Frequently Asked Questions

A: 

Consider the following 3 options: Most of the elk reside in the southern portion of the Unit, from Grouse Peak to the southern boundary of the unit.  This area is mostly public land, topographically diverse and high elevation.  You are likely to find elk in any drainage, particularly those with perennial creeks. There is good motorized access to much of this area with the opportunity to hike into remote areas as well.  Consult the Forest Service and BLM travel plan maps. Along the north end of the unit adjacent the Salmon River, elk can be found in the dry foothills during the day.  They move to fields along the Salmon River at night.  Access is more restrictive here and landowner contacts would be helpful in this area. The Pahsimeroi River lies within the eastern boundary of the unit.  The riparian zone is quite extensive and elk are common.  Access to private property is required here to hunt the private lands.

A: 

Steelhead do run to the Pahsimerio/Challis/Salmon area in the late fall.  Typically, we start to receive reports of steelhead being caught in the upper Salmon in late October/early November.  Most people fish the lower Salmon River in the fall (October in Riggins is my favorite fishing time) and the upper Salmon in the spring.   River conditions do play a large part on when they arrive in the upper Salmon country.  If the water cools in the Snake River early in the year, then the fish will move up the Snake and Salmon and arrive in October.  If the water remains warm into September, the fish will not enter the Snake River and their migration is delayed.

A: 

The best way to find out when waters are open to salvage is to watch our press releases on our webpage.  We do our best to let people know about rule and bag limit changes (including salvage orders) by sending information as soon as possible when a change order is signed. At the present time, there is a salvage order for the Big Wood 1.25 miles below Magic Dam and the posted Oster Lake ponds in the Hagerman area.

A: 

Currently there are classes scheduled in Ahsahka, Lewiston, Salmon and Idaho Falls.  We are working on scheduling more classes in different parts of Idaho including the Treasure Valley.  Please check the website for upcoming classes.  You can also call the Regional office and let them know you are interested in a class in their Region.

A: 

No; there are disease concerns with raccoons (rabies) so individuals cannot own a raccoon, fox, or skunk as a pet.   Idaho Code Section 25-236 prohibits individuals from possessing raccoon/fox/skunk, and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture enforces this law.  Public parks, zoos, museums and educational institutions can keep these animals if they get a permit from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.  

A: 

What you may be seeing on the fish is fungus from a wound on the fish.  Many times, when herrons or pelicans attempt to catch a fish and miss, there will be injuries on both sides the fish where fungus will grow.  Once established on the fish, it can spread and can cause eventual mortality.  The other thing is sunburn.  Yes, fish do sunburn in clear, shallow streams.  The lighter skin pigments will darken with time.

A: 

We'd love to hear from you.  The Department will be taking public comments on proposed changes to the 2015 & 2016 Moose, Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat seasons the end of December-early January at public meetings throughout the state and online through our website. Please check our website or contact your nearest IDFG office in mid-December for more details.     

A: 

Yes, the second general season nonresident deer or elk tag can be used to harvest the species the tag is for one of the species you list as long as there is a season for both the species of the tag and the species you harvest such as bear.

A: 

Provided you don't have a provision in any felony conviction that prevents you from owning or possessing a firearm; you've purchase a valid hunting license and tags; and have taken an archery education class or qualify for an archery validation - then you can use your archery equipment during a rifle season to harvest a game animal. IDFG Note 8/14/2014 4:15pm MST: Oops, we goofed. One does not need the archery validation to hunt with a bow during any weapon (rifle) season. If you're interested, you can read Idaho Code Title 36, Chapter 409 (e) for archery restrictions. It states the hunt must be specifically designated as an archery hunt to need an archery permit.

A: 

Broodstock goals for the adipose-clipped portion of the production (the fish that sport anglers can harvest when they return) sometimes change from one year to the next because of other changes in rearing space at the hatcheries or other rearing programs that also are occurring. At Pahsimeroi Hatchery more rearing space is needed this year for a program to supplement and rebuild the natural population that spawns above the weir. Over all the programs, the same number of adults are required for spawning because the hatchery can only rear a total of one million smolts. As smolt production in one program increases more adults are need for brood in that program, but brood need decreases in the other program since the total number of smolts that can be produced stays the same. At Sawtooth Hatchery, the increase in the brood need from 2012 to 2013 was a result of bringing another pump on line to provide more water to the hatchery. The additional water resulted in an increase in rearing capacity at the hatchery and the ability to rear more smolts resulted in the need for more adults for brood. The reduction from 900 in 2013 to 800 (800 is the correct brood number for 2014 at Sawtooth) was because of the need for more space for the supplementation and natural stock rebuilding program there.  For fish that return to a hatchery weir, most natural origin fish are passed upstream to spawn naturally. If the sport and tribal fisheries downstream of the weirs are successful at catching the hatchery fish they are targeting, there are very few fish that are excess to brood needs at the weirs. Putting eyed eggs in the streams has proven unsuccessful in the past. The returning adult hatchery fish are most valuable to everyone if they are harvested in a fishery or used as brood for fish reared to smolts in the hatchery so they can be released to support future fisheries. Each year, after brood needs at the hatcheries are determined, the sport and tribal fisheries are managed to catch the returning hatchery fish that aren't need for brood.

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When you perform a search on the Internet, your current years purchase history will show up on the license selection page. This information will show you what currently valid items you have purchased.

A: 

If you purchase a 2014 A Tag for the Weiser zone, you can only hunt during the dates, in the units and with weapon restrictions shown in the 2014 big game booklets for the Weiser A Tag (see page 44 of the 2014 Big Game Seasons and Rules brochure). If you wish to hunt in the October 25 to November 3rd hunt, you must have a Weiser B Tag. You can purchase a second general season elk tag at the reduced nonresident price ($300.75) starting August 1, which would allow you to have both the A and the B tag for the Weiser zone.