| Window | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Season | 15 SEP 2026 – 31 JAN 2027 | 139d |
As publishedSept 15, 2026 - Jan 31, 2027
Statewide open.Bag is separate (not aggregated) from gray partridge despite sharing the same season dates.
Chukar was first introduced to Nez Perce County in 1933 and had spread throughout most suitable habitat statewide by 1957; the season remains open statewide, but IDFG's own hunting-information page and independent hunting-press sources consistently converge on three regions holding the best populations: Clearwater, Magic Valley, and Southwest. The species is a habitat specialist for steep, arid, rocky terrain — canyon country lining the Snake River and its tributaries — rather than a generalist, so "statewide open" understates how concentrated the real population is on this specific terrain type within those three regions.
Idaho's chukar season runs statewide from September 15, 2026 through January 31, 2027, with a daily bag of 8 and 24 in possession, tracked separately from gray partridge despite sharing the same season dates. IDFG's statewide forecast, published September 4, 2026, reports a strong year in the Clearwater region, with strong chick survival, large broods, and robust populations, including especially encouraging numbers around Hells Canyon. The Southwest region also reports young birds in pockets despite this year's dry conditions, and the Salmon region reads average with some pockets of higher production. No region reported a decline.
Strong chick survival and brood production in the Clearwater region, including Hells Canyon, holding up even against this year's drought in other parts of the state.
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