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 1726 - 1750 of 3534 questionsQ: What are the rules on tree stands?
Are they public domain meaning first come first serve? I understand the rules and this to be the case on BLM land but what are the rules in Caribou National forest? When can they be put up? How long can they stay up? This is confusing to all and leads to a lot of argument and confrontation. I have seen a TON of stands on national forest. Many are up year round almost all use screw in foot pegs. What is legal? Need your help. The fish and game regulations are too vague. Some say tree stands are not blinds and don't fall under the same rules.A:
Idaho Code and IDFG Commission rules to not address tree stands for the use of hunting, except on lands owned by IDFG. On our WMA's the use of tree stands are restricted as follows: To construct blinds, pits, platforms, or tree stands where the soil is disturbed, trees are cut or altered, and artificial fasteners, such as wire, rope, or nails are used. All blinds shall be available to the public on a "first-come - first-served" basis. Portable manufactured blinds and tree stands are allowed but may not be left overnight. You must contact the USFS and BLM for information relating to blinds and tree stands on lands they manage.answered 9/13/2013
Q: Can you describe ethical dispatch methods for animals in traps?
Specifically, what implements or weapons should be used, how many blows, to what part of the body for maximum killing effectiveness?A:
This topic is somewhat sensitive to many people. As a trapper it is something you can’t avoid. Its also very import that you’re good at it. Idaho provides a trapper education course to teach proper trapping and dispatching techniques. We also recommend you go out with an experienced trapper before you do it yourself. The preferred method of dispatch is using a small caliber handgun or firearm, usually .22 caliber, and place a shot in the brain. As a responsible trapper your main objective is to dispatch the animal very quickly if not instantly. With body grips such as conibears and with snares you won’t have a problem with dispatching the furbearer; these type of traps will do it for you. Be aware that your actions reflect on the activity and how people perceive the sport. You can find more techniques online at various websites.answered 9/12/2013
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Yes, cow decoys are legal for big game hunting.answered 9/12/2013
Q: Hunting with muzzeloader during an any weapon season
When hunting with a muzzeloader during the Whitetail-Deer general ANY weapon season, may sabots & jacketed bullets be used or do all the requirments of the muzzeloader seasons be followed? I.E. nojacketed, no sabots. Also, is the muzzeloader permit required to use a muzzeloader during the general ANY weapon season?A:
Yes, you during any general weapon season, you can use legal muzzle loader, archery, shotgun and handgun weapons as well as legal rifles. Consult the the big game brochure for weapon restrictions.answered 9/12/2013
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That would be up to the city of McCall; check with them to see if it is legal to hunt in town.answered 9/11/2013
Q: Non-resident permit verses license.
If I purchase a 3 day or day at a time, non-resident salmon/steelhead permit do I need to purchase a fishing license also? Also, My son will be hunting in Custer County, is there a problem with any resent forest fires damage to the area?A:
First, on the fire situation in Custer County. None of the significant fires experienced by Idaho in the summer of 2013 prompted closures in the Salmon/Custer County area. There have been closures in other parts of the state but the area where your son is hunting was spared. Ok, our 3-day Salmon and Steelhead license includes a three-day fishing license and a salmon/steelhead permit. It was established to be an inclusive package to allow nonresidents a short-term option to fish for salmon or steelhead. You can not purchase a salmon or steelhead permit with any other temporary/short-term fishing license. F08answered 9/10/2013
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Yes, if you have legally harvested, reported, and have a pelt tag placed on the pelt, and have a completed mortality report form in your possession, you may sell your hide or parts but not the edible meat. All wolves must be checked at a Fish and Game office to legally be able to sell the parts. However, all parts to be purchased, bartered or sold must be accompanied by a written statement showing said wildlife was lawfully harvested with the takers name, address, license and tag numbers, date and location of kill. See page 87 of the big game rules book for a more complete answer.answered 9/10/2013
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Elk tags are either a general Zone A or B tag or a controlled hunt tag. If a controlled hunt tag, the tag can only be used for controlled hunt unit and season of the controlled hunt. General elk zone tags (A or B) can only be used for the zone and seasons they were intended for. However, if you have a A tag, generally used for archery in a zone, there may be other opportunities for that Zone A tag for a spike season or late muzzle loader season. Please check the Big Game brochure for the zone and type elk tag you have. And remember, most Elk Zones consist of several units. The Brochure will tell you what, where, and when that tag is valid.answered 9/9/2013
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Yes, all hunting in Idaho requires the appropriate license, permits, and tags. There are certain incentives and programs for landowners who qualify for participation in the Landowner Appreciation Program. To learn more about the LAP program, visit: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/licenses/landAppreciationProgram.pdfanswered 9/9/2013
Q: do you stock lakes in wilderness areas?
For example, do you stock any of the lakes within the Sawtooth wilderness area, or do you only stock lakes outside the wilderness in the recreational areas. If you do *not* stock, did you at any point in time do so?A:
Yes, we stock mountain lakes in wilderness areas. We have a specific agreement with the Forest Service that allows us to stock mountain lakes by the same means and with the same species of fish as before wilderness designation was enacted. If we want to stock new lakes or use aircraft to stock lakes that were previously not stocked with aircraft, then the Forest Service needs to analyze the impacts of the action and grant us permission - if they deem the action consistent with the land management designation. In the case of the SNRA lakes we historically stocked those lakes with rainbow and cutthroat trout and they are typically stocked once every 3-years using a fixed-wing airplane. F08answered 9/8/2013
Q: Can I use my 2013 regular deer tag to harvest a ANTLERED Mule or White-tail deer
I am a resident and plan on hunting area 28 starting October 10th. Can I use my 2013 regular deer tag to harvest a ANTLERED Mule or White-tail deer in that area. I interpret the regulation as I can, but would like to make certain. Thanks for the help.A:
Sorry the response to this took so long but the answer to season questions are in the rules book. Unit 28 is on page 16 and hunting is allowed with a regular deer tag from Oct 10 -24, and a youth hunt antlerless until Oct 31on private land. You must look at the regulations to determine if the unit you are wishing to hunt allows you to harvest both species with that tag. Yes, your 2013 regular deer tag allows you to shoot any legal deer in a particular unit and during the season for that unit. However, not all units allow you to shoot a mule deer with a general tag, or a whitetail with a general tag. You are wise to be sure before you go.answered 9/8/2013
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Yes, a 17 year old (anyone born after 1975) that has passed Idaho’s or another state’s approved Bow Hunter Ed class, or can prove he has legally archery hunted in another state and has a valid license, tag, and archery permit can legally hunt alone in Idaho.answered 9/7/2013
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Yes, you can use your general spring turkey tag for a fall turkey so long as the tag is unused (see page 20 in upland game rules book).answered 9/6/2013
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There is currently no new rules being proposed by the Commission. You can track any commission action, including proposed rule changes through our web page, http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/commission/ under "About Us" and the commission tab.answered 9/6/2013
Q: Is there any information for the regions that allow spotlighting on public ground with an approved permit?
Trying to get some more info on the fine print for spotlighting. I'm located in Custer county.A:
A permit to hunt unprotected and predatory wildlife on public ground can be obtained through an application at any of the IDFG regional officers. There may be specific restrictions for seasonal use and location available at each regional office. No spotlight permit is required to hunt with an artificial light for unprotected and predatory wildlife on private land with the private landowner's written permission.answered 9/5/2013
Q: Have yellow jackets been released to battle spruce budworms?
There is a rumor going around that the Forest Service released millions of yellow jackets this spring to battle the spruce budworm problem. Is there any truth to this rumor?A:
Sorry for the delay in responding to your question. It sounds like a rumor, as yellow jacket populations tend to cycle up and down. You can always contact the local Forest Service office and ask them.answered 9/4/2013
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Yes, they can. There are no deadlines to purchase them.answered 8/27/2013
Q: What are the fishing daily hours for Steelhead and Salmon?
I have not been able to find in the regulations any resources on daily fishing hours, daylight to dark? Are there differences for Lakes, Rivers etc..A:
There are no set fishing hours for steelhead, so you could fish 24 hours per day. The only species of fish with set fishing hours are anadromous Chinook Salmon. Check annually for Chinook seasons, usually set by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission in March or April, for the listed fishing hours.answered 8/25/2013
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Only if you have a two-pole permit. With a fishing or combination license, you can only have one apparatus designed to catch fish, in the water at a time. With a two-pole permit, you can use two appartatuses actively attempting to take fish - at the same time. F08answered 8/25/2013
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A nonresident hunting license is $154.75 and the deer tag is $301.75answered 8/24/2013
Q: Can you fish below Lucky Peak Dam?
If you can fish below the damn at what point on the river can you start?A:
Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game does not have any rules prohibiting anglers from fishing below the dam, however, the entity that operates the facility may have restrictions to address public safety issues. Typically, they post signs and have buoy lines to designate safety risk areas. If you access the area to fish by crossing posted property, you run the risk of being cited for trespass.answered 8/24/2013
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Ok, if the Idaho Fish and Game Commission sets a season for ocean-going Chinook salmon, Chinook that are over 24" in length and missing their adipose fin are considered "adults" and must be recorded on your Salmon Permit. Ocean-going Chinook under 24" are considered a jack salmon and you may or may not be able to harvest them based on the bag limit set for the season. For landlocked Chinook in Lake Coeur d'Alene, you can harvest two and they must be over 20" in length. All other waters where we have landlocked Chinook, they are considered in your trout limit - so we can harvest 6 of any size.answered 8/22/2013
Q: Are the fires impacting the Pioneer Zone?
I have an elk archery tag for the Pioneer Zone. Are the fires around Hailey affecting this area?A:
As of yet, no. The fires to-date have remained west of ID-75 and outside of the Pioneer Zone. You can view realtime fire information with Hunt Area overlays at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/maps/realtime/fire/ and in the Huntplanner MapCenter at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/mapcenteranswered 8/19/2013
Q: why was there a salmon season on the clearwater but not on the upper salmon? Neither section reached its goals and the clearwater fell far short.
I want salmon recovered as much as anyone but it frustrates me to no end to see fish being exploited in the clearwater when we knew in advance they would not meet brood stock goals. Furthermore, we knew Pahsimeroi was not going to meet goals yet we continued to fish in and around Riggins. Conversely, the Sawtooth hatchery met its goal but with little to spare. Am I to understand that if I want to fish for chinook I must prepare to travel to Riggins or Lewiston to do so? Seems like the more logical route would to fish salmon closer to the hatcheries.A:
We offered the opportunity to harvest salmon in Clearwater drainage because we have several sources to back-fill any shortages of hatchery fish from hatcheries like Dworshak, Kooskia, Rapid River, and Oxbow. We don't have the same number of hatcheries to back-fill shortages of fish in the upper Salmon River drainage. In the upper Salmon, the Pahsimeroi salmon run fell far short of expectations. We can provide some eggs from the South Fork Salmon River trap and Sawtooth Hatchery, but we still anticipate being short of our production goal. F08answered 8/19/2013
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You can exchange your elk tag at any IDFG office or Headquarters before the season opens for the tag you currently have.answered 8/18/2013