GMU · Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Unit 53
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 Unit 53
Unit 53 is a GMU in Idaho, United States, set by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. It covers about 4,678 km² (1,806 mi²). Towns inside it include Twin Falls, Jerome, Rupert, Heyburn, Wendell and Filer.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Idaho Department of Fish and Game's data for the 2026 season. The agency's regulations say which species and seasons use it.
- Unit code
- 53
- Area
- 4,678 km²
- Area (miles)
- 1,806 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,525 km² of public or protected land inside it, 33% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bureau of Land Management | 1,316 | 28% |
| Idaho Department of Lands | 128 | 3% |
| Idaho Department of Fish and Game | 59 | 1% |
| Unknown | 46 | under 1% |
| MINIDOKA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE | 10 | under 1% |
| Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge | 10 | under 1% |
| Idaho Parks and Recreation | 8.8 | under 1% |
| National Park Service | 1.4 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 5.4 | 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: 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cougar (mountain lion) | Jul 1, 2026 to Jun 30, 2027 | source |
| Grey wolf | Jul 1, 2026 to Jun 30, 2027 | source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Aug 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | source |
| American black bear | Aug 30, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026 | source |
| Mule deer | Aug 30, 2026 to Nov 6, 2026 | only the part of Unit 53 inside US 93, US 30, the Snake River (Gridley Bridge to King Hill), I-84 and US 26 (Filer-Bliss-Shoshone); the rest of the unit is controlled hunt only source |
| White-tailed deer | Aug 30, 2026 to Nov 6, 2026 | only the part of Unit 53 inside US 93, US 30, the Snake River (Gridley Bridge to King Hill), I-84 and US 26 (Filer-Bliss-Shoshone); the rest of the unit is controlled hunt only source |
| American black bear | Apr 15, 2027 to Jun 15, 2027 | 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
What HuntGrid shows for Unit 53
- 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 Unit 53 (GMU)?
About 4,678 km² (1,806 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Idaho Department of Fish and Game's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in Unit 53?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,525 km² of public or protected land, 33% of the unit; the largest share is managed by Bureau of Land Management. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for Unit 53?
This page lists 7 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 Unit 53?
In the same unit system: Unit 45, Unit 46, Unit 52, Unit 52A, Unit 54, Unit 55, Unit 56, Unit 57 and Unit 68.
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.