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 2826 - 2850 of 3534 questionsA:
Applicants will receive either a tag or a refund check by mail no later than June 10 unless their purchases were made with a credit card. They will not receive a refund check, but a credit to their account by July 1. If you do not receive one of these by July 1, please call Fish and Game at 208-334-2592, or write to P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707.answered 5/11/2012
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One of the stated goals for the Summit is to have a clear sense of what hunters, anglers, trappers and other wildlife conservationists want from their wildlife management agency. Director Virgil Moore is expected to explain the dilemma that Fish and Game is facing; legal mandates and public expectations are outgrowing funding sources. He wants to discuss this, and hear from Idahoans on how to meet those demands without infringing on the core Fish and Game mission of stewardship of wildlife to provide opportunities for hunting, fishing and trapping. Options for moving forward will be part of the discussion.answered 5/10/2012
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When the fish runs begin showing up, we will have the counts on our website. Current information available for salmon is online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=140 and returns will be posted in late Spring or early summer. Steelhead counts will be available in Spring 2013.answered 5/10/2012
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You must have a hunting license when you apply. You can wait to get the archery permit when you find out that you have drawn. Please check online frequently for field days in the Idaho Falls area. The link to the class list is https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/hed/public/default.aspx.answered 5/10/2012
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The controlled hunt statistics have been posted on our website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/?getpage=113.answered 5/9/2012
Q: How are Controlled Hunts drawn
Many of my friends and I have wondered how the draw work. Are the controlled hunts drawn in numerical order or do they draw randomly. For example will hunt #1000 always be drawn before hunt #1001?A:
Here is a simplified version of how the controlled hunt drawing system works: The procedure has been computerized since 1973 and was certified random by Boise State University professors in 1977. Every applicant has the same chance of drawing. Officials verify that applicants meet all of the eligibility requirements to draw a tag. Each application is then assigned a randomly generated number, which is then scrambled and coded before being drawn by the computer system. The computer, located in the state controller's office, selects the successful applicants from the entire application file of eligible applicants. When a group of people enter on the same application, the group is assigned a single application number, and the system will recognize only one application number. The controlled hunt drawing system processes all first choice hunts in the first round. The system then does a second drawing to fill any open hunts with second choice hunts. No person can draw a second choice if that hunt has been filled by first choice people. When residents and nonresidents enter on the same application, the chances of drawing are limited to the nonresident chances. Nonresident hunters are limited to no more than 10 percent of the total number of controlled hunt tags for each species. In controlled hunts with 10 or fewer tags, not more than one nonresident tag will be issued. In controlled hunts with more than 10 tags, not more than 10 percent of the tags will be issued to nonresidents. If the computer draws an application and finds it includes a nonresident, it checks to see whether a tag is available for a nonresident. If the nonresident limit already has been met, the entire group application will be rejected and the computer simply goes to the next application. Hunters can improve their odds by doing a little homework. Using the odds and harvest results from the previous year, hunters can find hunts with fewer applicants and better odds of drawing.answered 5/9/2012
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Yes, you do. The bow hunter class covers material specific to hunting with a bow; that information wasn't covered in the hunter education class.answered 5/8/2012
Q: Musky & Pike fishing
First, thank you for all the work you do for us - I really do appreciate all of it. Now my questions: -Are there any waters for Pike fishing South of CDA? -Are there any waters for Musky fishing in the South West Region? -Where are the best Musky waters in Idaho? Thanks in advance, B. King bhking2101@q.comA:
We are using a few pike in mountain lakes in south-central Idaho to reduce brook trout numbers, but we really don’t want them to be harvested (some lakes have less than 10 pike stocked). In the Southwest part of Idaho the best place to find Tiger muskies is Dog Creek Reservoir near Gooding or Carey Lake. Tiger muskie were recently stocked in Little Payette Lake to control nongame fish. They probably aren’t big enough to catch, yet. Check the fish stocking records on our webpage at: www.fishandgame.idaho.gov; Fishing; Fish Stocking Records.answered 5/7/2012
Q: What are the fishing seasons on Upper and Lower Palisades Lake?
I was wondering if the fishing season on South Fork Tributaries applied to the Palisades lakes as well. The only exception listed for the lakes is a trout limit of two, so is the season open year-round or not? If the lakes are open year round, what is the season on Palisades creek above the lower lake.A:
Both are open all year. The trout limit is 2.answered 5/5/2012
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No, the gas powered radio controlled boat can not be used on a no-gas engine lake.answered 5/4/2012
Q: In a group hunt application, if one of the applicants has a "change of heart" is he/she required to purchase the tag?
My Father and a long time friend want to apply for a controlled hunt as a Group, my buddies concern is that come fall if money is tight and he feels he cant pay for the trip is he required to buy that tag? If he doesn't buy the tag is he punished by not being able to apply in the coming years?A:
A hunter who is drawn for a controlled hunt is not required to pick up the tag. The deadline to pick it up is August 1; if it isn't picked up by then it will go into the second drawing. If the hunt that was drawn is an antlered-only hunt, there is a waiting period of 2 seasons before the hunter can apply for another antlered-only hunt.answered 5/4/2012
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Yes, pelicans are protected in Idaho.answered 5/3/2012
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Mule deer herds are rebounding from the 2010/2011 winter that winter was very tough on deer and we lost a significant proportion of the radio collared does. Hunting should be good this fall with high over winter survival and deer in great body condition. Antler growth should be excellent this season also.answered 5/3/2012
Q: I put in for California Bighorn Sheep this year 2012 can I also put in the Super Hunt draws as well?
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Yes, you can.answered 5/3/2012
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Although a degree is not necessary, at least 4 upper level college courses in wildlife/fish management are. These courses may include Wildlife Management, Fishery Management, Population Ecology, Mammalogy, Ornithology, Wildlife Ecology, etc. Those applicants with a BS degree in Wildlife/Fish Management are most competitive. Conservation Officers are the Idaho Fish and Game’s front lines to local communities. It is important that they can communicate to sportsmen the principles and reasons why seasons, bag limits, and rules exist. They must also communicate their field observations to fish and wildlife managers in a credible manner. In addition to the educational requirements,we look for Conservation Officers who demonstrate the following characteristics: To be a CO, we are more interested in finding those folks with the educational background that have the right ‘talents’ or gifts to be a CO. These talents include: Good communication skills that allow you to visit with landowners, sportsmen, the public, agency personnel. You have to be able to interact with all these people, understanding that each group may have a different culture and require you to communicate to them in terms they understand and can relate to. CO’s need to learn and adapt quickly to understand complex information in order to be a problem solver. CO’s need ‘high energy levels’; self starters, multi-taskers and self-motivators CO’s need to be somewhat assertive: When the situation calls for quick action and decision making, CO’s have to be assertive. But they also need to understand and be diplomatic. This is a tough line to understand and walk Although we need you to be diplomatic and communicate and interact with others, CO’s also need to be somewhat skeptical. In LE situations, some people are going to hide things from you. Diplomatically, you need to interact with them, knowing that they may be violating and hiding something from you. CO’s need to be able to work alone and don’t require others present. CO’s work in remote areas by themselves. Again, this is tough. We want you to be able to interact with others, but your inner self needs to be comfortable when you are working by yourself for a couple of days in a row. CO’s are independent and adventurous. Being alone and self-motivators, CO’s have to be decisive, making the right decisions quickly, accepting those risks associated with quick decisions.answered 5/2/2012
Q: How deep do you have to fish to catch coho in lake cascade?
Thanks for the quick response to my earlier question. Do people using a rapala plug fish a deep tail dancer that can drop down to 20 for 30 feet; or do they use rapalas that are closer to the surface? Is there a water temperature preference coho like that I could find the sweet spot in the water with my cannon temp and speed sensor? I take it coho like lures a little faster than kokanee trolling, somewhere around the 2 to 2.5 mph range. Again I appreciate any information that can help make for a great time at lake cascade. Thank youA:
Most folks are targeting coho in the deeper areas of the lake more towards the middle. I would use a rapala type plug maybe a rainbow or silver color. Don't use kokanee gear. I don't think you need to use planner boards unless you have more than a few rods you want to use, usually planner boards get your bait or lure more out to the side, you might try, maybe its the seceret combo.answered 5/2/2012
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DNA tests on hair and scat samples confirmed this animal to be a pure lynx - not a hybrid animal. The lynx was identified as a male and new individual to the Northern Rocky Mountains lynx DNA database. The DNA samples will be further tested to determine the genotype or metapopulation structure of this individual, which indicates the source population the lynx originated from. This test is pending while lynx samples from Colorado are genotyped, so we have a complete baseline of potential genotypes to compare to. Check back and thanks for your interest!answered 5/1/2012
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Steelhead trapping is finished for the year so we will not have the report running again until next year (Spring 2013).answered 5/1/2012
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Yes. The shortcut to the salvage permit is on the bottom left of the homepage. Look for the yellow deer sign with "Report Roadkill" link.answered 5/1/2012
Q: Do coho salmon stay close to shore at lake cascade or do you troll for them in the deeper part of the lake?
I've never fished for freshwater coho salmon and wanted to give it a try at lake cascade. Do you use the same gear you would targeting kokanee? I read an article that stated coho like to stay close from 50 to 150 feet out from shore. What kind of bait do you use? Do people targeting coho use planner boards? If you could answer some of these kind of questions I would appreciate it.A:
Most folks are targeting coho in the deeper areas of the lake more towards the middle. I would use a rapala type plug maybe a rainbow or silver color. Don't use kokanee gear. I don't think you need to use planner boards unless you have more than a few rods you want to use, usually planner boards get your bait or lure more out to the side, you might try, maybe its the seceret combo.answered 4/30/2012
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There aren't any wild boar in Idaho.answered 4/30/2012
Q: Has the Steelheadseason been extended in the Stanley Basin area
No, it hasn't.A:
No, it hasn't.answered 4/29/2012
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Information about prospecting for gold or other metals can be found at the website for the Idaho Department of Lands.answered 4/28/2012
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Felt-soled wader boots are legal for use in Idaho waters. There hasn't been any movement toward banning them so far; I don't know if that will be considered sometime in the future.answered 4/28/2012
Q: how to purchase a bear bait permit on weekend
How to purchase a bear bait permit on a weekend?A:
Bear bait permits and site tags are only available at Fish and Game offices, which are not open on weekends. You can send your request for the permit and site tags along with payment in the mail so they can be processed through one of our offices.answered 4/28/2012