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 2951 - 2975 of 3534 questionsA:
“Unprotected Wildlife” may be hunted with the non-game license. Examples include; Jack Rabbits, Coyotes, and Marmots. Unprotected Wildlife, Defined by Rule: Unprotected wildlife is defined as all animals OTHER than those classified by the Fish and Game Commission as big game animals, upland game animals, game birds, game fish, crustacea, migratory birds, furbearing animals, threatened or endangered wildlife, protected nongame wildlife or predatory wildlife.answered 2/29/2012
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Successful applicants in the second controlled hunt drawing do not have a deadline to purchase their controlled hunt tags unless they have a general season tag. Those with general season tags need to exchange the tag for the controlled hunt tag prior to the opener of the general season tag they hold. Unless they won on an extra hunt then they are allowed to keep their general tag.answered 2/29/2012
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No, employees that help in your business to mount, preserve, or prepare any parts of wildlife do not need a license. Your taxidermy license and record keeping will cover their activities. Each taxidermy business is required to obtain a license and keep records for that business location. Employees at the place of business are covered under the license for that business, and they should be listed as an employee somewhere in the business records.answered 2/29/2012
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Nonresidents may draw up to no more than 10 percent of the tags in an individual hunt and no more than 10 percent of the tags for the species. This is not a guaranteed set number of tags to be given to nonresidents. The drawing is a random draw and the 10 percent number may not be met in all hunts. The exception to this rule is unlimited hunts and the second drawing for unclaimed or leftover undersubscribed hunts. In controlled hunts with 10 or fewer tags, not more than one nonresident tag may be issued. Note: If a resident applies on a group controlled hunt application with a nonresident, the entire application is treated as a nonresident application.answered 2/29/2012
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NO: (see exception below); as long as the youth has a valid license and tag. Care must be taken by the adult not to enter into the act of “hunting.” They can even have a weapon in possession as the constitution allows. Once they begin pursuing, worrying, following after or on the trail of, shooting at, stalking, or lying in wait for, any wildlife whether such wildlife is then or subsequently captured, killed, taken, or wounded they are considered to be in the act of “hunting” which requires a license. Stalking, attracting, searching for, or lying in wait for, any wildlife by an unarmed person solely for the purpose of watching wildlife or taking pictures does not constitute “hunting.” Exceptions: Resident youth hunters in possession of the youth small game hunting license are required to be accompanied by an adult with a valid hunting license in the state of Idaho. Non-resident youth hunters in possession of a youth mentored license/tag are required to be accompanied by an adult with a valid license and tag for the same area and species. A non-resident youth who chooses to purchase a regular non-resident hunting license is not required to be accompanied by an adult with a valid license and tag for the same area and species. The intent of this rule is to allow young hunters a discounted opportunity to hunt in Idaho while fostering hunter education through the auspices of a mentor. Accompanied shall mean close enough to be within normal conversation or hearing range without shouting or the aid of electronic devices.answered 2/29/2012
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Yes, if he purchases a two pole permit. Legislation passed in 2009 allows resident youths to purchase a two pole permit without a fishing license.answered 2/29/2012
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Yes; as long as you provide other suitable documentation for proof of residency in Idaho. You may live in Idaho and work for a trucking company in another state. Many states require their employees to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the state in which the company is located. As long as you can produce at least two documents showing proof of residency in Idaho the vendor should issue a resident license. One of the best documents is your last income tax documents indicating you filed as an Idaho resident.answered 2/29/2012
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No, they cannot harvest a bear, lion or wolf with a resident deer tag. They must have the tag for the specific animal they want to harvest.answered 2/29/2012
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Yes; there is no limit on the number of youths a licensed adult can mentor. The mentored youths must be within normal sight and hearing distance from the mentor.answered 2/29/2012
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Yes; as long as you provide suitable documentation for proof of residency in Idaho for your spouse. Significant others do not qualify. The appropriate proof of residency documents is either a copy of the spouse’s current driver’s license OR in the case of a non-driver, a copy of the spouse’s Idaho identification card along with two forms of proof as stated in the rule book; obviously in the spouse’s name. Nonresident licenses may be purchased by someone other than the applicant because residency certification is not required.answered 2/29/2012
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A resident may purchase gift licenses for his/her spouse and his/her children under the age of eighteen (18) living in the household. The purchaser must provide the proper residency identification for obtaining a resident license. Grandparents would not qualify. This privilege is only for spouses and children under 18. Nonresident licenses may be purchased by someone other than the applicant because residency certification is not required.answered 2/29/2012
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Yes; although the focus has been on land vehicles, the "hunt from motorized vehicles" statute (I.C. section 36-1101(b) (1)) and the definition of motorized vehicle (I.C. section 36-202(y)) are broad enough to include watercraft. The Commission rule (IDAPA 13.01.04.303) would also include boats. The same eligibility requirements (spelled out in statute) and restrictions (not in motion) would apply.answered 2/28/2012
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Sterling WMA is part of unit 68A so only short-ranged weapons are allowed for big game (archery and shotgun). Trapping coyotes, however, is allowed (although I don't know of anyone that has done it). We ask that you check in with our office in Pocatello if you choose to trap on Sterling. FYI, the Federal agency, Wildlife Services, has recently flown the WMA and surrounding area in a coyote control effort. You can hunt coyotes on Sterling WMA with a rifle. We have controlled the means of take for big game in that unit by establishing the archery only rule. This was a way to reduce the hazard to the homes around the area. But we do not control the means of take for predators. We certainly encourage caution when discharging a rifle in that area. This answer was amended on 1/3/2014answered 2/28/2012
Q: Has using volunteers to update the fishing report on the website ever been considered?
I believe that the report is not updated frequently enough. This is probably due to limited man power and time constraints. Volunteers could research the information from weekly serveys, bait and tackle shops, etc. and compile the report for IDFG staff to review and place on the web site.A:
This is a good idea, and one we have tossed around, but not explored yet. We will take this into consideration. It will take some time to establish a framework for something such as this, but this could prove very worthwhile. Thank you for sharing your idea!answered 2/27/2012
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You can contact a region office. Our biologists are based there.answered 2/27/2012
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There is no set distance you must be away from homes or roads to hunt. You cannot shoot from or across the traveled portion, shoulder, or embankment of any maintained road (maintained by any government entity), or hunt on private property without permission from the landowner.answered 2/27/2012
Q: Where can I find good duck hunting near Moscow?
I am a student at the University of Idaho, where are some nearby good places to duck hunt? Where can I find out more information about public/private locations?A:
Unfortunately, the Clearwater Region is not well known for its waterfowl hunting. Access is limited due to private property but some field hunting and jump shooting of regional streams/ponds is available during migration with landowner permission. Scouting is the key for success for both birds and landowners willing to allow access. I'd suggest you watch birds from the U of I dairy ponds (behind WinCo) to see where they are feeding and try to gain permission from those landowners who have birds present. Good Luck!answered 2/27/2012
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The pelts of those wolves that can be safely recovered are sold at Idaho Fish and Game's annual fur auction. This year's auction will be held on Saturday, March 31, at the Southwest Regional office, 3101 S. Powerline Road, Nampa. For more information contact the Southwest Regional office at 208-465-8465.answered 2/27/2012
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Crayfish do not have a specific possession limit, however you can only have up to 5 traps at one time without obtaining a commercial fishing license and trap tags. This is from the 2012 fishing regulations: Trapping or Seining Minnows and Crayfish: Nongame fish (minnows), yellow perch, and crayfish may be taken only in waters open to fishing; provided the seine or net does not exceed ten (10) feet in length or width, and nets and seines must have three-eighths (3/8) inch square or smaller mesh; and the minnow or crayfish trap does not exceed two (2) feet in length, width or height. If the trap is of irregular dimension, but its volume does not exceed the volume of an eight (8) cubic foot trap, it is also legal to use. Nets and seines may not be left unattended. Traps must be checked at least every forty eight (48) hours. All traps must have a tag attached bearing the owner’s name and address. All game fish (except yellow perch) and protected nongame fish incidentally taken while trapping or seining must be immediately released alive. All fish so taken must immediately be killed except where stated otherwise. Crayfish may be kept alive to be used as bait only on the water where captured. Nongame fish and crayfish may only be taken during the season set for the taking of game fish in those waters. Only five (5) crayfish traps can be fished with a valid fishing license. If more than five traps are used at one time, you must obtain a Commercial Fishing License and trap tags. It is illegal to destroy, disturb, or remove any traps belonging to others.answered 2/27/2012
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In general it is NOT legal to use a crossbow during the archery only season, however it is legal to use one during the any weapon season.. An individual with a disabled archery permit is allowed to use a crossbow during the archery only season. Here is the information from the Big Game regulations: Archery Equipment In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and short range 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 let off. • 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. Archery-Only Season Any person hunting in an archery-only season, including controlled hunts, must have in their possession their license with archery permit validation. During an archery only season, it is illegal for hunters to use any firearm or implement other than a longbow, compound bow or recurve bow in compliance with general archery equipment requirements, or: • Any bow equipped with magnifying sights. • Any device that holds a bow at partial or full draw. Except hunters possessing a disabled archery permit may use a device that holds a bow at partial or full draw. (Applications for the use of devices holding a bow at partial or full draw by disabled hunters are available at Fish and Game offices.) • Any crossbow. Except disabled hunters possessing a permit may use a crossbow. (Applications for the use of crossbows by disabled hunters are available at Fish and Game offices.)answered 2/26/2012
Q: Is it possible to get a refund and return tags?
I recently purchased out so state tags for turkey and elk in the state of Idaho. Unfortunately, I just found out I need to have surgery and I will not be able to hunt this year in Idaho or any other state. I am wondering if there is any way to return my tags and license for a refund even if there is a paperwork fee that would be fine.A:
Nonresident hunting license and tags may be refunded less issuance fees and a $50 processing fee, in the event of: Illness or injury that disables a license holder for the entire applicable hunting season. Military deployment of license holder due to armed conflict. Death of the license holder or his or her parent, spouse or child. Tags and license must be returned with proof (death certificate, obituary, written justification by a licensed medical doctor, or copy of military orders). Hunting license fees will not be refunded after the license is used to apply for a controlled hunt or to buy a turkey, mountain lion or bear tag. The request must be postmarked by December 31 of the year in which the license was valid, except for “event of death” refund, which must be submitted within 1 year of the death. Mail the license, tag and written justification to: IDFG,Attention License Department, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707 Thank you for your question.answered 2/26/2012
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There is already a season on white-fronted geese or ‘specks’ in southwest Idaho. White-fronted geese are dark geese and have the same season framework as Canada geese (another dark goose). Pacific Flyway states like Idaho have a season framework that includes 107 days for dark goose hunting. In southwest Idaho in 2011-2012, the season ran from October 15 to January 27. In order to accommodate hunting beyond these dates into February or March, days would have to be removed from the regular season.answered 2/25/2012
Q: How do i get a copy of my Hunters Education Course?
I have already taken the class i just lost my card of proof, how do i get a copy?A:
You can contact your nearest Fish and Game Region office. They can look up your number and send you a new card. Thanks for the questionanswered 2/25/2012
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Check the Fish and Game website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/hed/public/default.aspx. New classes are posted there whenever an instructor plans one.answered 2/23/2012
Q: Do you know of any eagle scout projects?
I have two young men looking for eagle scout projects. They would like to do something for the fish and game. One asked about sagebrush restoration or other indigenous plant restoration. But they would be willing to take on several other projects. Generally eagle projects take 100 to 150 man hours and need to have challenging leadership building traits. Please let me know if there is a certain person I need to contact for this information.A:
Idaho Fish and Game has a long history of working with Eagle Scout candidates and is happy to continue the tradition. Here are a few bits of information that may help you find the right person to talk to: Idaho Fish and Game operates out of seven regions in the state. Most regions have a volunteer coordinator and this is the best person to initially contact about Eagle Scout projects. To find out who your coordinator is visit this link https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/volunteer/ The volunteer coordinator may have potential projects available or can direct you to a staff member that is looking to work with a scout. Remember that projects are not always available and different years and seasons provide different opportunities. Some years we are able to work with many scouts and other years our jobs demand that we focus our time and attention to other responsibilities. Please contact us with plenty of lead time as it is much easier to work out a project with time to spare. We appreciate hearing potential project ideas from the scout and also appreciate enthusiasm. The Eagle Scout canditate himself should be making the contact. We look forward to working with you in the future!answered 2/22/2012