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 1851 - 1875 of 3534 questionsQ: Is hunting private property allowed without permission if the land is not posted "no hunting" or "no trespassing"?
This question is partially answered in the Idaho Statutes, but my questions goes a little deeper. Idaho Code Section 36-1603 (part of the Fish and Game code) prohibits entry of another person's land to hunt, fish, trap or retrieve game if the land is cultivated or posted (by sign or orange paint), but my question goes a little beyond that. If the property is "cultivated" in the spring and summer, but left fallow in fall and winter (since it is under several feet of snow), does this section still apply? I have never seen posting signs and the property is not fenced.A:
Fish and Game encourages all hunters to “Ask First” before hunting on private property to respect the property rights of others. Our actions as hunters influence landowners' support for wildlife and public access. Idaho Code Section 36-1603 defines "cultivated" as "soil that is being or has been prepared by loosening or breaking up for the raising of crops, or used for the raising of crops, or artificially irrigated pasturage." State agencies and the courts are supposed to interpret laws to give them a sensible construction that reflects legislative intent. In the situation you describe, the soil beneath the snow has been loosened and broken up for the raising of crops, and it makes sense to consider the land "cultivated" under the definition of the recreational trespass law. The definition of "cultivated" does not require that crops be grown on the land year-round, especially when weather conditions make that unreasonable.answered 6/29/2013
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Depends on where you're planning on fishing. In north Idaho, the general bag limit on bass is 6 fish of any size. In the southern and eastern part of the state, the general bag limit is 6 bass with a minimum size of 12." F08answered 6/29/2013
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There is no limit on the number of crayfish you can catch in Lake Coeur d'Alene. With a fishing license you can only "soak" 5 traps. Traps must not be greater than 8 cubic feet in volume or no more than 2' high, wide, or long. F08answered 6/29/2013
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Go to any license vendor and request a "duplicate" license. The cost is $7.50. F08answered 6/29/2013
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Hunting of Predatory & Unprotected Animals Some animals are classified as “predators” or as “unprotected” and can be hunted and taken all year. Animals classified as predators in Idaho include coyotes, raccoons, jackrabbits, skunks, weasels, and starling. The most frequently hunted unprotected animals include marmots, fox squirrels, porcupines and Columbian ground squirrels, English sparrows, Eurasian-collared doves, and feral pigeons. These species may be taken in any amounts and at any time by holders of the appropriate valid Idaho hunting, trapping or combination hunting license, provided such taking is not in violation of state, county, or city laws, ordinances or regulations. There are no special tags needed, but you must have an Idaho hunting license.answered 6/29/2013
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Resident general season tags are on sale now (June 2013)answered 6/28/2013
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— Key Dates for Deer, Elk, Pronghorn and fall Bear Controlled Hunts — 1st controlled hunt application period May 1 - June 5. Successful 1st draw applicants will be notified by July 10. Tags may only be picked up through August 1 (except for unlimited hunts). List of leftover hunts for the second drawing available by August 3. 2nd controlled hunt application period August 5-15. Successful 2nd draw applicants will be notified by August 25. Leftover tags from the 2nd drawing go on sale August 26 at 10 am MST.answered 6/28/2013
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Please check with the public land management agency regarding placing bait on public land. Here is information about baiting a site before the season and then hunting the site later for deer and elk after the bait is removed: Idaho hunting rules prohibit the use of bait, including salt in any form (liquid or solid) in the hunting/taking of deer/elk. Idaho does not have a regulation that allows people to use bait to attract deer and elk to an area and then "pick it up" a certain number of days before hunting in the same area. If there is still residue at the site of bait that was placed to attract deer/elk, Idaho rules prohibit you from hunting over the baited site. If the site is free of the bait, you can hunt over the site. Some other states have rules that allows hunting over sites if bait is removed at least 30 days earlier, but Idaho is NOT one of them.answered 6/27/2013
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Your friend can go with you even if he is not hunting.answered 6/27/2013
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Cold coupled with elevation. Indeed it is cold in the Snake River, but it’s also nearly 1,000 feet lower in elevation (assuming you are referring to the American Falls area, where bass fishing is good). As such, it has a longer growing season than Ririe does. There are also springs that dump in and buffer water temps.answered 6/27/2013
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The Idaho hunting license that you purchase to buy your elk tag also covers hunting forest grouse. You can harvest forest grouse during your elk hunt.answered 6/26/2013
Q: Did I win the June Super Hunt Drawing?
I never got a call but I think I left the wrong number - had just changed phones.A:
Everyone who drew has been notified.answered 6/26/2013
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Not more than 10% of the tags in any hunt can go to nonresident hunters. That said, the draw is random. Here is a simplified version of how the controlled hunt drawing system works: The procedure has been computerized since 1973 and was certified random by Boise State University professors in 1977. Every applicant has the same chance of drawing. Officials verify that applicants meet all of the eligibility requirements to draw a tag. Each application is then assigned a randomly generated number, which is then scrambled and coded before being drawn by the computer system. The computer, located in the state controller's office, selects the successful applicants from the entire application file of eligible applicants. When a group of people enter on the same application, the group is assigned a single application number, and the whole group is entered as one combined entry. In the first round, the system randomly draws from the first choice listed by each hunter. The system then does a second drawing to fill any hunts that still have openings with second choice hunts. When residents and nonresidents enter on the same application, the entire group is treated as nonresidents. Nonresidents are limited to up to 10 percent of the tags available in any individual controlled hunt. When the computer draws an application that includes a nonresident, it checks to see whether a tag is still available for a nonresident. If 10 nonresidents already have drawn tags for a hunt with 100 tags, the computer simply goes to the next application. Hunters can improve their odds by doing a little homework. Using the drawing odds and results from the previous year, found on the Idaho Fish and Game hunt planner at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov, hunters can find hunts with fewer applicants and better odds of drawing. Because it is a random process, one person can sometimes draw two or three times in several years, while another person does not draw at all. That's how a random process works, just like the lottery. It doesn't mean the system is unfair.answered 6/26/2013
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Yes, salt does attract deer. Here is information about using salt to attract big game animals in Idaho for the purpose of baiting animals: Hunting rules vary from state to state. Idaho hunting rules prohibit the use of bait, including salt in any form (liquid or solid) in the hunting/taking of deer/elk. Idaho does not have a regulation that allows people to use salt to attract deer and elk to an area and then "pick it up" a certain number of days before hunting in the same area. If there is still residue at the site of bait (salt) that was placed to attract deer/elk, Idaho rules prohibit you from hunting over the baited site. If the site is free of the bait, you can hunt over the site. Some other states have rules that allows hunting over sites if bait is removed at least 30 days earlier, but Idaho is NOT one of them.answered 6/26/2013
Q: if you drew a deer tag for unit 44 and a friend has an elk tag to unit 44 is it posible to trade?
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No, controlled hunts cannot be traded between friends.answered 6/25/2013
Q: Can I list an unlimited controlled hunt as my second choice during the first drawing period for deer?
Can I list an unlimited controlled hunt as my second choice during the first drawing period for deer and in so doing be guaranteed to draw a controlled hunt tag if not drawn for my first choice?A:
Yes, you can do that. The application period for deer controlled hunts is May 1-June 5.answered 6/25/2013
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Yes. You must have an Idaho fishing license and can only use this type of gear on nongame fish such as carp and suckers. More information: Archery and Spear Fishing: Fishing with a bow and arrow, crossbow, spear or mechanical device, excluding firearms. This type of fishing is permitted only in the taking of bullfrogs and unprotected nongame fish and only in those waters during the season set for the taking of game fish.answered 6/25/2013
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There isn't a special bow-fishing license. All that is needed is a fishing license. More information: Archery and Spear Fishing: Fishing with a bow and arrow, crossbow, spear or mechanical device, excluding firearms. This type of fishing is permitted only in the taking of bullfrogs and unprotected nongame fish and only in those waters during the season set for the taking of game fish.answered 6/25/2013
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No, the opener is still the 5th of July.answered 6/25/2013
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A youth under the age of 14 may fish for salmon without a license and permit BUT in order for them to keep a salmon over 24" in length, it must be recorded on an accompaning adult anglers salmon permit. If a resident youth wants their own bag limit, they can purchase their own salmon permit (no license required).answered 6/25/2013
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Yes, a resident youth may fish for salmon, without a salmon permit, and report the catch of adult salmon over 24" in length on a licensed adult angler's salmon permit. A resident youth under the age of 14 may also buy their own salmon permit and possess their own daily bag limit of salmon.answered 6/25/2013
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Any vendor can issue tags. The list of our vendors is on our website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/licenses/lookupVendors.cfm. Tags can also be purchased online or by phone (1-800-554-8685).answered 6/25/2013
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Walleye were first introduced into Oakley Reservoir in 1989. According to our stocking records these fish were reared and stocked from a New Mexico source. However, the records do not specify any specific hatchery source. These fish were, and still are, stocked as fry.answered 6/25/2013
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Idaho Fish and Game doesn't sell fish (or crayfish). Our hatcheries raise fish to stock in public waters. We can issue a Private Pond permit to a landowner. The landowner can then purchase their own fish to stock their pond. Details are on our website at fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=177answered 6/24/2013
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Fish and Game offices are open from 8-5. Call us if it is between those hours. Call local law enforcement if it is after those hours. Idaho Fish and Game Office Locations and Contact Numbers Panhandle Region…1-208-769-1414 (Coeur d’Alene) Clearwater Region…1-208-799-5010 (Lewiston) Southwest Region…1-208-465-8465 (Nampa) Magic Valley Region…1-208-324-4359 (Jerome) Southeast Region…1-208-232-4703 (Pocatello) Upper Snake Region…1-208-525-7290 (Idaho Falls) Salmon Region…1-208-756-2271 (Salmon)answered 6/24/2013