Rulemaking

Idaho Fish and Game conducts numerous forms of rulemaking in compliance with the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act.

Rules passed by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, such as legal equipment definitions, controlled hunt requirements, allowable method of take, and tag quotas are considered rulemaking and must be adopted following the Idaho Administrative Procedure Act, including approval by the Idaho Legislature whose guidance is that formal negotiated rulemaking should be followed whenever feasible.

Public comment is an important part of rule development and will be used to determine feasibility of negotiated rulemaking. Please be aware that public comments will become part of the official public record. If you want to provide comments on one or more of the following proposals, you may do so within each rulemaking docket below.

Season Setting

Season setting includes timing and length, species and sex of animal (or fish), size of animal, and number of animals. Season regulations do not require legislative approval.

It is done through separate means and processes, and on a different webpage. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about wildlife management or enforcement, please contact a Fish and Game regional office.

Current Rulemaking

Docket and Description	Status
Docket No: 13-0102-2401 Rules Governing Mandatory Education, Mentored Hunting, and Shooting Ranges This rulemaking addresses a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommendation to adopt a bear identification test to avoid take of grizzly bear misidentification.	This rule is pending review and approval by the 2025 Idaho Legislature.
Docket No: 13-0104-2401 Rules Governing Licensing Zero-base Regulation Rulemaking: In accordance with the executive order, each rule chapter must be reviewed based on a schedule established by the Division of Financial Management and with the intent to simplify and streamline rule language and reduce regulatory burden.	This rulemaking was initiated in compliance with Governor Little’s Executive Order No. 2020-01 for Zero-Based Regulation.
Docket No. 13-0107-2401 Rules Governing Taking of Wildlife This rulemaking modifies four game management zones and clarifies language on regulatory actions.	This rule is pending review and approval by the 2025 Idaho Legislature.
Docket No. 13-0108-2401 Rules Governing Taking of Big Game Animals Zero-base Regulation Rulemaking: In accordance with the executive order, each rule chapter must be reviewed based on a schedule established by the Division of Financial Management and with the intent to simplify and streamline rule language and reduce regulatory burden.	This rulemaking was initiated in compliance with Governor Little’s Executive Order No. 2020-01 for Zero-Based Regulation.
Docket No: 13-0111-2401 Rules Governing Fish This rulemaking modifies rule sections to add a definition for “spearfishing,” expand opportunities for spearfishing to include take of certain game fish species and provide authority to the Commission through proclamation to determine seasons, fish species, and take limits for spearfishing.	This rule is pending review and approval by the 2025 Idaho Legislature.
Docket No: 13-0116-2401 Trapping of Wildlife and Taking of Furbearing Animals Zero-base Regulation Rulemaking: In accordance with the executive order, each rule chapter must be reviewed based on a schedule established by the Division of Financial Management and with the intent to simplify and streamline rule language and reduce regulatory burden.	This rulemaking was initiated in compliance with Governor Little’s Executive Order No. 2020-01 for Zero-Based Regulation.
Docket No: 13-0117-2401 Rules Governing Use of Bait for Hunting Big Game Animals Zero-base Regulation Rulemaking: This rulemaking adds a new section requiring a person placing or using bait for hunting black bear to report the presence of a grizzly bear at the site to the Department and to remove the bait from that location.	The Commission has approved temporary rules of which are adopted, effective September 1, 2024.

Idaho Code and Administrative Rules

Idaho Fish and Game laws are contained in Title 36 of Idaho Code. The Administrative Rules are made available on the Internet by the Office of Administrative Rules, Idaho Division of Financial Management. Official copies of the must be obtained through the Office of Administrative Rules.

Petitions and Comments

Rulemaking petitions and public comments on current rulemakings should be submitted at the link below. The form is for rulemaking only; all comments and petitions submitted will be considered official. This form is not intended to be used for season setting input or anything outside of the contents of Idaho Administrative Rules.

Submit a petition or comment