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 1251 - 1275 of 3534 questionsQ: Bear Bait reply [clarification of container size]
I noticed there was a question about bear baiting. It was stated that the container needs to be 55 gallon or LARGER. But in the regs it states : Containers: No bait may be contained within paper, plastic,glass, metal, wood, or other nonbiodegradable materials, except that a single metal container with a maximum size of 55 gallons may be used if securely attached at the bait site. I just wanted to ensure that the correct info is being released.A:
You are correct. Here is the information from the Big Game rules book: Containers: No bait may be contained within paper, plastic, glass, metal, wood, or other nonbiodegradable materials, except that a single metal container with a maximum size of 55 gallons may be used if securely attached at the bait site. • No bait may be contained in any excavated hole greater than 4 feet in diameter. Thank youanswered 4/28/2014
Q: Concealed weapons permit [meets hunter safety education requirement?]
if I have a concealed weapons permit and I'm 30 years old do I have to take the hunters safety course?A:
Hunter education is required for everyone getting a hunting license in the state of Idaho who was born January 1, 1975 or later. A concealed weapons permit is not a replacement for a hunter education course.answered 4/28/2014
Q: Must you kill crawfish immeadiately?
I understand that it is not safe to cook crawfish that have died. So if we must kill them right away how can we safely take them home to prepare for a meal?A:
By rule, it is illegal to transport live crayfish away from the body of water where they were captured. This is to prevent spreading of invasive crayfish to new waters and to prevent crayfish diseases and parasites from being spread to waters that may not contain the disease or parasite. Crayfish do breakdown rapidly once they die. What I've seen crayfish anglers do is to hold their crayfish until they are ready to depart. At that point, they kill the crayfish and break-off and place the tails (the portion you eat) in a bag with ice. They can then be transported to their final destination for consumption.answered 4/27/2014
Q: Unit 27 Deer [over-the-counter tags? season dates?]
Can a Individual buy a Unit 27 deer tag over the counter just prior to the hunt starting or do you have to apply? Also wondering what the Unit 27 General Deer season dates are for any weapon in 2014? And am i restricted to hunting only Unit 27 for deer.A:
You must purchase a hunting license and a regular deer tag. They are both sold over-the-counter so you can purchase them when you want after July for fall hunting. The deer tag is valid for any general season hunt, including unit 27. The season dates for unit 27 are September 15-October 31. It is open for antlered deer only; any legal weapon can be used.answered 4/27/2014
Q: Paintball [is it legal?]
Can I play paintball with some friends in Valley County or by Cascade if I use water filled paintballs or clear paint?A:
Paintball is prohibited on lands owned and managed by IDFG (WMAs, access sites ...) by rule IDAPA 13.01.03.100.p. http://adm.idaho.gov/adminrules/rules/idapa13/0103.pdf. If the land is managed by other agencies, you must contact them.answered 4/26/2014
Q: Is it true that channel catfish do not spawn in Idaho?
I've heard that catfish must be stocked to maintain populations in this state. I'm particularly interested in Boundary and Bonner counties.A:
Channel catfish do successfully spawn in a few waterbodies throughout the state, however, most waters in North Idaho do not maintain the minimum water temperature long enough (>75 F) for reproduction. Channel catfish are a relatively long lived fish ~15 - 20 years and grow rapidly when young. Adults reach sexual maturity at about 3 years of age. Males prepare nests and attract females from long distances to spawning locations. Once spawning is complete the males guard the nest until juvenile fish are mobile and can actively feed on insects.answered 4/26/2014
Q: Fines/consequences for use of wild game/ game fish for trapping bait?
What are the penalties/fines for use of wild game/ game fish for bobcat trapping bait, for a JR.?A:
This violation is a misdemeanor. The penalties include a fine that can range from $25.00 to $1,000.00 plus court costs and may include jail time up to six months. The magistrate may revoke fishing, hunting and/or trapping privileges for up to three years. If an animal is involved there is an additional $50.00 penalty per furbearer illegally killed, possessed or wasted.answered 4/26/2014
Q: Parking permit required [for hike-in and camp?]
Do i need a parking permit if i plan to park and hike in and camp during hunting season this fall? it would be 6 or more days.A:
You must check with the land management agency about parking/camping permits.answered 4/26/2014
Q: Morel mushroom hunting [permit required?]
Do i need a permit to morel mushroom hunt in Idaho, if so how much is it and were do i purchase one? this is for personal not commercial.A:
This is a question for a land management agency (Forest Service or BLM).answered 4/26/2014
Q: Hunter Ed. field day sign up
Hello, Is there a way to look up to verify if a person has signed up for their hunters ed. field day? I believe I did sign my son up for a May 10th field day, but am not able to find a verification email or link saying so. Thanks!A:
Contact the Hunter Education department at Fish and Game Headquarters (208-334-3746). They can look up students to determine if they are signed up.answered 4/25/2014
Q: Why are the boating boundries at Lake Walcott becoming smaller, who decides that all of a sudden the the boundries that have been in place for many years are now going to change?
Provide as many specifics as you can to help better answer your question. Please omit personal information in this area.A:
To whom it may concern, First, thanks for taking the time to contact us with your question. This is a common question we receive each year. Anglers assume the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has jurisdiction over the boating boundaries (aka buoy line) because in most cases it functions to restrict fishing access on Lake Walcott since much of the boat traffic is made up of anglers. However, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) does not have jurisdiction over boat access on the Minidoka Wildlife Refuge. That boundary is determined, maintained, and enforced by Minidoka Wildlife Refuge staff. In addition, the IDFG does not have any fishing rules restricting boat access in the current fishing rules. It is our understanding the boundary is set based on set coordinates and there should not be any deliberate modification of the boundary. We have heard in years past that some buoys that mark the boundary get moved either by boaters or naturally during severe weather conditions. Modifications you've noticed may not have been deliberate and we're sure the Refuge Manager would appreciate knowing if something is wrong. If you wish to contact the Minidoka Wildlife Refuge to learn more about the boundary, you can find their website online (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/minidoka) or contact them via telephone at (208) 436-3589. The current Refuge Manager is Jeffery Krueger. A side note to consider is that the Minidoka Wildlife Refuge will be crafting a long-term management plan in the near future. There is a public process involved where the Refuge seeks public comments on current management and accepts feedback regarding changes you'd like them to consider. You can learn more by contacting the Refuge directly by phone and never underestimate the power of your opinions. We hope this helps answer your question and we're glad you're taking advantage of the great fishing over the past few years. Please contact the Magic Valley Region Fishery Manager directly (208-324-4359) if you'd like to learn more about the fishery and IDFG's fishery mangement goals.answered 4/25/2014
Q: Multiple Super hunts [in the same year?]
Is it possible to draw more than one super hunt during the same year? If someone would draw the elk super hunt on the first drawing could they still draw the moose on that drawing or the second drawing if the have tickets?A:
Yes, it would theoretically be possible to draw more than one super hunt tag. One thing to remember is that applications from the first yearly drawing do not carry over to the second drawing.answered 4/25/2014
Q: Honey Burn [legal as a method of baiting bears?]
Is a honey burn considered bait and would it require a permit for it? A honey burn is conducted by heating a tin can with honey in it to a boil which creates a smoke that smells of honey and attracts bearsA:
You cannot leave the can in the woods once you leave. Also, there may be fire restrictions and concerns on some forest areas at certain times of the year. Otherwise, you may use burned honey for bear bait.answered 4/25/2014
Q: Second Zone option for Elk
I filled out the survey regarding a potential secondary tag for elk for about $30 it said on your website. I envouraged my friends and everyone I ran intoi to fill it out also. Now, I can't find any information regarding the option to purchase an additional zone or season as had been mentioned. Under this proposal, only one animal could be harvested, but it allowed you to buy for example a McCall zone tag at the regular price and a Pioneer zone tag for an additional fee or an arhchery McCall and a rifle McCall etc. Every hunter I spoke to all winter was very excited about this and I've gone to meetings and read the minutes where it was discussed and seemed to have been generally accepted. Now, there is nothing in the 2014 Regs. mentioning this at all, nothing on the website and everyone is confused. Please give us the scoop on this grrrrreat idea! -Cam in BoiseA:
Cam, Thanks for the question on the 2-zone tag for elk and what is the plan for implementation for such a option? The Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved the Elk Management Plan in January. The next step is to begin to implement the plan. The 2 zone tag system was one of the concepts developed in the plan that we need to do further work on to develop something that will be acceptable to the elk hunting public, while trying to avoid adverse consequences to elk populations. The public gave mixed reviews on the concept with strong support from the first statewide survey and then less support from the second survey where we had more of the developed concept with details. Since reviews were mixed we don’t say that the 2 zone system will be implemented immediately, but that we are continuing to work on possible options to bring back to the public for review. In order to implement a 2 Zone tag, we need to first develop a plan for how we will include and or exclude zones in relationship to whether they are meeting objectives or not. We don’t want to put extra harvest pressure in places that are already just meeting objective or below objective, which could be counterproductive. Currently about a 1/3 of our zones are above objective, 1/3 are meeting objectives and 1/3 are below objective on cows and bulls. We want to try to expand hunting opportunity, but it is imperative that we don’t do more harm than good in regard to elk populations and hunter satisfaction. The concept on the cost of $30 was just a figure we threw out to start the discussion with the public. The way the system works is that the legislature actually sets the fees that we charge and thus that process will have to take place before any implementation of a 2 zone system as far as cost are concerned. We will be working on possible options throughout the next few months and we will hopefully be asking the public their opinions about those options this year. Stay tuned on our website information in the coming months.answered 4/24/2014
Q: Wolves [age of wolf harvested?]
What was the youngest wolf "harvested" by hunting or trapping in the wolf season that closed in March?A:
We obtain the age of harvested wolves by counting the annular "rings" from a cross-section of the teeth (much as with aging a tree). We accumulate teeth for aging over the course of the season, submitting them to an external lab about this time of year. Thus we have no ages of 2013-2014 wolves back from the lab (we should have thm by this coming fall). During the 2012-2013 season, the youngest wolf taken by hunting was 4 months of age, taken during September 2012. While we sometimes weigh whole wolves when they are checked, no weight was available for this wolf. The youngest wolf taken by trapping was 6 1/2 months of age, taken during late November 2012. This wolf weighed 57 lbs.answered 4/24/2014
Q: Keeping of jack salmon
When fishing for Chinook salmon you are allowed to keep 2 jack salmon (salmon under 24 inches) per day as long as they are hatchery fish as evidence by the heald scar on the adipose fin. Since jack salmon are sexually immature and not considered as breeding fish, why does it matter if the jack is a hatchery fish or a wild fish? It is not a breeder anyway, so why not allow the keeping of wild jack salmon?A:
That's an interesting question - why do jack Chinook salmon get protection similar to what the adult fish get. Part of the reason is that they actually are sexually mature fish. Jacks are males that return to freshwater to spawn after spending only one year in the ocean and they do spawn. As a side note, there are some "jills" or sexually mature females that return each year that have spent only one year in the ocean. But the number of jills in any year is very, very low; typically less than 10 fish in a run of 80,000 total fish. Because the jacks are sexually mature they are important in the life cycle of salmon. In years of low Chinook returns when there are fewer female fish on the spawning grounds, it's good to have more males present to ensure the males can find the female fish and the eggs of each naturally spawning female are fertilized. Also, competition among the 1-ocean, 2-ocean and 3-ocean males to spawn with an individual female is important for maintaining the fitness of the populations. When the salmon populations have recovered to fishable levels, harvest of both jack and adult wild salmon can be allowed. A correction on your interpretation of the daily limits is important so you can keep as many fish as the rules allow you to. For the Snake, Salmon, Little Salmon and South Fork Clearwater rivers the limit isn't 2 jacks per day but rather it is 4 Chinook salmon but not more than 2 may be adult fish. Under that definition of the limit an angler could catch and keep 4 jacks as their daily limit, or they could keep 3 jacks and 1 adult or 2 jacks and 2 adults. If you are fishing and have caught and kept 3 jacks, you can continue to fish for the fourth fish and keep that one whether it is a jack or an adult fish (assuming that the adipose fin has been clipped). If the first two fish you catch and keep are both adult fish, you cannot fish any more that day since you have achieved the adult limit. The reason for writing the rule that way is to provide more flexibility so anglers have greater opportunity to harvest fish. It is impossible for us to forecast how many jacks might return each year. If there are a lot of jacks we won't need as many for brood stock in our hatcheries so more harvest can be allowed. If there are not a lot the limits are still flexible to allow anglers to catch and harvest adult fish.answered 4/24/2014
Q: Is the super hunt refundable?
When i pay my 6.00 dollar admission for the super hunt. Is every 4 dollar admission after that refundable. Kind of like when you put in for a moose tag and don't drawA:
No. The $6.00 and $4.00 that you pay to enter the superhunt drawings are application fees and application fees are not refundable. The application fee for the moose controlled hunt is not refunded, either.answered 4/24/2014
Q: hunting questin
Can you use a slingshot or a pellet gun for huntingA:
This depends on the age of the hunter, hunting license requirments, what is being hunted, and where the hunting occurs. This question is too broad to answer in this format. Please return to our website for specific rules and regulations regarding weapon restrictions.answered 4/23/2014
Q: Extra Turkey Tags [Can I shoot 3 turkeys in the spring season?]
The hunting regulations states that an hunter can purchase 2 extra turkey tags. If I fill both my regular turkey tag and my 1st extra tag, can I use my 2nd extra tag in the spring for the general season? In other words, can I shoot 3 turkeys in the spring season?A:
No...the bag and possession limits for turkeys state that: The daily bag limit is one bearded turkey per day in the spring and one turkey (either sex) per day in the fall, except in Units, 1, 2, 3 and 5 where 5 turkeys (either sex) may be taken in a day during fall seasons. No more than two bearded turkeys may be taken per spring. The most tags one hunter may possess in one year is six.answered 4/23/2014
Q: Why is fish and game officers allowed to ride 4-wheelers on closed rds and place rd closed signs anywhere they want.
the rules says no motorized veichles on closed rds. Then why is it allowed for fish and game to ride there 4-wheelers on closed rds. I understand that your trying to stop people from doing it. that doesn't mean your officers can. They need to learn how to walk or park by the main rd to stop people . Not ride there 4-wheeler up the trail and sit there, Maybe the fish and game should follow the same rules and laws that the public has too. which would you rather have respect from the public or no respect at all.A:
Wildlife violations and concurrent violations of motorized vehicle restrictions are difficult to detect. Our officers cannot appropriatley monitor compliance without accessing the roads. Many times these violations are reported from the public and the only way to seek compliance is by accessing the road. Access only occurs while acting in an official law enforcement capacity to achieve the intent of the rule.answered 4/23/2014
Q: Cameras attached to bows..[why is it illegal?]
I read about attaching a gopro camera to a bow and your saying its illegal, Why, it cant help the hunter kill an elk or deer. its there to video his hunt. I think the fish and game need to look into this a little more.A:
You are correct. Currentl it is unlawful to use a bow with any electronic or tritium-powered device attached to, or incorporated into, an arrow, bolt, crossbow, or bow (except nonmagnifying scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles may be used by disabled archery permit holders). We appriciate your recommendation. We continually evaluate our rules in regards to new and improving technology.answered 4/23/2014
Q: Where to hunt for a turkey [in unit 73]...
Where in unit 73 can one hunt and find a turkey thats not on private land?A:
Turkey distribution in Unit 73 is patchy and linked to available forage and water, which may vary from year to year. A good place to start hunting for turkey in this unit may be the Malad face near a couple of feed lots south of Malad. Turkeys have also been observed near Weston Reseroir and Wood Canyon in the past. Good Luckanswered 4/22/2014
Q: Is Mountain Home Reservior going to be stocked in 2014?
Wondering if Mtn. Home Reservoir going to be stocked in 2014?A:
We have chosen to not stock Mt. Home Reservoir during 2014. From recent tagging studies, we have learned that very few rainbow trout return to anglers creels during moderate to poor water years. Catchable rainbow trout are very expensive to raise and stock. Our agency has to be very efficient in allocating these resources. As you know, reservoir storage levels were very low this spring. Also, there was a relative lack of low-elevation snow limiting the possibility of re-fill. As soon as water levels/amounts improve, we will resume stocking.answered 4/21/2014
Q: Turkey harvest [can I use one tag for two turkeys?]
I harvested a turkey last week and validated my tag. Do I need to purchase another tag to take another turkey or is my first tag still good to use and validate again?A:
Each turkey tag can only be used for one turkey. You must purchase another tag if you want to harvest another turkey.answered 4/21/2014
Q: Upper Salmon River Chinook
why is it that every year a chinook salmon season is set for all waters from the lower salmon river all the way to the ocean based on estimated returns, but those of us that fish the upper river have to wait until the fish are actually counted comming up the river to find out if we can race up to the river for a week or two to try our hand at getting one out of the few hundred fish quota if we even get a season at all? Seems as though Those of us up river are not being represented.A:
We can relate to your concerns. Being on the upper-most reaches of the Columbia River system, we watch Idaho salmon and steelhead being harvested by anglers, commercial fishermen, and tribal members in the ocean, Washington, and Oregon - with no way for us to influence the number of fish being taken in the fisheries. Afterall, we put all the effort into producing those fish so we should have more control over down-river harvest, right? Before we set seasons for the Snake/Clearwater/Lower Salmon rivers, the South Fork Salmon River reach, or the Upper Salmon River - we need to have solid information on fish returning to Idaho - and we do, once the fish begin their journey past the lower Columbia and Snake River dams. Here's how we collect the information: Just prior to the young fish beginning their journey to the ocean, we insert passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags into about 10% of the fish leaving hatcheries. Each of these tagged fish have an individual identifying number (similar to a social security number) that can be read when they pass an antenna located at most of the Snake/Columbia River dams. This allows us to track the salmon and steelhead as they move downstream and when they return as adults on their way to Idaho. The salmon destined for the Snake River, Clearwater River, and Little Salmon River are all early-run fish. We track, using the PIT tags, catch of Idaho bound salmon in the fishery below Bonneville Dam and when they begin crossing Bonneville dam beginning in late March and early April. Using simple ratios of PIT tagged fish from the various hatcheries, we generate estimated returns of hatchery fish beginning at Bonneville Dam. That is the basis for the lower Salmon/Snake and Clearwater seasons. Salmon destined for the South Fork Salmon River pass Bonneville Dam later in the year. Once we know how many PIT tagged fish pass Bonneville Dam and can project a return to the South Fork Salmon River, then we set a season and quota for that fishery. The last group of spring Chinook to enter the Columbia River are the salmon headed for the Upper Salmon River. A percentage of these fish were PIT tagged at Sawtooth Fish Hatchery and Pahsimeroi Fish Hatchery, so again we use a simple ratio of PIT tagged fish passing Bonneville Dam versus the total count of adult salmon passing Bonneville Dam to generate an estimate of the number of fish returning to the Upper Salmon River. This usually happens in early to mid-June. We are confident there will be enough hatchery salmon returning to the Upper Salmon River to have a limited fishery in 2014. Dates and quotas will be set once we see the PIT tagged fish passing Bonneville Dam and the lower Snake River dams. Stay tuned. F08answered 4/21/2014