Frequently Asked Questions
We get a lot of questions. We post here answers to questions we're being asked frequently. If you have a question not answered here, please contact us. Urgent questions should be directed to your nearest office. Some answers change over time; please take note of the "answered" date.
Displaying 2676 - 2700 of 3534 questionsA:
Natural mortality (excluding harvest) for salmon between Lower Granite Dam and hatchery facilites varies by facility and year but typically is not more than 5%. So if there were no harvest in Idaho and 10,000 hatchery fish crossed Lower Granite Dam 9,500 or more would make it back to hatcheries. Some portion of the 5% that do not make it back to hatcheries die or are eaten by predators during their upstream migration and others stray into other streams and spawn naturally.answered 7/2/2012
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All fisheries are managed so that fish that would return to hatcheries in excess of brood stock needs can be harvested. IDFG and Idaho's Indian tribes share the harvestable portion of the run 50:50. That is, sport fisheries are managed to harvest 50% of the fish in excess of brood stock needs.answered 7/2/2012
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Immobilizing drugs are sometimes used to capture and restrain a variety of wildlife for management, research, and public safety purposes in situations where other methods of capture are not practical. The meat is deemed unfit for consupmption by humans or animals for a time period after the drug is administered. Please contact IDFG's health daboratory at 208-454-7638, who will know when the animal was drugged and if you can safely consume the meat.answered 7/2/2012
Q: In a big game hunt that is specifically designated short range weapons only, is it lawful to utilize a scope on a muzzleloader?
Furthermore, do other muzzleloader regulations apply? (ie, powder type, ball type, rifle style, etc...)A:
The caliber requirements for muzzleloaders specified on p76 still apply to the short-range weapons seasons, but otherwise, muzzleloader use during the short-range weapons seasons is not limited to the same restrictions specified for the muzzleloader only seasons. That is, you could legally use a scope, sabotted bullets, Pelletized powder, closed ignition system, etc. Please be cognizant of safety though. Many short range weapons hunts are in place to allow hunting where it would not be considered safe to allow use of regular rifle calibers. Although legal, Using a muzzleloader geared up to take shots in 200+ yd range may present safety issues.answered 7/1/2012
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Idaho residents receiving SSDI qualify for a reduced price hunting and fishing license. The cost is $5.00. Tags and permits are not reduced in price, however. The “hunt from a vehicle” permit is not included in the disabled license; to get this separate permit you must get a doctor’s signature on an a Fish and Game application form, which can be obtained at any Fish and Game office or by calling 208-334-3700 or online at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/licenses/disVehicle.pdf.answered 7/1/2012
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Twelve (12) years of age. A person under twelve (12) must be accompanied by a licensed adult to possess a firearm in the field for hunting. Idaho Code Section 36-1508(b).answered 7/1/2012
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Idaho Parks and Recreation sells them. The link to their Website and more information is http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/idahoinvasivespeciesfund.aspx.answered 6/30/2012
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Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Elk and Pronghorn Permit information: A pass is required from the Idaho Fish and Game office, 4279 Commerce Circle, Idaho Falls, to hunt elk in the Lemhi, Beaverhead or Snake River Elk Zones or pronghorn in Units 51, 58, or 63 within one-half mile inside the north and east boundary of the Idaho National Laboratory, which is adjacent to agricultural land. Hunting of all other species on INL land is prohibitedanswered 6/29/2012
Q: I am a disabled hunter wishing to inquire about leftover youth tags from controlled hunts
Leftover youth tags availability for disabled hunters to purchaseA:
Hunters 65 or older, or possessing a disabled combination license may buy a leftover youth-only controlled hunt tag, first-come, first-served, beginning at 10 a.m. Mountain Time, August 25. We will have a list of those hunts after the second drawing takes place (August 5-15, results out August 25).answered 6/29/2012
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The “hunt from a vehicle” permit is not included in the disabled license; to get this separate permit you must get a doctor’s signature on an a Fish and Game application form, which can be obtained at any Fish and Game office or by calling 208-334-3700 or online at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/licenses/disVehicle.pdf.answered 6/29/2012
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Survival of elk calves depends on a number of factors, including disease, predators, nutrition, maternal care, weather, and accidents. Generally, highest mortality in elk calves occurs during the first month of life, where predators can take a high percentage of calves. During the mid-summer through fall period, elk calves generally have higher survival rates. Survival during winter varies considerably depending on how harsh winter conditions are and what predators exist in the area. Elk calves are generally reliant on milk for the first month, but will continue to suckle for several months if allowed by the mother. Within a couple of weeks of birth, elk calves begin to eat natural vegetation, and by a couple of months old are capable of surviving without milk. A significant factor when considering whether orphaning of elk calves results in higher mortality is whether the calf joins other elk. Generally, by July elk cows and calves begin to form small groups. Orphaned elk calves that remain in an elk group, or find another gorup, are expected to have higher survival rates.answered 6/29/2012
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Jack Chinook salmon are reproductively mature salmon that have spent one year in the ocean. While fisheries managers typically refer to adult salmon as the fish larger than 24 inches in length that spend 2 or more years in the ocean, in reallity jacks are mature adults and are an important part of the reproducing population of adult fish.answered 6/27/2012
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The harvest share estimates for the Upper Salmon are based on analysis of PIT tag detections and genetic samples from Lower granite Dam. The estimate and improves as our knowledge of the total return size improves through the run. Right now our harvest sharet estimate is in the range from 1,200 to 4,000 fish. This is a broad range but sufficent to justify a fishery. However, to manage the fishery effectively as the season progresses, we need to narrow this range to a single harvest share estimate. We anticipate results from analysis of the latest genetic samples on June 29. Those results will provide a definitive reliable harvest share point estimate that will be used for managing the fishery.answered 6/27/2012
Q: I would like to know how to volunteer to foster a baby deer or other wild animal.
I am a stay at home mother of two, we live close to the woods and are avid outdoors people. My grandpa used to have a deer farm when my father was little and they tell storys about being able to live closly with animals. I feel that it would be wonderful to be able to share the experience with my children. I hear many storys where people find baby animals and turn them into the fish and game, that isnt best for the animal, but I am sure that means that you have to find foster homes for them. I am interested in finding out how I can become a foster parent for one of these baby animals, and what that would include.A:
Thank you for your question regarding rehabilitation of wildlife taken from the wild. You are correct, it generally isn't in the best interest of wildlife to remove them from wild. Many wildlife species, including deer, will spend considerable time away from their young. This is in part to protect them from predators. It is not uncommon to find deer fawns every spring, and some people perceive them as abondoned, which is generally not the case. However, there are times when removing wildlife from the wild is appropriate. Examples include injured wildlife or known cases of loss of the adult such as in a vehicle/deer accident. It is in these cases the Department uses permitted wildlife rehabilitators. Ultimately, the goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to return the animal to the wild once it has healed or reached an age it has a better chance of survival. Each of the Department's Regional Offices maintains a list of approved rehabilitators for an area. If you are interested in becoming a wildlife rehabilitator, please contact the nearest Regional Office. Becoming a wildlife rehabilitator should not be taken lightly. Considerable time committment is required in addition to having appropriate facilities.answered 6/27/2012
Q: On a Super Hunt or Super Hunt Combo, would I pay resident rates or non resident rates if Im a Resident
I am considering putting in for the super hunt or super hunt combo, If I was to draw this hunt, will i be stuck pay nonresident prices for the tags or would they be resident prices.A:
The super hunt tags and super hunt combo tags are issued at no charge to the hunters who are drawn for them. Those drawn do have to purchase an Idaho hunting license if they don't already have one. A resident hunter would have to purchase a resident license; the nonresident would have to purchase a nonresident license.answered 6/27/2012
Q: When will the Deer, Elk and Antelope contolled hunt results be available on-line?
When will the 2012 deer, elk and antelope contolled hunt results be available for viewing on-line? Is there a telephone hot line that will have the results earlier?A:
Idaho Fish and Game will get notices out to the applicants who are drawn for a controlled hunt by Joly 10. All hunters will be able to check online to see if they have been drawn by July 10, also.answered 6/26/2012
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Well, To date the harvest is limited but so is the effort. A total of 18 adult Chinook Salmon have been caught and kept through Tuesday but only an average of 12 anglers fished daily and a total of 800 angler hours were fished (about 44 hours per fish kept). While that is not an imperssive harvest rate, data from the instream PIT tag arrays suggest that more than 300 adult hatchery salmon have enterd the South Fork River and about 200 of those have enterd the fishing area. So, this weekend is still a bit on the early side but there will probably be several hundred fish in the fishing area by then and they may provide some reasonably good fishing opportunity.answered 6/26/2012
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The Aquatic Invasive Species sticker program is managed cooperatively by Idaho State Department of Agriculture and Idaho State Parks and Recreation. You can purchase the Invasive Species sticker at most State Parks, local sporting goods vendors, and from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation website at: http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/stickerpurchase.aspx .answered 6/26/2012
Q: What can we do to remove owls from our warehouse?
We have had owls move in to replace the pigeons which we thought was a real pain, but the owls are leaving even a bigger mess. They are damaging product with their droppings and it is every where. We need to keep cleaning it up after them, but as I said the mess is far bigger than the pigeons. So what can we do to have them removed and relocated?A:
Please contact the Fish and Game Region office in your area for help. Panhandle Region (Coeur d'Alene) 208-769-1414 Clearwater Region (Lewiston) 208-799-5010 Southwest Region (Nampa) 208-465-8465 (McCall) 208-634-8137 Magic Valley Region (Jerome) 208-324-4359 Southeast Region (Pocatello) 208-232-4703 Upper Snake Region (Idaho Falls) 208-525-7290 Salmon Region (Salmon) 208-756-2271answered 6/26/2012
Q: Salmon Fishing
Why was the pahsimeroi river section closed this year? I see there is a large return over lower granite and larger than any return in the past 8 year average. Was there a miss count of fish or was there something that happened that the public has not been told like a large die off of fry or mismanagement of the fishery.A:
Two years ago, fewer salmon smolts were released from Pahsimeroi due to enviromental issues at the hatchery. PIT tags, which are tags that can be detected a various dams as the smolts migrate downstream and the adults return upstream, indicate the number of adult salmon returning to Pahsimeroi will barely meet our requirements for eggs to rebuild the stock. Therefore, we are specifically trying to protect Pahsimeroi bound Chinook salmon adults in 2012.answered 6/25/2012
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Idaho Fish and Game does not have a specific definition of a compound bow. However, on page 76 of the Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules brochure for 2012 explains what archery equipment would be unlawful to pursue or kill big game with. I have copied and pasted this section below. Archery Equipment In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and shortrange hunts, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals: • With arrows or bolts having broadheads measuring less than 7/8 inch in width and having a primary cutting edge less than 0.015 inch thick. • With any bow having a peak draw weight of less than 40 pounds up to or at a draw of 28 inches. • With an arrow or bolt wherein the broadhead does not precede shaft and nock. • With any chemicals or explosives attached to the arrow or bolt. • With arrows or bolts having expanding broadheads. • With arrows or bolts having barbed broadheads, which is a broadhead with any portion of which forms an angle less than 90 degrees with the shaft or ferrule. • With any electronic or tritium-powered device attached to an arrow, bolt or bow. Except disabled archery permit holders may use a nonmagnifying sight with battery powered or tritium lighted reticles. • With any bow capable of shooting more than one arrow at a time. • With any compound bow set at more than 85 percent letoff. • With an arrow or bolt, and broadhead with a combined total weight of less than 300 grains. • With an arrow less than 24 inches from broadhead to nock inclusive. • With a bolt (crossbow) less than 12 inches from broadhead to nock inclusive.answered 6/25/2012
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The closest place to Pocatello is Rose ponds near Blackfoot.answered 6/25/2012
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IDFG does in fact have a stocking program in Dierkes Lake. Rainbow trout between 8-10 inches are stocked primarily in the spring when water temperatures are cool enough to provide suitable stocking conditions. Additionally, the Departement has intermittently stocked channel catfish. The resident bass and bluegill population provide the bulk of the fishing opporutnity during summer and fall months when water temps force rainbow trout into the deep water. Stocking records can be found on the IDFG website if you would like historical stocking information. Feel free to contact the Magic Valley Region anytime for managmenet concerns or if you just want to have a conversation about the Dierkes Lake fishery.answered 6/25/2012
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Jack Chinook salmon are reproductively mature salmon that have spent one year in the ocean. While fisheries managers typically refer to adult salmon as the fish larger than 24 inches in length that spend 2 or more years in the ocean, in reallity jacks are mature adults and are an important part of the reproducing population of adult fishanswered 6/25/2012
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A treble hook is considered one hook, even though there are 3 points on it. Be sure that any barbs are bent down to the shank to meet the barbless requirement.answered 6/23/2012