elk zone · Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Panhandle Elk Zone
Idaho, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About Panhandle Elk Zone
Panhandle Elk Zone is a elk zone in Idaho, United States, set by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. It covers about 20,149 km² (7,779 mi²). Towns inside it include Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Idaho Department of Fish and Game's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for Elk (wapiti).
- Unit code
- Panhandle
- Area
- 20,149 km²
- Area (miles)
- 7,779 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 11,805 km² of public or protected land inside it, 59% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Service Region 01 Northern | 9,610 | 48% |
| Idaho Department of Lands | 1,589 | 8% |
| Bureau of Land Management | 393 | 2% |
| Idaho Department of Fish and Game | 127 | under 1% |
| Idaho Parks and Recreation | 63 | under 1% |
| KOOTENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE | 11 | under 1% |
| Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge | 11 | under 1% |
| The Nature Conservancy | 9.2 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 7.1 | under 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – British Columbia; Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – British Columbia; U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against Idaho Department of Fish and Game's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Elk (wapiti) | Oct 25, 2026 to Oct 29, 2026 | antlered source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Dec 10, 2026 to Dec 16, 2026 | antlered, archery source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
Other hunting units that cover part of it
- Unit 1 (GMU)
- Canada Geese Area 3 (Canada goose area)
- Duck Area 3
- White-fronted Geese Area 4 (white-fronted goose area)
- Unit 4 (GMU)
- Light Geese Area 5 (light goose area)
- Unit 5 (GMU)
- Unit 6 (GMU)
- Deer controlled hunt area 1-1
- Deer controlled hunt area 1-1X
- Deer controlled hunt area 5-1X
- Elk controlled hunt area 1
- Elk controlled hunt area 1-1
- Elk controlled hunt area 1-2
- Elk controlled hunt area 4
- Elk controlled hunt area 5
- Elk controlled hunt area 5-1
- Elk controlled hunt area 6
- Goat controlled hunt area 7*
- Moose controlled hunt area 1-1*
- Moose controlled hunt area 1-3*
- Moose controlled hunt area 4
- Moose controlled hunt area 5
- Moose controlled hunt area 6
What HuntGrid shows for Panhandle Elk Zone
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is Panhandle Elk Zone?
About 20,149 km² (7,779 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Idaho Department of Fish and Game's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in Panhandle Elk Zone?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 11,805 km² of public or protected land, 59% of the unit; the largest share is managed by Forest Service Region 01 Northern. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for Panhandle Elk Zone?
This page lists 2 seasons a person has checked against Idaho Department of Fish and Game's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to Panhandle Elk Zone?
In the same unit system: Dworshak Elk Zone, Lolo Elk Zone and Palouse Elk Zone.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Licence: Idaho Department of Fish and Game (published with a no-warranty disclaimer). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The official regulations and maps have the final word.