Idaho controlled hunt 2053: antlerless elk, area 11A
In Idaho Fish and Game's 2026 drawing, 153 hunters chose hunt 2053 first, for 150 tags: 148 of 151 residents drew (98%) and 2 of 2 nonresidents (100%). In 2025, 108 hunters on this hunt took 28 elk, a 26% harvest success by IDFG's count. The 2026 season is October 20 to December 31, 2026: antlerless elk, any weapon.
Data updated October 2026. Draws: IDFG's 2026 and 2025 controlled hunt drawing results. Harvest: IDFG's harvest statistics through 2025. Season: IDFG Hunt Planner, 2026.
| Species and take | Antlerless elk |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Any weapon |
| Season, 2026 | October 20 to December 31, 2026 |
| Tags in the 2026 drawing | 150 (12 more offered in the second drawing) |
| Hunt area | 11A, 528,475 acres |
| Unit | 11A |
| Elk zone | Palouse |
| Public land in the area | 1% (IDFG's land manager figures) |
| Towns in the area | Grangeville, Orofino, Kamiah and Cottonwood |
How many applied for hunt 2053, and how many drew?
Idaho draws controlled hunt tags at random, with no points: each application gets a random number, and tags go to first choices in that order before any second choice is looked at. In 2026, 150 of the 150 tags went to first choices. In a hunt with more than 19 tags, no more than 10 percent may go to nonresidents; with 19 or fewer, no more than one (brochure page 109).
| Drawing year | Tags | First-choice applicants | Residents who drew | Nonresidents who drew | Second choices: drew of applied | Second drawing: tags issued of offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 150 | 153 | 148 of 151 (98%) | 2 of 2 (100%) | 0 of 128 | 12 of 12 |
| 2025 | 150 | 134 | 132 of 132 (100%) | 2 of 2 (100%) | 16 of 92 | 18 of 18 |
Source: IDFG, elk controlled hunt drawing odds, 2026 and 2025, first and second drawings. "Drew" is IDFG's count of tags issued to that group's first choices; the percentage is worked out from IDFG's two figures.
How has the draw for hunt 2053 changed?
IDFG's records go back to 2012 for this hunt: 108 first-choice applicants for 150 tags then, 153 for 150 in 2026.
| Year | Hunt number that year | Tags | First-choice applicants | First choices who drew | Residents: applied, drew | Nonresidents: applied, drew |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2053 | 150 | 153 | 150 (98%) | 151, 148 | 2, 2 |
| 2025 | 2053 | 150 | 134 | 134 (100%) | 132, 132 | 2, 2 |
| 2024 | 2053 | 150 | 131 | 131 (100%) | 129, 129 | 2, 2 |
| 2023 | 2053 | 150 | 133 | 133 (100%) | 131, 131 | 2, 2 |
| 2012 | 2053 | 150 | 108 | 108 (100%) | 106, 147 | 2, 3 |
First drawing only. IDFG's Hunt Planner lists these years for this hunt, under the hunt number (and, where it differs, the area) used that year (Hunt Planner, hunt 2053). IDFG rounds its success percentages.
What is the harvest success on hunt 2053?
In 2025, 108 hunters reported on hunt 2053 and 28 took an animal: 26% success, over 1,207 days of hunting. In 2024 it was 36 taken by 108 hunters, 33% success in IDFG's figures. Across the 4 most recent years in the table, 25% of hunters took an animal.
| Year | Hunt number that year | Hunters | Harvest | Success | Days hunted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2053 | 108 | 28 | 26% | 1,207 |
| 2024 | 2053 | 108 | 36 | 33% | 941 |
| 2023 | 2053 | 114 | 22 | 19% | 1,011 |
| 2012 | 2053 | 121 | 25 | 21% | 1,280 |
IDFG's success percentages are its own and can differ slightly from harvest divided by hunters. From IDFG's mandatory hunter reports and check stations, as its Hunt Planner prints them for this hunt (hunt 2053) and its harvest statistics.
Where is hunt area 11A?
IDFG's description of hunt area 11A: All of Unit 11A.
It covers 528,475 acres.
| Land manager in area 11A | Share |
|---|---|
| Private | 83.95% |
| Indian Reservation / Bureau of Indian Affairs | 15.28% |
Land cover, by IDFG's figures for the area: dryland agriculture 98.72% and forest 1.28%.
National forest: Nezperce National Forest. Check the forest's road and area closures before you go.
Towns IDFG lists in the area: Grangeville (US 95), Orofino (US 12), Kamiah (US 12), Cottonwood (US 95), Craigmont / Winchester (US 95) and Kooskia (US 12 Idaho 13).
Area facts: IDFG Hunt Planner, hunt area 11A; land managers from IDFG's surface management data (Inside Idaho), land cover from IDWR.
What rules come with hunt 2053?
- Antlerless Elk. Only elk without antlers or with antlers shorter than 6 inches may be taken in any season which is open for antlerless elk only.
- Very limited access due to private property.
Other 2026 controlled hunts in area 11A
| Hunt | Species and take | Weapon | Season | Tags | First-choice applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1004 | Antlered mule deer or white-tailed deer | Any weapon | Oct 10 to Nov 3 | 50 | 177 |
| 1005 | Antlered mule deer or white-tailed deer | Any weapon | Nov 10 to Nov 30 | 25 | 165 |
| 1069 | Antlered or antlerless mule deer or white-tailed deer | Archery only | Aug 30 to Sep 30 | 75 | 2 |
| 1100 | Antlered or antlerless mule deer or white-tailed deer | Any weapon | Oct 10 to Dec 31 | 25 | 125 |
Questions hunters ask
How many people applied for Idaho hunt 2053 in 2026?
153 hunters listed hunt 2053 as their first choice in IDFG's 2026 drawing, for 150 tags. 148 of 151 resident first choices drew, and 2 of 2 nonresident first choices.
What is the harvest success on Idaho hunt 2053?
IDFG reports 108 hunters took 28 elk on hunt 2053 in 2025, 26% success. Over the last 4 years IDFG lists for this hunt, 25% of hunters took an animal.
When is Idaho hunt 2053 in 2026?
October 20 to December 31, 2026. It is antlerless elk, any weapon, in hunt area 11A (IDFG Hunt Planner).
Which units are in Idaho hunt area 11A?
IDFG describes hunt area 11A as: "All of Unit 11A." It covers 528,475 acres.
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Where these numbers come from
- Drawing: IDFG controlled hunt drawing odds, 2025 and 2026.
- History, harvest and area: IDFG Hunt Planner, hunt 2053 and hunt area 11A; IDFG harvest statistics.
- Season and rules: IDFG, Idaho Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules and the Hunt Planner; nonresident limit from the big game brochure, page 109.
FilledTag is not part of Idaho Fish and Game. Hunt numbers change from year to year: use the current brochure when you apply. Nothing on this page predicts a future draw.
Idaho elk draw results Unit 11A Palouse Zone Idaho deadlines and fees