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 2876 - 2900 of 3534 questionsQ: what licenses do i purchase if my son (16) and i want to (c&r) fly fish for 3 days this week?
we live out of state, on vacation, and may want to fish for steelhead one of the days.A:
Nonresidents can purchase a "daily" fishing license; the first day costs $12.75 and each additional day is $6.00. You can purchase it at any vendor. If you are interested in Chinook salmon fishing, you can purchase a 3-day salmon/steelhead license. This includes a fishing license and steelhead/salmon permit.answered 4/9/2012
Q: 2012 youth season dates
Who thought it was a good idea to open the 2012 youth turkey season on a Sunday and then the 2013 season on a Monday? I thought the idea was to give the youth there own time to hunt? How about being consistent and opening the season on the first Saturday in April?A:
During the 2010 season-setting process there was a proposal brought forward to expand the youth turkey hunting season from two weekend days to one full week. The Deparment proposed and the Commission approved of a seven day youth turkey season that immediately precedes the start of the general turkey season which starts on April 15. As a result, the opening day for the youth season changes as a reflection of the now standard opening date of April 8. Given that there are seven days for the season, there will always be at least two weekend days available for the youth turkey season. Thank you for your comments on this issue.answered 4/7/2012
Q: What fish are illegal to catch here in Idaho? What guidelines should 4-H kids know?
I am a 4-H Leader in Ola, ID and I am in need of information of restrictions of all kinds to teach my 4-H kids. Any information is appreciated.A:
The list of game fish (copied below) is found in the Fishing Rules Book. Game Fish: Brook, brown, bull, cutthroat, golden, lake (Mackinaw), rainbow (including steelhead), splake and Sunapee trout; trout hybrids; Chinook, coho, Atlantic, and kokanee (blueback) salmon; grayling; whitefish; cisco; crappie; perch; bass; catfish; bullhead; sunfish; sturgeon; northern pike; tiger muskie; walleye and sauger; and burbot (Ling). Bullfrogs and crayfish are also defined as game fish. Nongame Fish: Any fish not specifically defined as a “game fish.” Protected nongame fish are Shoshone, Wood River, and Bear Lake sculpin, sand roller, northern leatherside chub and Pacific lamprey (you cannot fish for these) The fishing rules are divided into information for each region of the state. There are general seasons that apply to all waters in one region but a few lakes, rivers and reservoirs have special rules. These are listed by region. You will also find pictures of Idaho fish on pages 56-59 of the rules book.answered 4/7/2012
Q: Does a non-resident need a hunting license to pack a gun when riding an ATV or when target practicing?
I own land in Idaho. Do I need a hunting license to shoot at targets on my land? I ride ATV's and carry a hand gun for protection. Do I need a hunting license for this on public land?A:
If you are not hunting, you are not required to purchase a hunting license..answered 4/6/2012
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Local animal control, animal rescue, or law enforcement in emergencies and USDA Wildlife Services are good sources for help, information and advice.Idaho law allows people to trap or remove any wildlife to protect private property and personal safety, but just like the plumbing, sometimes it is better to get help from a professional.Local Fish and Game offices also are good sources of information and advice. But Fish and Game generally does not respond to nuisance wildlife issues unless big game critters - bear, lion, deer, elk or moose - are involved, but local offices can often provide loaner traps.There are often many professionals in urban communities who specialize in nuisance wildlife control who can help with rats and bats and everything in between. Nuisance wildlife may not be released live without a permit from Fish and Game. But native wildlife classified as predatory or unprotected wildlife, including skunks and raccoons, may not be released without written permission from the landowner at the release site, and you must have the written permission in your possession while transporting them. --source http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/fgNews/2011mar.pdf - March 2011answered 4/6/2012
Q: When are the new big game regs going to be available?
When are the new big game regs going to be available?A:
The 2012 rules are online at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/rules/?getPage=63. Printed copies will be sent out to vendors beginning the week of April 16.answered 4/5/2012
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No snakefish have been found in Idaho.answered 4/5/2012
Q: Duck stamp
Does your state collect a fee that waterfowl hunters pay to hunt waterfowl in your state? Do you issue an actual stamp?A:
Idaho waterfowl hunters must purchase an Idaho Migratory Bird permit to hunt ducks in Idaho. They must also have a federal duck stamp. Idaho's Migratory Bird Permit is a validation printed on their license. It is not an actual stamp.answered 4/4/2012
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Free Fishing Day in Idaho is the 2nd Saturday of June. In 2012 that is June 9. The exact date for 2013 will be available when new Fishing Rules books are printed this fall.answered 4/4/2012
Q: Feral Hogs
Does Idaho have a huntable number of feral hogs and if so where would they be located. Do you need a license to hunt them ?A:
Idaho doesn't have a sizable population of feral hogs and we don't have any rules set up for hunting them because they are not wildlife.answered 4/3/2012
Q: Sportsman Wolf tag
Will the wolf tag that is going to be added to the Sportsman package be retroactive to thoes who purchase their 2012 Sportsman package prior to the July 1 2012 date?A:
The Idaho legislature added a wolf tag to the Sportsman's Package in its 2012 session. It will not be available until July 1, 2012. We haven't determined the price of the package when the wolf tag is added. The tag will not be retroactive; that is, if the pack was purchased before July 1, you will have to purchase a wolf tag separately.answered 4/3/2012
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Yes. A signed, written sales statement showing the taker’s name, address, license and tag numbers (not needed for salvage of road kill), date and location of salvage, must be provided to the buyer of any black bear or mountain lion head, hide or other parts (except tanned hides or finished rugs or mounts). A copy of the Sales Statement must be forwarded by the buyer to the IDFG within ten days after the sale. An IDFG form, CE-50 - Statement of Sale/Purchase of Wildlife Parts, may be used in lieu of a sales statement. These forms are available at your nearest IDFG office or conservation officer. For current information, or if you have questions about the salvage rules, please refer to IDFG’s website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/roadkill or contact your nearest IDFG Office.answered 4/3/2012
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No. The sale of game animal meat is not authorized.answered 4/3/2012
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Eating the salvaged meat is at your discretion. By signing the permit, persons acknowledge that the meat was not inspected and consumption is at their own risk.answered 4/3/2012
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Yes and No. There are risks and potential safety hazards when stopping on many roadways and highways. Motorists choosing to stop and retrieve wildlife on any road assume all responsibility for their actions should an accident result due to stopping to retrieve wildlife of any kind. Motorists stopping on any road need to consider sight distance for oncoming traffic, shoulder width, weather, traffic volume and type (trucks and semis) along with other issues prior to stopping. If it is unsafe to stop or would jeopardize other motorist’s safety – do not stop. If you have questions concerning non-emergency stopping on roads and highways, contact your local or state transportation officials or the Idaho State Police. However, interstate highways are controlled access highways and stopping on interstates and medians is strictly prohibited unless for emergencies. Retrieving or salvaging wildlife is not considered an emergency and is therefore not authorized on interstates.answered 4/3/2012
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No. Interstate highways are controlled access highways and stopping on interstates and medians is strictly prohibited unless for emergencies. Retrieving or salvaging wildlife is not considered an emergency and is therefore not authorized on interstates.answered 4/3/2012
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The language of this rule is specific to “accidental kills caused by vehicle/wildlife collisions."answered 4/3/2012
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No.answered 4/3/2012
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No. The public is not authorized to dispatch a wounded animal. Please report injured wildlife by contacting your nearest Conservation Officer, Sheriff’s office, or IDFG regional office.answered 4/3/2012
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No. Idaho rule prohibits the sale of parts of Bighorn Sheep that have been found dead of natural causes or salvaged at the site of a vehicle collision.answered 4/3/2012
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No. Migratory species, such as waterfowl, doves, crows, and protected wildlife and/or birds, such as eagles, hawks, owls and songbirds, may not be salvaged or possessed, nor can protected non-game animals and Threatened or Endangered wildlife. All of these species encountered dead along the roadway should be reported on IDFG’s road kill data base at fishandgame.idaho.gov/roadkill, or by contacting your nearest IDFG office. For a list of wildlife species you may not possess or salvage, go online to IDFG’s website at fishandgame.idaho.gov/roadkill, or contact your nearest IDFG office.answered 4/3/2012
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Notifying Fish and Game within 24 hours and obtaining a salvage permit within 72 hours is a legal requirement to lawfully possess salvaged wildlife. Within 24 hours, you must report a wildlife salvage by going online to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/roadkill, which will direct you to a self-generating permit that you can print. A copy of the permit must accompany the salvaged wildlife. A copy of the report will be sent electronically to the local IDFG office. Reporting a wildlife salvage can also be made by contacting your nearest IDFG regional office, conservation officer, or other Fish and Game employee within 24 hours. If contacting Fish and Game by phone outside normal business hours, it’s critical that you leave your full name, phone number, address, and location of salvage so a permit can be issued to you within 72 hours. In addition to reporting a wildlife salvage, the following wildlife and their parts must be presented to your nearest IDFG office to satisfy mandatory harvest tagging/pinning report requirements: SPECIES PARTS TO PRESENT TIME PERIOD TO PRESENT Moose, Mountain Goat, Bighorn Sheep Antlers or horns Within 10 days of salvage Mountain Lion, Black Bear, Wolf Skull and pelt Within 10 days of salvage River Otter Thawed pelt With 72 hours of salvage Bobcat Thawed pelt Within 10 days of salvage Contact your nearest IDFG regional office to make arrangements.answered 4/3/2012
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By notifying the Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game (IDFG) and completing reporting requirements, people can now: Recover and keep wildlife species classified as upland birds, upland game animals, big game, furbearers, unprotected wildlife, and predators that may be lawfully hunted or trapped that have been killed by accidental vehicle-collisions. A list of wildlife species that CAN be salvaged can be viewed by going online at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/roadkill. Protected non-game wildlife, Threatened or Endangered species, migratory birds (which are federally protected), and other wildlife species not lawfully hunted or trapped may NOT be recovered, possessed, or salvaged. Purchase or sell wildlife parts, except the edible flesh, of wildlife species classified as big game, upland game, upland game birds, furbearers, or rattlesnakes that may be lawfully hunted or trapped that have been killed by accidental vehicle-collisions. Bighorn sheep cannot be purchased, bartered, or sold. Retain and consume the meat of wildlife species classified as big game, upland game animals, upland game birds, and furbearing animals which may be lawfully hunted or trapped, that have been killed by accidental vehicle-collisions. Persons salvaging and consuming this meat do so at their own risk.answered 4/3/2012
Q: Wolf tag for Sportsman Package
Has it been concidered to add the Wolf tag to the Sportsman Package along side the Bear and Mountain Lion tags?A:
Yes, the 2012 Idaho Legislature added a wolf tag to the Sportsman's Package; it will become part of the Package beginning July 1, 2012.answered 4/3/2012
Q: Red or Green Dot Scopes?
Are rifles with battery powered red or green dot scopes allowed for hunting?A:
In any hunt, including any-weapon seasons, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals: • By any means other than approved firearms, muzzleloaders and archery methods. • With any electronic device attached to, or incorporated on, the firearm or scope; Except scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles are allowed. • With any firearm that, in combination with a scope, sling and/or any attachments, weighs more than 16 pounds. • With any fully automatic firearm.answered 4/2/2012