IDFG Hunt Planner
Animal Image (rotating)

Geographic data layers developed by the Department of Fish and Game and displayed on the Idaho Hunt Planner are available for download.

Two formats are currently available:

Need more direction? (pun intended)
  • Unsure which software to download? Read an overview of the required software.
  • Having trouble viewing the layers? Read detailed instructions on adding layers to geographic data viewers.

 

Geographic Data Layers

Data Layers Available for Download Metadata
(.xml)		 Shapefile
(.shp)*		 Google Earth
(.kml)* **
Game Management Units    3090 KB 7408 KB
Game Distributions    15372 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2007 - Turkey    600 KB 678 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2007 - Sheep    1146 KB 1320 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2007 - Moose    3986 KB 4622 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2007 - Goat    916 KB 1047 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2007 - Elk    5584 KB 6439 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2007 - Deer    5736 KB 6597 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2007 - Bear    295 KB 331 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2007 - Antelope    2194 KB 2521 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2006 - Turkey    567 KB 1354 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2006 - Sheep    934 KB 2274 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2006 - Moose    3916 KB 9638 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2006 - Goat    880 KB 2137 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2006 - Elk    5447 KB 13344 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2006 - Deer    5740 KB 14106 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2006 - Bear    296 KB 701 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2006 - Antelope    2310 KB 5625 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2005 - Sandhill Crane    90 KB 92 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2005 - Rocky Mtn Bighorn    793 KB 886 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2005 - Moose    3821 KB 4311 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2005 - Goat    834 KB 934 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2005 - Elk    5189 KB 5807 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2005 - Deer    5270 KB 5891 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2005 - California Bighorn    144 KB 153 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2005 - Bear    295 KB 322 KB
Controlled Hunt Areas 2005 - Antelope    2191 KB 2448 KB
Administrative Regions    1095 KB 1295 KB
Access Yes! Properties 2008    133 KB 527 KB
Access Yes! Properties 2007    159 KB 645 KB
Access Yes! Properties 2006    183 KB 71 KB
Access Yes! Properties 2005    121 KB 112 KB

* These files are in compressed zip format. In Windows XP you may use the compressed file directly. In other operating systems use WinZip, PKZip or a similiar compression/extraction utility to unzip the file before use.  Compression allows more rapid download speed.
** Caution! Large .kml files (such as the Game Management Units) may lock up older computers. If system does not respond you may have to shut down Google Earth using End Task in the Task Manager or hard boot by depressing the power button for longer than 10 seconds.

 

Required Software

Shapefiles (.shp)

One of the most commonly used formats for storing spatial data. A shapefile stores non-topological geometry and attribute information for the spatial features in a data set.  A shapefile consists of a set of 3 mandatory files, along with several optional files. Each file in the set shares the shapefile name with a different extension. The main file (*.shp) stores the geometry and must always have an index file (*.shx). A dBASE file (*.dbf) stores all the attributes of the shapes in the main file.  Additionally, a projection file (*.prj) stores the projection information.

Using ArcExplorer or other free and commercially available GIS viewers one may view, map, analyze and query geographic information. Additional background data layers may be downloaded from Inside Idaho Idaho's GeoSpatial Portal.

Download ArcExplorer a free GIS viewer by ESRI

Google Earth (.kml) formerly Keyhole

Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps and Google Search. While lacking some of the advanced query abilities of full blown GIS software Google Earth makes up for it with worldwide 3D imagery to serve as a backdrop to the data layers available.  Google Earth will only work on a broadband connection (DSL, Cable Modem, Ethernet).

Download Google Earth free version

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Download Instructions

  1. Download and install the appropriate software (ArcExplorer and/or Google Earth). If you are unsure which you would like to use, read more about the Required Software. Follow the installation instructions provided by the software vendor.
        Downloads:
    1. Download ArcExplorer
    2. Download Google Earth (broadband connetions only)

  2. Browse the Geographic Data Layers list to find layers that interest you. Note metadata (data describing data, sort of a detailed label about the data layer) is available to find out more about the layer before you start the download process:
    1. Displays information about the layer in classic FGDC (Federal Geographic Data Committee) format.
    2. Displays information about the layer in FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) format.

  3. Select a file by clicking the icon to begin downloading the layer, and save the file to a location on your hard drive where you will be able to locate it again (desktop is recommended). Note some files are quite large in size and may take from several seconds to an hour depending on your connection speed to download.
    1. Downloads the shapefile for the layer.
    2. Downloads the Google Earth file for the layer.

  4. Once download is complete you will need to uncompress the zipped file. In Windows XP, select the file and choose uncompress. In other operating systems use WinZip, PKZip or a similiar compression/uncompression utility to extract the file(s). Again, note where you have placed the extracted files.

  5. Now follow the directions for your software product:
    ESRI ArcExplorer
    1. Start ArcExplorer by double clicking on the icon found on your desktop
    2. Choose the Add Data button which looks like a plus symbol similiar to this: . In the dialog box that opens browse to the location of your downloaded data and choose "Add".
    3. You will likely want to download additional data from Inside Idaho or another GeoSpatial Portal to have some background data to view with the layer.
    4. For assistance in using ArcExplorer see the Help documentation provided.

    Google Earth (simple method if configured correctly)
    1. Double clicking the downloaded .kml file. Google Earth should initialize and the layer will be added to your temporary places.
    Google Earth (if the first method fails)
    1. Start Google Earth by double clicking on the icon found on your desktop
    2. In the upper text menu bar choose Add > Network Link and browse to the location where you have downloaded the .kml file. Give the new layer a name and choose "OK". Note there may be sustantial delays when first selecting the file and after choosing "OK"
    3. For assistance in using Google Earth see the Help documentation provided.
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