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 2176 - 2200 of 3534 questionsA:
Anglers 14 and older must have a fishing license and if they are fishing for steelhead, they must also get a steelhead permit.answered 2/27/2013
Q: Can I have two copies of my hunting license?
Can we get two copies of my sons hunting license? One for my house and one for his dads?A:
It is not illegal to possess two copies of your hunting license. However, when a person gets a “duplicate” copy of their hunting license, the duplicate license invalidates the original license. Idaho Code 36-405(b)3. When a duplicate license has been issued the original license shall become null and void.answered 2/26/2013
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They are posted online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/licenses/controlledHunts/lookupLicense.cfm?tab=SPRG_BT..answered 2/26/2013
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No, it isn't required.
answered 2/24/2013
Q: What Animals can legally be Hunted with an Airgun?
I'm wondering what animals and birds can legally be hunted with an airgun? Also, is there a minimum caliber required? Thanks!A:
Predatory wildlife (raccoon, coyote, jackrabbit, weasel, skunk, and starling) and unprotected wildlife may be legally hunted with an Airgun at any time and in any amount. Cottontail rabbit and Snowshoe hares may be hunted with an Airgun during season (See Upland Game, Furbearer & Turkey Seasons and Rules Brochure for seasons, bag and possession limits). A valid Idaho Hunting or Combination license is required.answered 2/24/2013
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Yes, you are required to have an Idaho hunting license to hunt in Idaho, including hunting jack rabbits. - See more at: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/question/do-i-need-hunting-license-kill-jack-rabbits#sthash.7omtD2wt.dpuf License fees are listed online at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/licenses/fees/.answered 2/22/2013
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Steelhead were released in the Boise River last November.answered 2/22/2013
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The next Free Fishing Day in Idaho is June 8, 2013......answered 2/21/2013
Q: can catfish be taken with a bow?
I can't find where it is listed as a game fish or not in the regulations.A:
Catfish are game fish so you can not use a bow to harvest them. IDAPA 13.01.11.004. Gamefish: Brook, brown, bull, cutthroat, golden, lake, rainbow (including steelhead), splake and Sunapee trout; trout hybrids; Chinook, coho, Atlantic, and kokanee (blueback) salmon; grayling; whitefish; cisco; crappie; perch; bass; catfish; bullhead; sunfish; sturgeon; northern pike; tiger muskie; walleye and sauger; and burbot (ling). Bullfrogs and crayfish are also defined as game fish. IDAPA 13.01.11.201.01 says: 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. F08answered 2/21/2013
Q: Can i keep a live large mouth bass
I was wondering if i could keep a large mouth bass in my 90 gallon aquarium and feed him natural food i would never release him back into the wild.I don't know if my age would make a difference (i am 12) thx -IsaacA:
No. When you catch a fish you must either let it go or kill it. You cannot take it home and keep it in an aquarium. Holding Live Fish (page 53 of the 2013 Fishing Regulations): No permit is required to keep game fish alive that have legally been reduced to possession, in a live well, net or on a stringer while at the body of water from which they were taken. BUT...All fish must be killed or released prior to leaving the water body.answered 2/21/2013
Q: how can I volunteer to help trap and tag animals it the upper valley region?
I am looking to job shadow a Conservation officer and I was able to talk with one. He said they have a volunteer program that allows students to go out into the feild and help them do what they do.A:
Volunteer opprtunities and IDFG staff in charge of volunteering are listed on our website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/volunteer/. Thank you for contacting us.answered 2/20/2013
Q: Wolves circling deer in our field.
I watched 2 wolves circling a deer in our field this morning about 75 yards or less from my front door. I'm a woman and don't hunt, but I do target practice with my husband. Is it legal for me to shoot a wolf to protect my animals, horses, mules, and dog, without a license and tag in Idaho. I would hate to watch as they took down one of our animals and couldn't do anything about it? I live in Idaho. Thank you so much for any answers.A:
Pet and livestock owners are allowed to protect their animals from molesting or attacking wolves, including the shooting of, without the need of a license or tag. Pasted below is the Idaho Statute that provides the rights and limitations for protecting pets and livestock. (c) Control of Depredation of Wolves. Wolves may be disposed of by livestock or domestic animal owners, their employees, agents and animal damage control personnel when the same are molesting or attacking livestock or domestic animals and it shall not be necessary to obtain any permit from the department. Wolves so taken shall be reported to the director within seventy-two (72) hours, with additional reasonable time allowed if access to the site where taken is limited. Wolves so taken shall remain the property of the state. Livestock and domestic animal owners may take all nonlethal steps they deem necessary to protect their property. A permit must be obtained from the director to control wolves not molesting or attacking livestock or domestic animals. Control is also permitted by owners, their employees and agents pursuant to the Idaho department of fish and game harvest rules. For the purposes of this subsection (c), "molesting" shall mean the actions of a wolf that are annoying, disturbing or persecuting, especially with hostile intent or injurious effect, or chasing, driving, flushing, worrying, following after or on the trail of, or stalking or lying in wait for, livestock or domestic animals.answered 2/19/2013
Q: If Grizzly Bears come off Federal Protection in 2014 is Idaho going to have a hunting season?
The reason I ask is in a recent magazine of Outdoor Life, march 2013 issue. They talk about the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem in Montana, which areas are Glacier park and Bob Marshal area. Where they had a average annual growth of 3% from 2004-2011 in Griz Population. Now that Montana has been successful bring the population up. They talked about the Grizzly bear being expected to be removed from federal protection in 2014 and Montana was talking about a hunting season. So I wonder about Idaho? What zones might have a hunting season? What is Idaho Griz Population? If so, How long has Idaho study Griz Population?A:
It is too early to speculate on anything like that.answered 2/17/2013
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If this question is regarding roadkill salvage, you may harvest the animal and then report it within 24 hours. You do not need to obtain a permit first.answered 2/17/2013
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Spotlighting permits are only available from Fish and Game offices. Check with your local IDFG office to see if they are issuing permits. There are no special requirements for the spotlights except that you cannot use headlights.answered 2/15/2013
Q: 13 year old fishing
Does my 13 yr old daughter need a fishing license and permit for steelhead fishing.A:
She can fish for steelhead without a license or permit, but her catch will have to go on the permit of an adult fishing with her. If she wants to keep her catch, she can get a permit to do so.answered 2/14/2013
Q: When is the Farragut Shooting Range going to open?
Will there be a charge or any restrictions to use it? Do you have to have a hunting license to use it?A:
Thank you for your interest in the reopening of the Farragut Public Shooting Range. In November 2012 the Idaho Supreme Court reversed a lower District Court ruling and partially lifted the injunction closing the range. Before we can reopen the Range there are some legal housekeeping matters that remain to be resolved. Consequently, I can not provide a firm date for reopening at this time but we expect to open in early to mid summer. Cost to use the range is $5 per person per day. In addition to that charge you will need to either be in possession of an annual Idaho State Parks pass or pay the Park daily use fee. We are in the process of completing a new access road to the range. In the future and perhaps even before the end of the 2013 shooting season, range users will have direct access to the range without having to travel through the Park and pay the Park entrance fee if the Range is the only facility they want to use.answered 2/13/2013
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No. It hasn't been set yet (as of April, 2013) because we are waiting to get counts of salmon.answered 2/11/2013
Q: When do rockchucks and ground squirrels have dependent young?
I am asking this question to avoid hunting during the period when these rodents have dependent young. Thank you.A:
Reproductive timing is variable according to species and also varies by region and elevation. Most species breed soon after emerging from hibernation. Populations occurring at low-elevation may give birth as early as March and have dependent young through May. At higher elevation, breeding may not begin until May or June, and young may be dependent on mothers through the summer months. Also, please note that some ground squirrels are protected, and shooting in some areas may be prohibited. Please contact the IDFG regional office where to plan to hunt for more detailed information.answered 2/11/2013
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We keep big fish records (as determined by weight) for fish that are commonly caught by anglers in Idaho. We have added species to the list over the years based on expanding populations or increasing angler interest. If you catch a blue catfish, fill out the record fish form on our website and submit the information. We can't guarantee it will be added to the list, but we will consider it for listing.answered 2/7/2013
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Yes, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and it's many conservation partners have several programs that can help landowners develop wildlife habitat. The Department Habitat Improvement Program (HIP) is a cost-share program in which Department staff work with private landowners develop a habitat restoration plan and then if appropriate provide cost-share. This program focuses on helping landowners to plant grass/forb nesting cover, plant trees and shrubs where ecologically appropriate and restore or enhance wetland and stream bank areas. For more information contact your regional IDFG office and ask for the habitat biologist assigned to the district your land is within. The Department also has several "private lands/Farm bill" biologists around the state. These folks are experts in working with federal farm bill programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) and are a good resource for landowners to talk with. In addition to the Department some other conservation organizations have programs that help landowners develop habitat: Ducks Unlimited and local Pheasants Forever chapters are just two of the many in the state.answered 2/7/2013
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Yes, Fish and Game volunteer coordinators around the state set up activities that include tree planting, shrub planting, seed collection and other activities that are habitat building. Activities are listed on the Volunteer Calendar at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/calendars/?action=year&calid=16 or you can check with the Region office in your area for information about upcoming events. Volunteer information is also online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/volunteer/.answered 2/7/2013
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You would be required to have an Idaho hunting license. Some ground squirrels are protected. Please contact the IDFG Region office in your area to see if any are protected there. For example: Paiute ground squirrels in the southwestern part of the state are legal to hunt. As long as you stay south of the Payette River and north of the Snake River you will not run into any protected ground squirrels.answered 2/6/2013
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Obtaining a New Hunter Education Card from Idaho Fish and Game You can now look up your Idaho Hunter Education (or Bowhunter Education number) and print out the information from our Website at: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/hed/public/duplicateprintcards.aspx. If you need the information for a concealed weapon permit, some counties may not accept the printout from our website. Check with them to see if they will accept the card information that you print out at home. If they won’t accept it, call IDFG at 208-287-2872 for a new card.answered 2/6/2013
Q: Is a hound license required for hunting rabbits with a dog?
Jack or CottontailA:
No. According to Idaho Administrative Code: Dogs may be used to hunt or pursue : 01. Upland Game Animals, Upland Game Birds, and Migratory Game Birds. To train on or hunt upland game animals, game birds, and migratory game birds. Cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hares are considered upland game animals. A hound hunter permit is only required for the following: 01. Use of Hound Hunter Permits. a. The following persons must have a valid Hound Hunter Permit in possession when dogs are being used to hunt or pursue black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, fox, and raccoon: i. Anyone who owns pursuit dogs. ii. Anyone having control of dogs owned by another person.answered 2/5/2013