Frequently Asked Questions

A: 

You asked why there is harvest of deer in the general season in Unit 44, shown on the web site, when there is no general season there for deer. Good catch! You’re right, there should be no general hunters in Unit 44. I have now fixed the web site. I investigated the data behind the estimate. Out of 136,000 reports filed, for deer, elk, and pronghorn, and 68,000 reports for general deer tags, just 45 reports said they hunted in Unit 44 and 7 said they harvested. This is less than 0.1% of the reports. These get extrapolated to an estimated 90 hunters and 14 deer harvested. Unit 44 is an especially desirable controlled deer hunt, and it is hard to draw a permit. It is distressing to think that some people would be illegally hunting in a closed unit. But my experience says that it is more likely to be an error in reporting the information. Someone might type in the wrong unit number from memory, or by a slip of the fingers. Someone might answer a phone call from our survey crew, and give the wrong unit by memory. Or the survey crew could rarely type it in wrong. Some hunters are young people, older people, or non-residents, who may not be as familiar with the numbers of the units, and more prone to error. Sometimes two tags get mixed up, or they mis-read the question. Obviously, the harvest estimates are only as good as the data that come into our database. We examine the reports closely, and work hard to fix or remove any records which seem to be invalid.  This is very time-consuming and slows us down in posting the data on our web site. We do our best to get the results out both accurately and quickly. Sorry that we missed this situation  We have fixed it now on the web site. Thank you for pointing it out to us.

A: 

All hunters who have been drawn will be notified by phone.  Due to privacy laws we can't publish or post the names of those drawn, unfortunately.

A: 

Yes, you can carry both weapons while you are hunting.

A: 

Most sporting goods stores and archery shops should have grain scales, used for either weighing bullets/powder or arrows.  When measuring arrow weight, make sure to include insert, shaft, broadhead, nock, and fletching.  Minimum arrow weight for hunting big game in Idaho is 300 grains, but many bowhunters prefer heavier arrows for large animals such as elk to ensure proper penetration.

A: 

Wildlife services can help you with that (208-378-5243).  

A: 

The list is online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/licenses/controlledHunts/?getPage=137.  They go on sale at all vendors on August 25 at 10:00 a.m. mountain time.

A: 

Contact the Salmon Region office at 208-756-2271 for information.

A: 

Henry's Lake is managed with a two trout limit.  No size restrictions apply but once an angler keeps two fish he may not continue to fish. Brook trout are counted in the two fish limit. 

A: 

    6 Kokanee is the limit for all waters in the southeast region.

A: 

  Yes, the bear involved in this case was identified as a grizzly bear based on DNA extracted from hair collected at the site and saliva collected from hunter's skin. 

A: 

It is not on my monthly fish request that is made by the reional fisheries manager, Joe Kozfkay 465-8465.  I think it may be because on water quality and sometimes it goes dry.  I would give him a call for a definite answer.

A: 

When West Nile Virus made its appearance in Idaho a few years back, magpies were one of the species that were heavily impacted by the disease. Their populations were noticeably reduced, but now they are starting to come back. Although we're not seeing them as frequently as we used to, they are still in Boise city limits and their numbers are increasing. Keep your eyes open for them!