Frequently Asked Questions

A: 

Yes, you can. They have been available since January 1, 2003. Because no rules prohibited such plates, the Transportation Department decided it was allowed to issue some special interest plates for such towed vehicles. Wildlife license plates, including the bluebird, elk and cutthroat trout, generate money for Idaho Fish and Game nongame programs.

A: 

Hunters can sign up to participate in depredation hunts - special controlled hunts used to relieve big game damage problems on agricultural crops - for deer, elk and pronghorn in areas they are willing to hunt in 2011 when the Big Game Seasons and Rules books come out in April. They may apply only once each year for deer, once for elk, and once for pronghorn. Applications received before June 30 are placed in random order. Applications received after June 30 are placed at the end of the list in the order received, and generally have little chance of being selected. Most regions issue only a handful of depredation permits each year. Contact the regional Fish and Game offices in the areas you want to hunt. For an application online go to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/rules/bg/ch.pdf; or go to Pages 76 and 77 in the 2010 Big Game Seasons and Rules book; or contact the nearest Fish and Game office.

A: 

This license allows 10- and 11-year-olds to hunt upland game birds, migratory waterfowl, cottontail rabbits, and unprotected and predatory birds and animals, as well as turkeys and sandhill cranes - with the appropriate tags. They must have a hunter education certification, and the holder of an adult Idaho hunting license must accompany the youth in the field. For more information refer to general hunting license regulations or visit the Fish and Game Website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/licenses/.

A: 

A gift certificate to cover a new hunting/fishing license is one idea. Also, Fish and Game offers annual license and lifetime license certificates. These licenses are valid for the lifetime of the license holder and are available to all residents of Idaho. If a lifetime certificate holder moves out of Idaho, they will continue to receive an annual license, but they will have to pay nonresident tag and permit fees. The lifetime certificate does not include tags and permits. Lifetime certificates can be purchased at Idaho Fish and Game headquarters and regional offices. The cost varies with the age of the buyer.Applicant ---- Combination -- Hunting -- Fishing0 - 1 year ---- $795.50 ------ $276.75 ---- $601.752 - 50 years --- $1,113 ------- $386.75 ---- $841.7551 and older --- $636.75 ------ $221.75 ---- $481.75

A: 

No, the archery validation is only required when you are hunting big game during an archery-only season. It isn't required during short-range seasons or when you are not hunting big game.

A: 

Yes, it is legal to carry a handgun while archery hunting. But it's illegal to use any firearm to take an animal or finish off a wounded animal in an archery-only season.

A: 

The limit, based on federal law, applies to all waterfowl in possession, whether fresh, frozen, smoked or processed. The geese must be consumed or given away - accompanied by a properly filled out proxy form - before they no longer count against the limit. (The rule is different for upland birds. The possession limit for upland birds ends when the birds are at their final place of consumption.)

A: 

To buy a license to hunt big game, a person must have completed a hunter education program - unless he or she was born before January 1975 - and must be 12 years old. But youths may buy a license while still 11 to apply for a controlled hunt, provided they turn 12 before they hunt. The tag, however, can't be issued until they turn 12. They must be 12 to buy a general season deer or elk tag.

A: 

It depends. In addition to a valid 2010 Idaho hunting license, hunters need a permit to hunt sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse. Any person hunting sage- or sharp-tailed grouse must have in possession their license with a sage/sharp-tailed grouse permit validation, available from license vendors at $4.75. No permit other than a hunting license is required to hunt forest grouse, including blue, ruffed and spruce grouse. Check 2010 upland game rule book for seasons and bag limits.

A: 

Yes. The mourning dove season opens September 1, and in addition to a 2010 hunting license, hunters must have a federal "Migratory Game Bird Harvest Information Program Validation," migratory bird permit for short - not a duck stamp. It costs $1.75 for resident hunters and $4.75 for nonresidents. For more details see the 2010-2011 & 2011-2013 Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey rules brochure.

A: 

You can simply ignore purchasing your controlled hunt tag and pick up a general tag when they become available on August 2. Or you can fill out an affidavit at any Idaho Fish and Game office to cancel your controlled hunt now. The usual reason to hurry on this is because tags may sell out soon in elk hunting zones that are capped, meaning that only a set number of tags will be issued in those zones. Residents may purchase general season tags now, unless they have drawn a controlled hunt, in which case they cannot purchase the general season tag for the species they have drawn before August 2.