Idaho’s Deer Harvest Reaches Banner Year in 2015

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX) – Idaho saw a banner year in 2015 for deer hunting, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, including an all-time record in the number of whitetail deer harvested.

The number of whitetails harvested was 30,568. Combined whitetail and mule deer harvest reached 68,764 – the highest number since 1991. In all, 151,799 hunters spread across the state in an effort to bag a big buck or other deer.

“Overall success rate for deer hunters in 2015, including general seasons and controlled hunts, was a whopping 45 percent,” reads the Fish and Game news release.

Elk harvest also saw significant numbers. More than 90,000 elk hunters increased the state harvest of their game by nearly 4,000 over numbers from 2014. That year total elk harvested was 20,700, but in 2015 it was 24,543 – the highest number since 1996.

“Combined hunter success for general elk seasons and controlled hunts was 27 percent,” the release states.