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 1801 - 1825 of 3534 questionsA:
If your license was purchased online, you should have printed it at the time of purchase. We no longer mail licenses; we still mail tags, however.answered 7/16/2013
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Unfortunately, walleye are starting to establish themselves in Lake Pend Oreille. They are an aggressive predator that can dominate a fish community under certain conditions. We are concerned that another predatory fish in this system may interfere with our attempts to bring back kokanee and trophy rainbow trout. The largest population of walleye currently resides in the Pondery River downstream of the Highway 95 bridge leading into Sandpoint. F08answered 7/16/2013
Q: Are Johnson Creek freshwater mussels safe to eat?
I was wondering if freshwater mussels from Johnson Creek are safe to eat if boiled twice. ThanksA:
I'm not sure which Johnson Creek to which you're referring. Mussels are filter feeder and tend to bioaccumulate heavy metals and other contaminants. If you are going to each mussels from Idaho waters, it is a good idea to flush them with freshwater prior to cooking. As a rule of thumb, if I don't want to drink the water out of a stream because of contaminat risk, I'd be hesitant to eat the mussels from that water source. F08answered 7/16/2013
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Yes, you can carry a sidearm for your protection.answered 7/16/2013
Q: Pelican Nesting Sites in Idaho
The 2009 - 2013 Pelican Management Plan lists Blackfoot Reservoir and Lake Walcott and the two pelican nesting sites in Idaho. Lake Cascade has a large population of pelicans in the summer. Does this include breeding pairs or are the juveniles and otherwise non-breeding individuals?A:
Although pelicans are wide-spread throughout Idaho, there are only two documented nesting sites recognized - both of which are in south Idaho. One is located on the Minidoka Wildlife Refuge in Lake Walcott. The other is at Blackfoot Reservoir. F08answered 7/15/2013
Q: My husband would like to become a game warden in Idaho
We are wondering what would be the best route to go to become a Game Warden? He still needs to go through schooling but we are wondering, since we are on a tight budget, if there is a specific school or classes that would be best. This is a job he would excel in and Northern Idaho is a dream spot for us. We currently live in Washington State. Are there any programs he could start to get his foot in the door? Any information would be great. Thank you!A:
The Conservation Office (game warden) is a high sought-after position. To qualify, you need to have a bachelors degree and at least four upper division classes with a fish/wildlife/natural resource emphasis. A degree in fish or wildlife management or closely related field is a plus. After screening the applications, we narrow the field to the most qualified people. We then conduct background checks to verify no major legal violations that would interfer with their enforcement of laws. Next, we conduct interviews and assess physical fittness to make sure they can meet minimum standards for an Idaho peace officer. The next step for the select few is a physicologic evaluation. If hired, we then assign the Officer to a patrol area and schedule them to attend Peace Officer Standard Training (POST). After POST, you are assigned to a Field Training Officer (FTO) for evaluation. If the FTO agrees that you are a competitant officer - then you have become an Idaho Department of Fish and Game Conservation Officer. F08answered 7/15/2013
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Start with the Salmon River. You can catch and keep two rainbow trout. Rapid River is another water where you can catch and keep two trout. In the summer, fish the 7-Devils Lake at the end of the road. You can keep 6 rainbow trout and 25 brook trout. If you don't mind a walk, the limit in Bernard and Black lakes are also 6 rainbow and 25 brook trout. F08answered 7/15/2013
Q: What alpine lakes in Idaho have been planted with tiger muskie?
I could not find a list of all of the lakes where tiger muskie have been planted to control non-natives such as brook trout.A:
Panhandle Region Lake Year(s) Size Number Blue Lake 1989 – 2007 Catchable & Fing. 1,499 Dawson Lake 1989 – 2007 Catchable & Fing. 482 Freeman Lake 1989 – 2007 Catchable & Fing. 440 Hauser Lake 1989 – 2007 Catchable & Fing. 6,271 Shepherd Lake 1989 – 2007 Catchable & Fing. 1,443 Clearwater Region Fly Lake 2006 Catchable 41 Heather Lake 2006 Catchable 106 Ice Lake 1998 Catchable 22 Platinum Lake 2006 Catchable 40 Rainbow Lake 99, 00,06 Catchable 264 Running Lake 2006 Catchable 334 Southwest Region Shirts Lake 2007 Catchable 140 Black Lake 2007 Catchable 420 Corral Lake 2007 Catchable 104 Granite Twin Lake #1 2007 Catchable 656 Grassy Mtn. Lake #1 2007 Catchable 206 Grassy Mtn. Lake #2 2007 Catchable 225 U. Hazard Lake 2007 Catchable 632 Salmon Region Carlson Lake 02, 06, 13 Catchable 143 Herd Lake 2013 Catchable 150 Merriam Lake 2007 Catchable 107 Spruce Lake 2007 Catchable 439answered 7/14/2013
Q: Where can I go catfishing around the twin falls area
I moved to twin falls from Caldwell. Well I thought fishing the snake here would be just like home but no.. I have been trying for two months now to find a spot where I can caught some catfish... I hope you can help me with thisA:
Try Milner Reservoir. Idaho Power Company stocks channel catfish in Milner as part of their mitigation for the hydropower project at the dam. You can also catch catfish at Murtaugh and Wilson lakes along with the Snake River through the Twin Falls area. Trying fishing with cut bait at Centennial Park - just below the Perrine Bridge. F08answered 7/13/2013
Q: Question regarding handgun carry while rafting on the main salmon river
Will be coming into Idaho for a white water rafting trip in the near future and was wondering what the laws are regarding carrying while on the main salmon river. The company we are rafting with have mention that it should not be a problem, but would like some confirmation directly from fish and game. No hunting is intended while navigating the river, and I hold a valid concealed handgun permit that is recognized by Idaho. Thank you.A:
You can carry a handgun while rafting.answered 7/13/2013
Q: Is there away around waiting 6 months for hunting and fishing after moving back to Idaho
I just moved back and really want to hunt and fish but can't pay the out if state licenses. So I want to know if there is away around the 6 month wait?A:
The six-month waiting period for Idaho residency is what is required by law. There isn't any way around it.answered 7/12/2013
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Yes, you can and no, there are no restrictions. Any such regulations would be set by the county (Boundary Co.) not IDFG, but nevertheless, there are no restrictions.answered 7/12/2013
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Yes. A big game hunter may use motorized vehicles only on established roadways that are open to motorized traffic and capable of being traveled by full-sized automobiles, unless the hunter falls under one of following exceptions: Holders of a valid disabled person’s motor vehicle hunting permit may use a motorized vehicle as allowed by the land owner or manager. Hunters may use a motorized vehicle to retrieve downed game if such travel is allowed by the land owner or manager. Hunters may use a motorized vehicle to pack camping equipment in or out if such travel is allowed by the land owner or manager, but hunters may not hunt while packing camping equipment. Private landowners on their private land, their authorized agents and persons with written landowner permission are exempt from the motorized hunting rule restrictions.answered 7/11/2013
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When in doubt, stay on the road. Know and follow the vehicle use restrictions for the area you are hunting, have applicable maps, and review tips on the Stay on Trails website at http://stayontrails.com.answered 7/11/2013
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For questions about the status of a road or trail in the area you plan to hunt, please contact the appropriate land management agency. National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps and BLM Travel Maps list road, trail and other allowable uses. Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation’s Statewide Online Map, available at http://www.trails.idaho.gov/, also lists what type of motorized use is allowed on Forest Service and BLM lands statewide, as well as local land management agency contact information.answered 7/11/2013
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No. The rule now applies only to hunting of big game animals, including moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat, in designated units from August 30 through December 31. The rule does not apply to upland game animals or birds in hunts within designated units.answered 7/11/2013
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Only if the use is permissible in the exceptions in the motorized hunting rule. For example, if motorized travel is allowed by the USFS or BLM, you may use a motorized vehicle to retrieve downed game or pack in or out your camping equipment. However, you may not hunt while packing camping equipment. It’s important that you know what specific type of motorized use is allowed for the area you are hunting. Hunt Units with Motorized Hunting Rule: 29, 30, 30A, 32, 32A, 36A, 37, 37A, 45, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 52A, 53, 56, 58, 59, 59A, 66, 66A, 69, 70, 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, & 78.answered 7/11/2013
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No. Big game hunters can use motorized vehicles, but only on established roadways which are open to motorized traffic and capable of being traveled by full-sized automobiles. Successful hunters may use motorized vehicles to retrieve game on public lands where legally allowed by land management agencies. This rule only applies in designated units from August 30 through December 31. Other outdoor recreational activities such as camping, sight-seeing, and berry-picking are not affected.answered 7/11/2013
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A hunter is any person engaged in the activity of chasing, driving, flushing, attracting, pursuing, worrying, following after or on the trail of, shooting at, stalking, or lying in wait for, any wildlife whether or not such wildlife is then or subsequently captured, killed, taken or wounded.answered 7/11/2013
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A full-sized automobile is any motorized vehicle with a gross weight in excess of 1,500 pounds.answered 7/11/2013
Q: Is it legal for a junior mentored nonresident hunter to harvest a bear with the use of hounds.
The mentor myself, has a valid hound stamp and hounds and would like to take the young hunter who happens to be a friend's son and let him harvest a bear, or would he still have to be drawn for a nonresident hound stamp? Seems like a waste of a hound stamp seeing how he can only hunt with his mentor anyway.A:
Yes. He must have a hound hunter permit: Hound Hunter Permit When dogs are being used to hunt black bears or mountain lions, the following persons must have a valid hound hunter permit and a black bear or mountain lion tag for the current year in possession: • Anyone who owns pursuit dogs. • Anyone having control of dogs owned by another person. • Anyone who harvests a black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, raccoon, or fox with the use of dogs. Limitation on hound hunter permits for nonresidents: Nonresidents hound hunter permits applications must be received at Fish and Game headquarters office by December 1. Permits for the following year are issued in December. Applications are available on the Fish and Game website. No more than 70 nonresident hound hunter permits will be issued to nonresident hunters who are not licensed outfitters (see exceptions for Middle Fork and Selway zones and application information online at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/licenses/?getPage=143).answered 7/11/2013
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Idaho statute defines a motor vehicle as any water, land or air vehicle propelled by means of steam, petroleum products, electricity or any other mechanical power. This includes pickup trucks, jeeps, SUVs, UTVs, cars, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, motorcycles, snowmobiles or other similar vehicles.answered 7/11/2013
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An established roadway is any road that is established, built, maintained, approved or designated by any governmental entity or private landowner for the purpose of travel by full-sized automobiles. An established roadway shows evidence of repeated use by full-sized automobiles, and may include a traveled way of natural earth with depressed wheel tracks and little or no vegetation the wheel tracks.answered 7/11/2013
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Using a motorized vehicle to travel off established roads to transport hunters to and from hunting spots is considered an “aid to hunting.” The rules do not affect travel on established roads open and capable of travel by full-sized vehicles. If in doubt, stay on the road.answered 7/11/2013
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To improve clarity of the rule and help both hunters and other motorized recreationalists understand where and when the rule applies. Previously, the rule could have applied to hunting big game, upland game animals and upland game birds in specific hunts within designated units. Now, the new rule applies only to all Big Game animals, including moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goats in designated units, and only applies from August 30 through December 31.answered 7/11/2013