Frequently Asked Questions

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Nonresident deer and elk tags (exluding nonresident junior mentored deer and elk tags) are valid to take a black bear, mountain lion or gray wolf instead of a deer or elk IF a season is open for that species, where and when the deer or elk tag is valid, and if there is an open deer or elk season in that same unit.  For more information, see page 14 and 98 of the 2013 Big Game Season and Rules: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgCHinfo.pdf

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Yes. Short range weapon seasons can use straight walled cartridges originally designed as handgun loads, which the .45 ACP is.

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We allow purchasing for a spouse (you may need to prove you're still married) provided all information such as drivers license and address are still current.  An adult can purchase items for their children when the child is not present.  You can purchase licenses or other items for nonresidents who are not with you, provided you have their information.   What we don't allow is for a person (resident or nonresident) to purchase for another unrelated adult, resident licenses that require verification of residency.   F08

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Yes, you can.

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Owning real property or paying property taxes within the state of Idaho is not a qualification for residency. Proof of residency is required to buy any resident license. A resident is anyone who has been domiciled in this state with a bona fide intent to make this their place of permanent abode, for a period of not less than 6 months immediately preceding the date of application for any license, tag or permit. A senior resident is anyone over 65 who has lived in the state at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of application for a senior license or tag. A driver must prove residency with a valid Idaho driver’s license..  

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Setting waterfowl seasons is a cooperative effort among state and federal agencies.  The United States and Canada are divided into four flyways: the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central and Pacific.  Idaho is in the Pacific Flyway.  For each flyway, a framework is set for each hunting season and is the same for each state in the flyway.  The framework establishes the maximum length of the waterfowl hunting season between the Saturday nearest September 24 and the last Sunday in January, and establishes the framework for bag limits. Once the framework is established, states are then able to modify their seasons accordingly.  A state can be more restrictive than the federal framework, but a state cannot choose a season that is more liberal.  For example, Idaho cannot choose to have a youth waterfowl bag limit of any seven birds as you proposed as it would be considered more liberal than the federal framework.   The timing of the youth hunt could be modified.  If this is somthing you are interested in pursuing, please contact your local Fish and Game Commissioner.  You can locate your Commissioner's contact information at the following link: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/commission/?getPage=183.

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Items for 2014 will go on sale on December 1, 2013.  They will go on sale on December 1 every year for the next year's hunting. The only items that won't go on sale on that date are resident elk and deer tags.  All other resident licenses and tags go on sale December 1.  All nonresident licenses and tags go on sale on December 1.  

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Here are some basic rules you need to follow: 1)  Anything with a reel, line, and upto 5 hooks can be used to harvest fish.  Traps (baskets, weirs, etc.) are illegal unless you are trapping crayfish.  You can legally have 5 crayfish traps in the water at once with a valid fishing license. 2) Whatever gear you use, it must be attended.  You can use the Yo Yo reel, but you must be present and attending to the gear when it's in use.  You can not set this gear and leave it to fish.  With one fishing license, you can set one Yo Yo reel.  A two-pole permit would allow you to set two Yo Yo reels - both of which would need to be under your immediate attention. 3) You can use a seine to take minnows (juvenile nongame fish used for bait).  If harvested for bait they must immediately be killed.  They can not be moved to a different water, alive. 4) Parts of game and nongame fish can be used for bait.   In summary, the Yo Yo reel can be used with upto 5 hooks as long as you are attending the gear.  Using a "fish-basket" is illegal.   F08

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It depends on if we are talking about fishing and hunting seasons, bag limits, gear restrictions, etc. For setting both fish and hunting rules, we have an extensive public input process we follow.  Our Fish and Game Commission actually approved a policy document in 2006 that outlines all steps.  We can send it to you - if you wish.  Just send a follow-up e-mail. As for making recommendations on changes to fish or wildlife rules, the best time to write us a letter, e-mail or attend public meetings to express your ideas are in January.  Big game public input meetings usually start mid-January with culmination of season setting in March. Fishing rules are now last three years and the next opportunity to provide input will be in January 2015.  We will take input prior to that date and hold it for consideration until 2015.    

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Yes, Unit 4 is in a zone that included Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, and 9.  You could have used a rifle to take an antlered elk in any of those units from October 10 - 24 using your B tag.   F08

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You must leave evidence of sex naturally attached to the largest part of the carcass until the final place of storage or personal consumption.  That means that if you bone and package the meat, you must leave a large chunk with the testicles, penis, vulva, or mammary left naturally attached and easily shown to an officer or biologist at a check station.  The tag must remain with the meat as well.  You also must keep your antlers if you harvest a bull, but you also need evidence of sex unless the antlers are naturally attached to the carcass.  You can package your meat and keep it in a cooler so long as these rules are followed.   We prefer you dispose of the carcass in a landfill.  Legs, hides, and heads are often left in campgrounds and along roads, and that is illegal.  Also, if you are butchering in a campground, be aware that bears and other carnivores may be attracted to scraps.  Please pick them up and dispose of them properly.

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Good morning,  Are you within Boise city limits?  If so, you might check with the city or Ada county to determine what the rule is regarding discharging a firearm within city limits as I believe shooting an air rifle within city limits is illegal. The eastern & grey fox squirrel are considered unprotected species and may be taken where legal to do so.