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 1901 - 1925 of 3534 questionsA:
It is legal to use felt bottom soled footwear in Idaho waters.answered 6/17/2013
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Mussels are filter feeders and they will taste similar to the substrate and quality of water in which they reside. They also will bioaccumulate heavy metals and other contaminants to a certain degree. There isn't any time of year that they are more safe to eat than at other times.answered 6/17/2013
Q: Can I hunt without a license on private property for coyotes?
I just moved back to Idaho and want to go hunting coyotes with my friends, we work on a ranch and I want to know if I can hunt without buying a license??? Because coyotes are not a game animal and it's on privet land?A:
You must have a hunting license to hunt in Idaho even on private property. If you are not an Idaho resident yet you can get a nongame license that will allow you to hunt coyotes.answered 6/16/2013
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If the child is a resident the adult doesn't have to have a fishing license. Nonresident children must fish with someone who has a license.answered 6/16/2013
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No, it isn't legal to use mechanical or expanding broadheads for the taking of big game.answered 6/16/2013
Q: When does Idaho draw for deer elk and antelope?
When do the draw results come out for deer and elk?A:
The results will be posted close to July 10.answered 6/16/2013
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You cannot make reservations ahead of time. You register when you arrive at the campground. If you have more questions, contact the Southwest Region office at 465-8465.answered 6/16/2013
Q: Bringing boat to Idaho from Oregon to fish
We are visiting friends next week in McCall, and I would like to bring my boat to fish some lakes in the area. Are there special regulations I need to address or be aware of. The boat is registered in Oregon, but no trailer tag is required since the boat is not 18' in length.A:
Contact Idaho Parks and Recreation at 1-208-334-4199 for information about obtaining an Invasive Species sticker to use the boat in Idaho waters.answered 6/15/2013
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The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Wednesday, June 12, adopted a Chinook salmon fishing season on the South Fork Salmon River to open Friday, July 5. Fishing will be open only Fridays, Saturday and Sundays until further notice. Managers anticipate a shorter fishery on the South Fork because fewer fish are returning to Idaho than in recent years. The South Fork will be open from the bridge on Forest Service Road 48 (Lick Creek/ East Fork South Fork Road) where it crosses the South Fork Salmon River main stem just upstream of the confluence with the East Fork South Fork Salmon River, upstream about 35 river miles to a posted boundary about 100 yards downstream from the Idaho Fish and Game South Fork Salmon River weir and trap. Fishing hours will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. The daily bag limit will be four Chinook salmon, only two of which may be adults; the possession limit is 12 Chinook salmon, only six of which may be adults. Adult Chinook salmon are 24 or more inches in length, and jacks are less than 24 inches in length. Only adipose-fin-clipped salmon may be kept. The season-statewide limit is 10 adult Chinook salmon during salmon seasons occurring before September 1, 2013. Please consult Fish and Game Salmon Hotline at 1-855-287-2702 for Chinook fishing season updates or go online to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=110.answered 6/15/2013
Q: Can you archery hunt with the hunting passport?
I have my archery tag but my wife does not she has never held a hunting licence but has taken the online portion of the hunters ed course. can she bow hunt with the hunting passport?A:
No; archery hunting requires a class or experience. If a person has archery experience, they have hunted before and they don't qualify for the hunting passport.answered 6/15/2013
Q: Do you do ride alongs like the police department
I was wondering if you do ride alongs like the police department because I would like to pursue a career as a wild life biologist and I am interested in a career as a officer. If you do apprenticeships with your biologists or your law enforcement officers I would love to know about it.A:
Contact the IDFG region office in your area for information. 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 6/14/2013
Q: Crawdad trap removal fines.
If someone where to remove/destroy my crawdad trap(s), how large of a fine/citation would they face if caught? Thanks Again!A:
Not removing or checking crayfish traps is a misdemeanor in Idaho. Fine will probably be around $100. F08answered 6/14/2013
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The most current Chinook salmon season information is posted on our website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=110. Please check this information for the answer for your question about what is open or call the Salmon Hotline (Toll Free): 1-855-287-2702 for information.answered 6/14/2013
Q: is it legal to shoot a bow in my back yard?
i live near city limits, i don't know if i am just outside city limits or just inside. and i want to practice my archery all year round without having to pay for indoor shooting range or having to drive who knows where just to be able to practice. i want to know if its legal to practice in my back yard and if it is what precations do i need to take.A:
Please contact the city to find out whether you are in the city limits or not. And you should check with the county also to see if they have any prohibitions against it.answered 6/13/2013
Q: Fishing on Fathers Day need help finding a good spot to fish.
We live in the Boise area (willing to go as far as Caldwell or Swan Falls etc...) and would like to know if you have any tips on where to go fishing for trout and bass? I am going to take my family fishing on Fathers Day so please give me a few specific locations that are "good fishing" right now if possible?A:
Call the Southwest Region office to see if they have recommendations for you. Their number is 465-8465.answered 6/13/2013
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The application period for deer, elk, pronghorn, fall bear and turkey hunts was May 1-June 5.answered 6/13/2013
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The most current Chinook salmon season information is posted on our website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=110. Please check this information for the answer for your question about what is open or call the Salmon Hotline (Toll Free): 1-855-287-2702 for information.answered 6/12/2013
Q: Crawdad Regulations
I would like someone to clarify for me the exact regulations on fishing for crawdad/crayfish in Idaho. My understanding is that you only need a regular fishing licence unless you have over five(5) traps. And that if you have over five traps then you need some type of commercial licence. Also to my understanding, there is no number limit or size restrictions on crawdad in Idaho. Is all that I have said correct and are there any other regulations? Also, how much does one of those commercial licences cost? Thanks!A:
Trapping or Seining Minnows and Crayfish Nongame fish (minnows), yellow perch, and crayfish may be taken only in waters open to fishing; provided the seine or net does not exceed ten (10) feet in length or width, and nets and seines must have three-eighths (3/8) inch square or smaller mesh; and the minnow or crayfish trap does not exceed two (2) feet in length, width or height. If the trap is of irregular dimension, but its volume does not exceed the volume of an eight (8) cubic foot trap, it is also legal to use. Nets and seines may not be left unattended. Traps must be checked at least every forty-eight (48) hours. All traps must have a tag attached bearing the owner’s name and address. All game fish (except yellow perch) and protected nongame fish incidentally taken while trapping or seining must be immediately released alive. All fish so taken must immediately be killed except where stated otherwise. Crayfish may be kept alive to be used as bait only on the water where captured. Nongame fish and crayfish may only be taken during the season set for the taking of game fish in those waters. Only five (5) crayfish traps can be fished with a valid fishing license. If more than five traps are used at one time, you must obtain a Commercial Fishing License and trap tags. A resident Commercial Fishing license is $111.75 and must be obtained from IDFG headquarters or a Region office. It is illegal to destroy, disturb, or remove any traps belonging to others.answered 6/12/2013
Q: Is it legal in Idaho for the owner of mounted big game trophies to sell them?
i.e. husband dies; wife doesn't know what to do with numerous big game trophies hanging in every room in the house.A:
Possession and Sale of Wildlife Parts: Lawfully harvested wildlife parts – except edible meat from game animals – may be purchased, bartered or sold when accompanied by a written statement showing said wildlife was lawfully harvested. If black bear, mountain lion or gray wolf parts – excluding tanned or finished rugs or mounts – are sold or bartered, a signed written statement showing the taker’s name, address, license and tag numbers, date and the location of kill must be provided to the buyer. Buyers must submit completed transaction statements to Idaho Fish and Game within 10 days of sale. Wildlife parts legally harvested outside of Idaho may be possessed and sold in Idaho if such sale is not prohibited in Idaho or the state, province or country where harvested, or by federal law. It is unlawful to possess any wildlife or parts that were killed, taken or obtained unlawfully.answered 6/12/2013
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From your local regional office ask for a "Disable License Verification" form. Once your doctor signs the form signifying that you are disabled, you can take that to your local Fish and Game office to purchase a discounted disabled fishing license. F08answered 6/12/2013
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If you have purchased your 2013 hunting license, you will have to wait until December 1, 2013 to purchase a three year license for 2014 through 2016. Three year licenses expire on December 31 of the third year. For example, A three year hunting license purchased in July of 2013 will expire on December 31, 2015.answered 6/12/2013
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The rules for this are up to the landowner or land manager such as BLM, Forest Service or Idaho Fish and Game. Contact the land management agency for that information.answered 6/11/2013
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The most current Chinook salmon season information is posted on our website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=110. Please check this information for the answer for your question about what is open or call the Salmon Hotline (Toll Free): 1-855-287-2702 for information.answered 6/11/2013
Q: Is there going to be a season on the south fork of the salmon river and when is it going to open.
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The most current Chinook salmon season information is posted on our website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=110. Please check this information for the answer for your question about what is open or call the Salmon Hotline (Toll Free): 1-855-287-2702 for information.answered 6/11/2013
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Superhunts are available to residents and nonresidents.answered 6/11/2013