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 2801 - 2825 of 3534 questionsA:
As of this past weekend (5/19-20/2012), crappie in CJ Strike and Brownlee reservoirs had not spawned yet. Adult fish are suspended over deep water and have not moved to the banks. In an average year, this would be the approximate time that spawning is initiated. However, high river flows with associated colder water temperatures, rapidly increasing water levels (Bronwlee only), and inconsistent weather patterns have delayed the initiation of spawning. Most fish should spawn within the next 10-14 days as water temperatures reach 64-68 F.answered 5/19/2012
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Turkey, black bear and mountain lion tags can be used in any unit that is open for general season hunting. You are not limited to one unit or zone.answered 5/18/2012
Q: Can someone own, buy or sell live wolves in the state of Idaho... including wolf hybrids?
I had a wolf hybrid long ago and I was told that it is illegal to sell a wolf or a wolf hybrid in the state of Idaho. People on Craigslist is getting outrageous and now they are advertising wolves 85% and are asking for rehoming fees. I personally will not buy one they are unique and they do need special care and the people on craigslist do not know what they are gettingA:
Idaho has licensing requirements for people who raise wolves for sale in Idaho, and has permitting requirements for importing wolves for captive possession into the state. Idaho has licensing and tattooing requirements for holding in captivity a wolf or hybrid that exhibits primary wolf characteristics. These are spelled out in Idaho Code Section 712: http://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title36/T36CH7SECT36-712PrinterFriendly.htm There are also rules in the Idaho Administrative Code at http://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/13/0110.pdfanswered 5/18/2012
Q: I know that it is illegal to have any type of electronic device on your bow, does that mean mounting a camera to your bow to video a hunt is illegal?
I was just reading the regulations and understand that using any electronic device attached to your rifle or bow is illegal and this also includes the lumenocks for your arrow. I also was wondering now that it is getting more and more popular to video your hunts and with many trying to do this on their own, if it was illegal to attach a video camera to your rifle or bow to video your own hunt as it is an electronic device.A:
To Whom It May Concern: As the rule is written it is unlawful to archery hunt: With any electronic or tritium-powered device attached to, or incorporated into, an arrow, bolt, crossbow, or bow (except nonmagnifying scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles may be used by disabled archery permit holders). This rule also applies to any other hunt for big game animals regardless of weapon. The rule does not define electronic devices so it applies to all electronic devices, including still photo and video camera, except those mentioned in the rule above.answered 5/17/2012
Q: Do you have to live in Idaho to do this salvage of a road kill?
No. Nonresidents can also salvage wildlife killed by accidental vehicle-collisions. Remember, notifying Idaho Fish and Game within 24 hours and obtaining a free salvage permit within 72 hours is a legal requirement to lawfully possess salvaged wildlife.A:
No. Nonresidents can also salvage wildlife killed by accidental vehicle-collisions. Remember, notifying Idaho Fish and Game within 24 hours and obtaining a free salvage permit within 72 hours is a legal requirement to lawfully possess salvaged wildlife.answered 5/17/2012
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The pages you refer to receive the most current numbers from a database that the hatcheries updated on a daily basis. That database has been moved out of Idaho Fish and Game and to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC). IDFG no longer has access to the data to feed those web pages. The database management and development is overseen by a multi-agency Steering Committee. This issue has been brought to their attention. Until the Steering Committee acts to allow IDFG access to the data, we are unable to restore those web pages.answered 5/16/2012
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Please contact the Forest Service for that information. You can find contact information for Idaho Forests online at http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/map/state_list.shtml#I.answered 5/16/2012
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Contact the Forest Service for information. Idaho forests are listed online at http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/map/state_list.shtml#I.answered 5/16/2012
Q: What's the status of Mountain Quail in Idaho?
Are there any still in the Owyhees and Boise Foothills?
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There is no open hunting season for mountain quail in Idaho. Historically, there were mountain quail in Owyhee County and the Boise Foothills. Currently, there may be a few isolated populations of mountain quail in the Owyhee Mountains, but there have not been any credible sightings documented. We have reports of a few mountain quail sightings in the Garden Valley to Lowman area.
answered 5/16/2012
Q: If a person is a non-resident, but owns a minimum of 160 acres in Idaho, does that person qualify for a resident game tag?
This is how the law reads in Oregon, and I wondered if it was the same in Idaho. If the acreage requirement is more or less, I would like to know that also. Thanks---A:
No, owning real property or paying property taxes within the state of Idaho is not a qualification for residency. No one can claim Idaho resident privileges while claiming resident privileges in another state.answered 5/16/2012
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Yes, you can. Bait is defined as Organic substances, other than rubber, wood feather, fiber, or plastic, attached to a hook to attract fish. Bait includes insects, insect larvae, worms, dead fish, fish parts, any other animal or vegetable matter, or scented synthetic materials. Note: Use of live fish , leeches, frogs, salamanders, waterdogs or shrimp as bait is prohibited in Idaho, except that live crayfish may be used if caught on the body of water being fished.answered 5/16/2012
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No. The salvage permit is free.answered 5/15/2012
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The salvage permits are free.answered 5/15/2012
Q: what requirements and what documents are needed for proof of residency if you dont have an idaho DL?
have a friend that has moved up from another state and has been living here for 6+ months and will be going to college in Idaho as well but he does not have a Idaho Drivers license. what other documents can be provided for proof of residency?A:
Proof of residency is required to buy any resident license. A resident is anyone who has been domiciled in this state with a bona fide intent to make this their place of permanent abode, for a period of not less than 6 months immediately preceding the date of application for any license, tag or permit. A senior resident is anyone over 65 who has lived in the state at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of application for a senior license or tag A driver must prove residency with a valid Idaho driver’s license.answered 5/15/2012
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After picking up the animal, you have 24 hours to notify Fish and Game, and 72 hours to obtain a salvage permit. If contacting Fish and Game by phone outside normal business hours, it’s critical you leave your full name, phone number, address, and location of salvage so a permit can be issued and mailed to you within 72 hours. The Salvage permit is free.answered 5/15/2012
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General season antlerless elk hunting was suspended in the Panhandle Elk Zone for the 2012 season due to poor calf recruitment and overall reductions in elk populations in several game management units. The ellimination of the general season antlerless hunting was applied to the entire Panhandle Elk Zone to reduce the potential for significant numbers of hunters to switch hunting areas if some game management units retained general season antlerless hunting.answered 5/15/2012
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No. Both residents of Idaho and nonresidents are allowed to salvage certain game animals.answered 5/15/2012
Q: When there is a road kill and you call Fish and Game do they haul off the carcass or just the hide?
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This question was posted by a person near American Falls that observed Fish and Game employees examining a road-killed moose. The employees determined that the moose was salvageable and quickly field dressed, skinned, and transported the carcass to cold storage facilities, leaving the entrails and hide in the road right-a-way. They later returned and removed all the entrails and hide.answered 5/14/2012
Q: When will the details of the 2012-2013 wolf season be released?
Just looking for when this info will be released. Trying to figure out when it is so I can have all my gear ready and purchased for opening day.A:
The wolf season information is in the 2012 Big Game Rules book on pages 66-69. It has been added to the deer, elk, pronghorn, bear and mountain lion season information.answered 5/14/2012
Q: How many wolves are in Idaho? How accurate is the official number released?
you release the official count at 740 + animals, but reports of some employees place the number much higher. So what is a better estimation?A:
Annual numbers are based on best information available and are retroactively updated as new information is obtained. The official estimate for the end of 2011 was 746 wolves.answered 5/14/2012
Q: How are the deer herds in Carribou County?
I recieved my 2012 Non-Resident General Deer tag, and am planning to hunt in the South East Region near Montpilier. We will be hunting in Carribou County. I know that the herds were devistated in the early 90's. What is the quality of buck I should see? Have the herds recovered at all? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!A:
The mule deer population is doing well, with excellent overwinter survival and lighter than usual hunting pressure last fall. However they did suffer a setback due to the extreme winter of 2010-2011. During that winter we had significant mortality of our radio collared does and likely very low fawn survival. So Things are looking up, but the winter of 2010 definitely reduced deer numbers in the Caribou county area. This year should be a good year to hunt mule deer in that area since we had such a mild winter survival was great and growth started early with deer in great body condition.answered 5/14/2012
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Golden Pheasants are not considered game birds in Idaho and therefore do not fall under IDFG rules. There may be rules from the Idaho Department of Argiculture that you should follow since they may be considered poultry. However, before you embark on this effort, I would suggest you read up on the many studies that have been done on the survival of pen raised pheasants in the wild. Survival is usually very low. A possible link to learn more is below: http://www.pheasantsforever.org/page/1/stocking.jsp If you are interested in having pheasants around your property. It might be more worthwhile to invest your money in habitat enhancement. the Department has habitat biologists in each region that can provide technical assistance on habitat development.answered 5/13/2012
Q: What game fish can be caught on the Salmon River below North Fork to the Middle Fork with spinners after the steelhead season closes in the spring?
My family owns property in this segment and we use it year-round. I've never been able to really tell my older grandkids if they can fish and what they can keep. ( Or is it catch and release for all species?) This question assumes using non steelhead gear.A:
Rainbow trout (can only be kept if their adipose fin is missing), cutthroat trout, and there may be an occasional brook trout. You can keep 6 trout (e.g. 4 rainbow, 2 cutthroat; 3 rainbow,, 3 cutthroat; etc.), 25 whitefish, and 25 brook trout. You can also catch bull trout but you can’t keep them.answered 5/12/2012
Q: can skinned beaver be used for bear bait
seems like some idfg people in diff towns say its ok cause its a furbearer not a game animal but when i asked in idaho falls they said no, so some people use them and others dont wouldent it be easier if idfg all came together and said yes or no and put it in the rule books. seems like a waste to take all the skinned beaver to the dump.A:
We checked with our legal department; it is legal to used skinned beaver for bear bait.answered 5/12/2012
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Current Chinook salmon information is online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=140. Hatchery returns will return to the page when they start showing up in the rivers later this Spring.answered 5/11/2012