How buying a gun in Pocatello works
Pick an FFL dealer near you that accepts shipped transfers and name it at checkout. We confirm their license and ship the firearm to them. Ammunition, optics and parts ship straight to your door where Idaho law allows.
Idaho has no purchase permit, no registration and no waiting period. A dealer sale runs on ATF Form 4473 and the federal NICS check. Federal age rules apply at a dealer: 21 for handguns and 18 for rifles and shotguns. Online orders ship to the Idaho FFL you choose, who runs the check and completes the transfer.
Dealers in these communities all work for Pocatello-area buyers:
- Chubbuck
- Inkom
- McCammon
- Lava Hot Springs
- American Falls
- Blackfoot
- Arimo
- Fort Hall
Carrying a gun in Bannock County
Idaho allows permitless concealed carry for adults 18 and older who can legally own a firearm. The Bannock County Sheriff issues two optional licenses: the standard concealed weapons license and the enhanced license, which needs more training and is honored by more states. Schools, courthouses and posted private property can still restrict carry.
Hunting near Pocatello
Idaho sells general deer and elk tags over the counter to residents and runs controlled hunts in some units. General any-weapon deer seasons commonly open in October in many units and close in late October or November. Check the current Idaho Fish and Game Big Game Seasons and Rules for your unit.
General deer tags are over the counter for Idaho residents, with controlled hunts in a few nearby units.
Mule deer and elk range through the Bannock Range and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest just outside town.
Public shooting ranges near Pocatello
The public ranges below are run or officially listed by state wildlife agencies and state forests near the cities we cover. Most ask for a hunting or fishing license, an access permit or a small daily fee, and some close for the season, so check the agency page before you drive out.
Source: State wildlife agency public range lists (Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia), September 2026. Distances are approximate; call or check the agency site before you drive out.