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U.S. Navy to Commission Submarine Idaho (SSN 799) on Saturday, April 25

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(Department of War Press Release, April 24, 2026)

The Navy will commission the 26th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, the future USS Idaho (SSN 799), during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, April 25, at Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut.

The Honorable James Risch, U.S. Senator from Idaho, will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Additional speakers are set to include the Honorable Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator from Connecticut; the Honorable Brad Little, Governor of Idaho; the Honorable Michael Simpson, U.S. Representative from Idaho; the Honorable Joe Courtney, U.S. Representative from Connecticut; the Honorable Hung Cao, acting Secretary of the Navy; Adm. William Houston, Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program; and Mark Rayha, president, General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB).

The submarine’s sponsor, Teresa Stackley, is the daughter of a Navy Sailor and the spouse of the Honorable Sean Stackley, a former Naval officer who served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition from 2008 to 2017. In keeping with Navy tradition, Stackley will give the crew the order to “man our ship and bring her to life.” With the hoisting of the colors and commissioning pennant, acting Secretary Cao will formally place the ship in active service.

SSN 799 is the fifth Navy ship to be named for the state of Idaho. The first was a wooden-hulled steam sloop commissioned in 1866. The most recent was a New Mexico-class battleship, BB-42, which was commissioned in 1919. BB-42 participated in major Naval battles in the Pacific campaign from 1942 to 1945 and received seven battle stars for service in World War II.

Idaho is the 26th Virginia-class submarine co-produced by GDEB and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding through a long-standing teaming arrangement. The submarine is the 14th delivered by GDEB and the eighth Block IV-configured Virginia-class submarine. Idaho was christened March 16, 2024, at GDEB’s shipyard in Groton.

As it joins the fleet, Idaho brings significant warfighting capability, underscoring the Nation’s asymmetrical advantage at sea. Virginia-class fast-attack submarines have enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that enable them to meet the Navy’s multi-mission requirements.

Each Virginia-class submarine is 7,800 tons and 377 feet in length and has a beam of 34 feet. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship, reducing life-cycle costs while increasing underway time.

The commissioning of USS Idaho underscores the Navy’s commitment to building America’s Fleet of the Future. For 250 years, American naval power has projected strength globally. That mission continues – and intensifies. We operate forward 24/7, 365 days a year. This operational tempo demands continuous capability delivery, and the Fleet of the Future is our answer.

The commissioning ceremony will be streamed live at: https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/37488.

More information on the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine program can be found at: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2169558/attack-submarines-ssn

Guest Columnist Idaho Senator Christy Zito: The Time is Now

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April 23, 2026

The Time is Now

ID Senator Christy Zito (photo credit: Christy Zito)

Don’t let it be…

Too late to plant the crop of freedom.
Too late to harvest the blessings of liberty.

I was raised farming and ranching. There are things about that life that never leave you.

An urgency.
A sense that being late matters.
A quiet pressure to get done what must be done—before it’s too late.

In many ways, that mindset has served me well.

On the farm, you learn quickly:
You cannot put off until tomorrow what must be done today.

When an animal is sick, you act immediately—because there may not be another moment.
When the rain breaks, you cut and bale the hay—right then.
Tomatoes won’t wait. Onions won’t wait. The seasons don’t wait.

Timing is everything.

I’ve come to believe that every experience in life prepares us for the moment we’re in. There are no accidents. No wasted lessons. Even when things don’t turn out as expected, we don’t know if a different path would have been better.

The Illusion of “Just Another Election”

Every year, we hear: “This is the most important election of our lifetime.”

It’s easy to grow tired of that phrase.
But here’s the truth—every election is important.

Idaho is a conservative state.
But our legislature? Not always as conservative as the people it represents.

What Happens in Boise

I believe most candidates mean what they say when they first run. They campaign as conservatives with sincere intentions.

Then reality sets in.

There are lobbyists—many of them—paid to influence votes. They’re now often called “legislative advisors.” Some provide useful information, yes. But they are still funded by special interests.

And then there’s pressure.

Pressure to fit in.
Pressure to go along.
Pressure from relationships formed inside that building.

It’s real. I’ve experienced it firsthand.

And if you’re not grounded—if you’re not careful—that pressure can influence decisions.

The Hard Truth About Loyalty

Think about horse racing.

When someone bets on a horse and it loses, they come up with a hundred reasons why:
Bad track. Bad start. Wrong timing.

Football is the same. Fans stay loyal no matter how the team performs.

But politics isn’t a game.

Too often, we defend our “choice” instead of evaluating performance.
We blame everyone else instead of asking: Did this person represent me well?

We don’t need perfection.

But we do need accountability.

I believe in the 80% rule—if someone votes correctly 80% of the time, that’s strong representation.

But if they consistently fail to uphold constitutional principles, then it’s time for change.

Our Idaho Constitution gives us the answer—and the solution:
Elections every two years.

That is our accountability tool.
That is where vigilance matters.

We Don’t Have Time to Wait

Back to the farm.

There is no time to waste.

I have watched Idaho’s political landscape shift—quickly.
Issues we’re facing today would have been unthinkable just ten years ago.

Things are moving fast.

And here’s the truth:

Tomorrow may be too late.

Too late to plant the crop of freedom.
Too late to harvest the blessings of liberty.

A Warning Worth Watching

I encourage you to watch Rocky Mountain Heist.

https://citizensunitedmovies.com/programs/rocky-mountain-heist

It tells the story of how Colorado shifted from red to blue in just a few election cycles.

Then ask yourself:

Are we seeing the same patterns in Idaho?

Every Vote Matters

Every vote counts.

Every election matters.

And waiting for “next time” may cost us everything.

A Final Thought

This morning, I spoke with a gentleman from my district.

He called to tell me—very directly—that I was wrong on an issue.

What started as a tense conversation turned into something else entirely.

We talked about family.
About loss.
About fishing.

He had done something important:

He went to the source.
He didn’t rely on rumors.

We still disagreed on one issue—but we found common ground on many others.

That matters.

Do the Work

Idahoans still care.

They are paying attention.
They are asking questions.

Be part of that movement.

Do your research.
Think critically.
And don’t accept negative claims without verifying them yourself.

Because tomorrow may be too late.

God bless,

Senator Christy Zito,
Idaho State Senate
District 8,
Protecting Freedom for Future Generations

P.S. If you haven’t already, subscribe to my Substack (zitoforidaho.substack.com) for straight talk from the Capitol and updates you won’t get from the mainstream press. Let’s stay connected and stay strong. See you at the polls on May 19!

Guest Column – ID GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon: It’s Time for Republicans to Step Up

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April 23, 2026 (Cover image credit: IDGOP FB)

It’s Time for Republicans to Step Up

By: Dorothy Moon, IDGOP Chairwoman

Dorothy Moon, Chairwoman of the Idaho Republican Party

It’s time to recognize what time it is. In 2024, President Trump fell 5% short in Virginia, a state that elected a Republican governor just a few years ago. This week, following the lead of Virginia’s new radical left-wing governor, the state narrowly voted to redraw its congressional districts—turning a map that favored Democrats 6–5 into one that could leave only a single Republican representing the state in Congress.

This is one of the most blatant displays of raw political power I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, it’s not surprising. It comes from the same party that spent four years during the Biden administration jailing its political opponents, persecuting pro-life activists, and using every lever of the federal government to impose its radical ideology on the country.

What time is it? It’s the time Ronald Reagan warned us about when he said, “Freedom is a fragile thing, and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people.”

We’ve seen where left-wing totalitarianism leads, and it isn’t pretty. But America is not beyond saving—if we take the threats before us seriously.

I was gratified to see the Department of Justice indict the Southern Poverty Law Center for secretly and dishonestly funding the very organizations it claims to oppose. For years, the SPLC has smeared conservative organizations like the Family Research Council, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Turning Point USA as if they were no different from the KKK.

Along with their political and media allies, they’ve gone after anyone with traditional conservative beliefs—censoring them, persecuting them, and trying to make them unemployable. Believe me, I know.

Finally, we have a president and an administration that are fighting back. Finally, we have a leader who knows what time it is and understands that we cannot roll over and allow the radical left to take over this country.

But Republicans across America need to step up. Look at what’s at stake here in Idaho: the 2030 census will create a third congressional district. If lawmakers don’t act soon, those new district boundaries will be drawn by a “bipartisan” commission—even though Idaho has more than five times as many registered Republicans as Democrats.

We could easily end up with a Boise-dominated third district—and a Democrat representing Idaho in Congress—if our leaders don’t act soon.

I know some people find politics distasteful. I get it; we all want to be left alone to live our lives. But the side that wants to win will always beat the side that wants to be left alone. Reagan was right—this is our time, our battle, and we must fight it now so that our grandchildren can enjoy the blessings of a free country.

Slow Down to Keep Crews Safe During Work Zone Awareness Week

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(Idaho Power Press Release, April 23, 2026)

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week — the perfect opportunity to remind drivers to use caution around work zones.

Idaho Power is also asking drivers to help keep their work crews safe near roadways, as they’ve seen numerous close calls in the past few months.

Remember:

  • Slow down when driving near utility or construction crews.
  • Give crews plenty of space.
  • Watch for flaggers and traffic control.
  • Follow all lane restrictions.

Everyone has somewhere to be, and they all want to get there quickly, but nothing is more important than safety. Idaho Power is committed to helping keep the communities they serve safe, and they ask for your help keeping their employees — your local neighbors and friends — safe along the way.

City of Pocatello Receives Chief Pocatello Print from Local Artist

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(City of Pocatello Press Release, April 23, 2026)

Tal Sampson’s portrait of young Chief Pocatello

The City of Pocatello is proud to announce a generous donation from local artist Tal Sampson, who has gifted the City a print of a young Chief Pocatello. The piece is now on display in the City Council Chambers, where it hangs alongside another painting, an original, previously donated by Sampson.

This latest addition honors the legacy of Chief Pocatello, a prominent leader of the Shoshone people, and adds to the cultural and historical significance of the Council Chambers space. Sampson’s work reflects a deep appreciation for the region’s heritage and helps tell the story of the community.

Sampson was recently recognized during a regular City Council meeting by the Mayor and City Council for his artistic contributions and generous donation. A second print of the painting will also be displayed at the Idaho State Capitol, further showcasing the piece and its connection to the region’s history.

“We are grateful to Tal Sampson for sharing his talent and for this meaningful contribution,” said Mayor Mark Dahlquist. “Artwork like this not only enhances our public spaces but also connects residents and visitors to the rich history of Pocatello.”

Members of the public are welcome to stop by City Hall, 911 N. 7th Avenue, during regular business hours to view the print in person. The City Council Chambers, where the artwork is displayed, is open to the public.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the policy of the City of Pocatello to offer its public programs, services, and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.  If you are disabled and require an accommodation, please contact Skyler Beebe with two (2) business days’ advance notice at sbeebe@pocatello.gov; 208.234.6248; or 5815 South 5th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho.  Advance notification within this guideline will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility.

Department of War Showcases Progress on Golden Dome for America, the Nation’s Next-Generation Homeland Defense

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(Department of War Press Release, April 23, 2026)

Senior leaders from the Department of War, U.S. government, and defense industry gathered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, April 23, to provide an update about Golden Dome for America (GDA), the nation’s initiative to build a next-generation missile defense shield to protect the Homeland.

Speakers included Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering and the Department of War’s Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael; Director of Golden Dome for America Gen. Mike Guetlein; and Deputy Director of Operations at North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Maj. Gen. Mark Piper.

The event, set against a backdrop of current missile defense capabilities, underscored the urgent need to modernize the nation’s defenses against a new generation of advanced threats, as directed by President Trump.

“Golden Dome is the decisive response to a new era of threats,” said Gen. Mike Guetlein, Director of Golden Dome for America. “We are moving with purpose and urgency to forge a shield that is layered, integrated, and automated. The progress on display today is tangible proof that this is not a future concept, but a reality we must build now.”

GDA is a layered defense architecture designed to protect the United States from complex ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, as well as advanced aerial threats. It enhances national security by integrating a persistent space-based sensor network for global tracking, a portfolio of advanced interceptors providing defense-in-depth, and an integrated command and control system to manage threats at machine speed.

The program’s momentum was a central theme, with officials confirming GDA is ahead of schedule and on budget. Key achievements highlighted include the completion of the initial architecture blueprint, the establishment of a Command-and-Control Consortium, and the awarding of active contracts for critical system components.

Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, spoke to the program’s innovative foundation.

“It is this Department’s mandate to definitively secure our homeland,” said Under Secretary Michael. “We are embracing an open architecture that harnesses the full power of American innovation—from artificial intelligence to the commercial space industry—to build the impenetrable shield that this nation deserves.”

During remarks, the operational imperative for capabilities was validated by Piper.

“From a NORAD and NORTHCOM perspective, the requirement is clear,” said Maj. Gen. Piper. “To defend North America and win tomorrow’s fight, we must maintain our warfighting advantages and operate beyond stovepiped systems operating at human speed. Golden Dome is forging the integrated, automated battle management network needed to see every threat, make decisions in milliseconds, and keep America safe.”

The choice of Hampton Roads for the event underscored the region’s role in the national endeavor. The area hosts testing for the Army Long-Range Persistent Surveillance (ALPS), a key terrestrial sensor whose data directly informs the development of the broader GDA architecture.

Department officials explained GDA is a fiscally responsible, vital investment in national security. The program’s modular, open-systems approach is designed to control costs and provide sustained, predictable demand signals to the U.S. industrial base, ensuring the nation can outpace emerging threats for decades to come.

Hawthorne Middle School to Resume Regular Schedule Friday, April 24

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(Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 Press Release, April 23, 2026; Cover image credit: SD25 FB)

Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 confirms that Hawthorne Middle School will resume its regular school schedule on Friday, April 24.

The facility issue that prompted Thursday’s closure has been addressed, and the school is ready to welcome learners and staff back to campus.

All classes and activities will proceed as scheduled. We appreciate the community’s understanding as we work to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all.

This update has been shared with Hawthorne Middle School staff and families.

Guest Columnist Wayne Hoffman: The Measure of a Man

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April 22, 2026

The Measure of a Man

By: Idaho Freedom Foundation President-Emeritus Wayne Hoffman

Wayne Hoffman, President-Emeritus, Idaho Freedom Foundation

House Bill 461, introduced late in the 2025 legislative session, would have required the state to run an analysis of the Idaho Launch program to determine its effectiveness. I won’t bore you with all the details, but essentially the question is: “Does this program help the state the way Gov. Brad Little and other proponents promised it would help the state?”

If you don’t remember, in 2023, the governor asked for, and the Legislature approved, a law to spend tens of millions of dollars on giving up to $8,000-per-applicant grants to high school graduates who pursue training for a state-designated “in-demand” career. These careers include everything from office clerks to welders to HVAC installers and nursing assistants.

Politicians might consider the program to be “successful” if students follow through on their training and the state gets a return on the taxpayers’ investment. While ordinarily such a review might be considered desirable in a business context, government is not a business. Therefore, it is important to consider one other important factor that defies the kind of measurement government officials tend to look for: What harm does this do to the individual’s personal path toward human flourishing?

We are all born with unique gifts and talents, and it is an inherent right to pursue those gifts and talents in any way that’s peaceful. Yet Launch intervenes in this process. It is designed to be highly compelling to a high school student who enjoys free money. A young person might want to be an entrepreneur, artist, musician, or candlestick maker, but the strong financial incentive risks steering him toward the state’s list of “in-demand” careers.

This, then, can interfere with the very fabric of a person’s being, potentially taking him on a path of pursuits that may not align with his deepest calling, which the government cheers on. He might, then, be completely miserable in the job he’s been guided toward, but the government can be satisfied that, according to its spreadsheet of cost versus return on investment, one of the state-selected job categories got filled.

Shaping someone’s life in this manner becomes a dangerous thing. Sure, the government’s data would show that there are fewer job openings. The in-demand careers have all been filled. Warm bodies now occupy the designated cubicles and professions, and this is reflected in the state’s accounting of the program’s supposed success.

But at what cost? Did the government’s influence on his life trajectory leave a person in a job he never would have considered but for the government’s incentive? Did it affect his relationships? His pursuit of marriage? His mental or physical health? Will we ever know? Will we ever care to know?

When we put the state ahead of the individual, the results get messy. Lives are irrevocably altered. Humans struggle to flourish when their life’s pursuits are put on hold or redirected to satisfy political workforce targets. And this is the result that defies measurement, but it is perhaps the most important one of all.

This article first appeared on the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s website, here.

Gov. Little Spotlights Priorities in “Enduring Idaho” Plan

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(Governor’s Office Press Release, April 22, 2026)

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little outlined the key takeaways in his ENDURING IDAHO plan, which the Legislature adopted during the 2026 legislative session.

The Governor’s ENDURING IDAHO plan is a balanced FY 2026 and FY 2027 budget that reflects Idaho’s long-standing commitment to fiscal responsibility and long-term stability. The Idaho Legislature stuck to his recommendations for thoughtful, measured spending adjustments that preserve Idaho’s financial strength and coveted AAA credit rating.

The plan also protects what matters most to the long-term prosperity of our state by:

  • BALANCING THE BUDGET: Just like Idaho families must live within their means, Governor Little and the Legislature balanced the budget without raising taxes.
  • DELIVERING TAX CUTS: Protecting Idahoans from higher taxes is the right long-term decision, made possible by Idaho’s strong reserves, low debt, and disciplined budgeting. We conformed with the new Trump tax cuts, putting more money in Idahoans’ pockets while keeping Idaho’s tax system simple, fair, predictable, and competitive.
  • PROTECTING PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Since Governor Little took office, state support for public education has increased 70 percent. Much of the investments focused on better compensation and benefits for public school teachers. To continue our firm commitment to education, we protected public school funding and utilized the Public Education Stabilization Fund to cover any statutorily required increases for FY 2027.
  • SUPPORTING TRUMP’S TALENT STRATEGY THROUGH LAUNCH: We protected funding for Idaho LAUNCH, helping President Trump achieve his vision of fighting for the American worker.
  • MAINTAINING WATER AND TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENTS: We preserved water infrastructure funding championed last year to secure Idaho’s water sovereignty and protect our agriculture economy and future energy development. We protected funding for critical transportation infrastructure projects (TECM) and passed an additional $20 million in FY27 for additional bonding of for Idaho roads.
  • PROMOTING SAFE COMMUNITIES: Idahoans greatly value safe communities. Reductions were minimized for the Idaho Department of Correction and the Idaho State Police to maintain operational priorities and avoid furloughs and layoffs so the state can keep crime off our streets. The Legislature also answered Governor Little’s call for increased state trooper pay.
  • INVESTING IN HEALTHCARE: We took steps to improve rural healthcare through new grants that strengthen healthcare delivery and affordability across rural Idaho, and we invested nearly $1 million in programs that address the physician shortage.
  • SUPPORTING GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY: We merged together agencies with similar missions and took steps to clean up state code and remove outdated, duplicative, or unnecessary statutes, making state government more transparent, easier to navigate, and less burdensome for citizens and businesses.

Read highlights from the ENDURING IDAHO plan at this link: https://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/fy27-budget-highlights.pdf

Hunter Harvest Report: Elk and Mule Deer Keep On Climbing in 2025

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(Idaho Fish and Game Press Release, April 10, 2026)

An EHD outbreak in summer 2025 might’ve contributed to a drop in whitetail harvest.

It’s that time of year again. As we foam at the mouth anticipating which hunting units, weekends, and drainages to scope out this fall, here’s a summary of how last fall went, thanks to hunter harvest reporting.

Let’s kick off this year’s harvest summary with the one species that didn’t see an increase from the previous year: whitetails.

White-tailed deer harvest typically hovers around the 22,000 mark, and last year’s harvest wasn’t too far off from that. Hunters still have room for celebration, as the year’s harvest could’ve looked a lot different—but more on that in a bit.

Last year’s 19,702 whitetail harvest still sits right in line with the 10-year average, which despite a handful of EHD outbreaks during the past decade, still continue to flourish. Despite slipping a bit from the 2024 hunter harvest, last fall’s harvest has Fish and Game biologists nodding their heads with optimism as we round out the final weeks of winter and approach this year’s hunting season.

Mule deer (or, technically speaking, mule deer hunters) are the biggest winners from the 2025 fall season. Harvest of muleys jumped 2.8% from 2024, or put another way, 691 more animals during this past year’s harvest. That’s worth noting, considering some of the state’s population had a rough go of it during the winter of ’22 and ‘23.

Fortunately for them, the past few Idaho winters have been some of the mildest in recent years, including this past winter which (for now) has been Club Med for mule deer. But as Fish and Game biologists point out, mild to nonexistent winters can have reverse effects come later in the summer.

Finally, on to elk.

Elk hunters also had a successful fall, accounting for a 2.4% increase (or 509 animals) from 2024. As we’ve covered every year in these annual reports, elk don’t feel the impact of weather nearly as bad as their long-eared or white-tailed cousins.

Last year’s harvest landed at 101% of the 10-year average (21,249), which makes it about as close to a “normal” harvest as you can get with fluctuating annual harvests.

ELK

By the numbers

  • Total elk harvest in 2025: 21,505
  • 2024 harvest total: 20,996
  • Overall hunter success rate: 23%
  • Antlered: 13,263
  • Antlerless: 8,242
  • Taken during general hunts: 13,524 (18% success rate)
  • Taken during controlled hunts: 7,981 (40% success rate)

How it stacks up

There’s nothing exactly to write home about if you look at last year’s elk harvest. Across the board, harvest totals and success percentages are pretty standard when compared to the previous nine years. Sure, there might be a 2-3% increase/decrease from year to year, but in the grand scheme of things, that’s marginal. And remember, these numbers pour in from every corner of the state—not one specific elk zone or hunting unit.

Take a look at the chart below.

elk harvest 10-year harvest

There isn’t a whole lot of fluctuation within the 10-year average (indicated by the dotted yellow line) and each year’s harvest tally, represented by the brown bar graphs.

Fish and Game wildlife managers point out that based on hunter harvest, aerial surveys, and survival data, elk populations are doing very well—not to mention a couple of real bright spots.

“Harvest of six-point bulls is the highest it’s been in five years,” said Fish and Game’s Deer and Elk Coordinator, Toby Boudreau. “We’re also seeing a 14% bump in total harvest since 2023.” 

Now, not to read the tea leaves and get too far out ahead of this year’s coming elk season, but this seems like a good spot to bring up that “headscratcher” of a harvest dip in the 2023 season. After all, elk populations were healthy and stable following that previous winter and into summer.

That mild winter (which was a godsend following the brutal 2022-23 winter) was incredibly dry, but that summer, however, benefitted from ample precipitation, greening up elk summer range and thus keeping them fat and happy at higher-than-normal elevations. Last year’s summer did not play out that way.

Currently, as we crawl out of one of the driest, warmest winters experienced in recent decades, only time will tell if we see another similar trend in fall 2026. Successful elk hunters, believe it or not, go where the elk are. And when pitiful snowpacks and peak summer temperatures start blistering the landscape in June or even late-spring, those elk tend to go where the resources are, so keep that in mind.

We will definitely dive deeper into this year’s hunting outlook more as the season approaches and environmental conditions play out, but the reason I bring this up is to keep it in the back of your mind as you begin scouting your usual honey holes later in June and July.

MULE DEER

By the numbers

  • Total mule deer harvest in 2025: 24,588
  • 2024 harvest total: 23,898
  • Overall hunter success rate: 32%
  • Antlered: 21,539
  • Antlerless: 3,050
  • Taken during general hunts: 18,655 (28% success rate)
  • Taken during controlled hunts: 5,933 (52% success rate)

How it stacks up

Much like elk, the 2025 mule deer harvest doesn’t really bring up any red flags. Last year’s harvest was well-within the 10-year average, which if you note the presence of the seemingly astronomical 2016 harvest in the chart below, is still hovering right below 25,452 (10-year average).

2026 graph md 10 yr harvest

Estimated number of mule deer hunters did bump up by nearly 2,500, accounting for the same exact success percentage as last year (32%). Even general and controlled hunt success mirrored that of the previous year.

“Last year, we saw more Idaho hunters returning to hunt mule deer,” said Boudreau. 

The big divot in mule deer harvest came in 2023, which was to be expected. By now, nearly every mule deer article written since that winter has alluded to that hit in population, specifically in regard to eastern Idaho’s deer herds, so I won’t beat that horse to death.

The reason I bring up that year’s harvest though is to show that muley populations are rebounding, particularly in those units impacts by that brutal winter.

As the saying goes, “hunters kill elk, winters kill deer.” And with the passing now of two utterly feeble winters, mule deer continue to rebuild their herds. But the gravy train only runs when there’s ample water and food, which hot, dry summers can negate heading into the months after.

With all that said, muley hunters can chalk up last year as a win, with increases in success rates and 4-point harvest since 2022-23. This signals that after losing a significant amount of fawns during that winter, there is a new crop of bucks that are reaching maturity.

WHITE-TAILED DEER

By the numbers

  • Total white-tailed deer harvest in 2025: 19,702
  • 2024 harvest total: 20,908
  • Overall hunter success rate: 38%
  • Antlered: 13,302
  • Antlerless: 6,400
  • Taken during general hunts: 18,237 (37% success rate)
  • Taken during controlled hunts: 1,465 (40% success rate)

Wildlife managers anticipated a slight drop in the 2025 harvest. The culprit? The same offender that reared its head back in 2018 and 2021: EHD.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is the biggest harvest factor and an unfortunate reality for Idaho’s white-tailed deer. EHD occurs periodically in Idaho’s Clearwater and Panhandle regions, typically during hot summers and during drought, and sadly, that’s likely to continue in the future.

wtd 10-year harvest 2025

Fortunately, most EHD breakouts affect a relatively small percentage of the deer population—although it can have a larger effect on local herds—but the effect is typically short lived.

Last year’s EHD outbreak popped up in late July and August, paving the way for potentially another low-harvest year; however, statewide harvest held steady.

Estimating the actual number of deer lost during an EHD outbreak is extremely difficult. However, based on the number of reports received at that time, the 2025 outbreak proved to be similar in severity to the 2021 event.

Leading up to fall, wildlife managers chose not to alter the 2025 whitetail season. The Clearwater Region—where the bulk of the outbreak took place—had strong populations overall, and despite some localized losses, deer numbers across much of the region remained robust and well above concern.

Based on experience with past outbreaks in Idaho and neighboring states, recovery typically occurs within three to five years, depending on habitat conditions and winter survival. While EHD outbreaks can cause sudden and visible losses in localized areas, white-tailed deer populations are well adapted to recover from these events.

Fish and Game wildlife managers will continue to monitor white-tailed deer herds, particularly in those two regions, as we approach summer. But statewide, whitetails are doing well in much of the state, including five-points, which are still holding steady over 20%—a solid sign that mature bucks are still making up a good portion of the population.

A note on Unit 73A’s muzzleloader and archery-only season

While this is a statewide harvest recap, it is worth mentioning Unit 73A’s inaugural muzzleloader and archery-only general season mule deer hunt and how it played out.

Following recommendations developed by an advisory committee working group composed of Idaho hunters and Fish and Game wildlife managers, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted new seasons in Unit 73A that changed the any-weapon general season to muzzleloader and archery-only for the 2025 season.

As expected, both hunter participation and success rates in 2025 decreased markedly. Wildlife managers are using GPS collared mule deer, aerial surveys, and hunter information to closely monitor how this weapon-type change to the general season influences the mule deer buck population as well as the behaviors and experiences of hunters.

Wildlife managers estimate that buck populations will be higher heading into the 2026 hunt. Fish and Game staff in the Southeast Region will have more information in the coming weeks regarding the Unit 73A mule deer hunt change and what it may look like heading into this fall.

Hunters: You make these kinds of insights possible

This might shock a few people, but knowing how many deer and elk get harvested by hunters every year depends on, well, hunters.

Your involvement gives wildlife managers important hunt and harvest information that directly goes into gauging herd health across the state, figuring out where and how much hunting pressure takes place, and ultimately setting seasons and rules for the future hunting seasons.

This is conservation at its core, folks. Nobody’s asking you for GPS coordinates or bullet weight or what flavor Mountain House you packed. It’s “Did you harvest—yes or no?”

Hunters, take pride in knowing you’re doing your part to ensure game populations remain healthy and resilient and ensuring each species will still be there to hunt for your kids, the next generations.

Now, the moment has already come and gone to fill out hunter reports for last fall, but this is a reminder that better information means better management, which in turn can mean more hunting opportunity because a lack of good data can mean shorter hunting seasons and/or fewer tags.

I know it still feels like a century between now and the fall 2026 hunting season, but take this simple reminder and file it away. Make it a tradition every year. Do whatever you think it will take to remind yourself to fill out your mandatory hunter report after next fall’s hunt.

It’s your big game herds, so take pride in how they’re managed and conserved.