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 2226 - 2250 of 3534 questionsA:
Due to Idaho privacy laws we do not post license numbers on our website. Contact the IDFG Wildlife Department for help getting your report filled out. Their number is 208-334-2920.answered 1/20/2013
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Children can fish without a license until they are 14. Hunting is more complex. If they haven’t had hunter education yet, they can get a hunting passport (detailed information is on our website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/licenses/?getPage=332.). Idaho’s Hunting Passport is a component of Fish and Game’s mentored hunting program. The Hunting Passport allows any first-time hunter, resident or nonresident, age 8 and older to try hunting for one year with an adult mentor without first having to complete an Idaho hunter education course. Hunting Passport Highlights: Hunting Passports are only available to first time hunters. Those that have previously held a hunting license in any state are not eligible. Hunter Education certification is not needed to obtain a Hunting Passport. If an individual has completed a Hunter Education course but has not yet purchased a license, they are eligible for a Hunting Passport. The minimum age to hold a Hunting Passport is eight years of age; there is no maximum age. The Hunting Passport is a calendar year item just like a hunting license and expires on December 31 of the year in which it was obtained. Only one Passport can be purchased in a lifetime. To continue hunting after the Passport expires, completion of a hunter education course and license purchase is required. Hunting Passports are available at license vendors and Fish and Game regional offices. Cost is $1.75. Must be 12 years of age to hunt big game; 10 years of age to hunt turkey and sandhill crane; 8 years of age to hunt other game birds, upland game animals, furbearers, predatory or unprotected species. If they have taken hunter’s education classes, they must get a license to from age 10. They cannot hunt big game until they turn 12.answered 1/19/2013
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Rabbits: Cottontail Rabbit & Snowshoe Hare Seasons 3/1/12-8/31/12 Either-sex Mountain Cottontail Rabbit Falconry Idaho Statewide 4/1/12-8/31/12 Either-sex Snowshoe Hare Falconry Idaho Statewide 8/30/12-2/28/13 Either-sex Mountain Cottontail Rabbit Short-Range Idaho Statewide 8/30/12-3/31/13 Either-sex Snowshoe Hare Short-Range Idaho Statewide Cottontail Rabbit & Snowshoe Hare Limits: Daily bag limits are 8 and the possession limit is 24. Jackrabbit Can be hunted all year and any amount may be harvested 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.answered 1/19/2013
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He needs to contact the IDFG Region office for that unit (208-634-8137). They can go over the requirements for landowner tags and get him signed up if he qualifies.answered 1/17/2013
Q: Where can I find historic license fees (resident combo and resident fishing)?
I am looking for the price of a resident combo and fishing license for the last 10 years, where can I find this information?A:
Contact IDFG Headquarters (208-334-3700). They can put you in touch with the License Department; they have those records.answered 1/16/2013
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We haven't scheduled one yet, but if weather and ice conditions are conducive, we'll try to hold one in mid-February. All we can say at this point is stay tuned. We'll certainly get a press release out and advertise the event if/when we do it. It will likely be at Hauser again. Though the fishing can be a bit more challenging, the location and availability of access and parking makes it the best place in the immediate area.answered 1/16/2013
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In recent years about on third (33%) of the harvestin the Upper Salmon in section 19 (East Fork to Sawtooth Hatchery) occurs in March and about two thirds (66%) occurs in April.answered 1/14/2013
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Although not as numerous as in the more remote areas in the Clearwater Region, wolves have been observed in parts of Latah County as well. Most opportunities for observing or harvesting wolves can be found as one moves to the north and east away from private property and onto land managed by the USFS and Idaho Department of Lands, as well as onto corporate timberlands. Reports of wolves are not common from the Juliaetta area, but are relatively more frequent towards the areas north of Bovill and north and east towards Elk River. So far this wolf hunting season (30 August - 31 March), 3 wolves have been harvested from these areas in Unit 8A.answered 1/13/2013
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There is no minimum age to start trapping species classified as furbearers, or predatory and unprotected. Trapping can be a highly rewarding mentoring experience for older trappers to teach youngsters. There are also Trapping Education Courses that are offered when there is enough demand. This is a voluntary course and not required but a great way to start a youngster. You do need to be old enough to buy a wolf trapping tag (age 12) to start trapping wolves.answered 1/12/2013
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Please report it to the IDFG Region office for your area. The offices are listed on our website. They can advise you.answered 1/12/2013
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Yes. There is no state or federal law or rule that prevents a hunter from taking waterfowl with a bow.answered 1/12/2013
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Great question and the answer is that most public lands are open to hunting. The trick is that it might be hard to locate a single map that shows all levels of public land at the state and federal levels. The BLM has maps available that show land ownership beyond their own lands, including state school sections and other federal lands like the national forests. Our website is a good place to start: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/?getPage=250answered 1/12/2013
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A nonresident can use this license to hunt predatory and unprotected animals only (see list below). The cost is $35.50 and the license is valid through the end of August only. It cannot be used to apply for a controlled hunt. 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.answered 1/11/2013
Q: I am taking a set of horns from a buck I killed in 2006 to a taxidermist to mount to a the cape of a buck I killed this year, but I can't find the tag from 2006. Is there any way to get proof that I purchased the tag in 2006 to give to the taxidermist?
I am a non-resident hunter that was successful for deer in 2006 and took a nice buck, but the cape wasn't taken care of well enough to mount, so this year I took another mature buck in my home state and would like to use that cape to mount to the buck from 2006. My taxidermist would like to see some paperwork showing the a tag in my name for the buck taken in the 2006 season but unfortunately I can't find the tag any where. I was wondering if you keep any record of previous years tag purchases that can be made available for me to provide to my taxidermist?A:
Contact the IDFG License Department for information. The number is 208-334-3700.answered 1/11/2013
Q: Has the private hunting area at Ted Trueblood WMA been expanded this year?
I have found that an area of Ted Trueblood WMA that I have pheasant hunted every year is now marked off as private land. In the past I have known that an area between the back pond and the front pond by grandview was marked with orange markers. Have they purchased more land this year and closed out hunting except around the back pond? Could it be illegally marked to block hunting for those using that WMA?A:
The amount of private land within Ted Trueblood WMA has not changed. There is still a 40 acre square of private property in the middle that is well marked as private/No Trespassing and contains an old house site in the trees on the bench and a private hunting pond on the lower bench between the three WMA ponds. The change has been the locked gate between the Snake River bridge on ID 167 and the City of Grand View sewage lagoon that has always been on private land. The owners have chosen to lock their gate to the public to limit trespass. This road goes through their private property, through the City property on a private easement, and as a private easement through the WMA to the South edge of the private pond. The land owners also have an easement across the WMA on the upper bench from ID 167 to the North - East corner of their property through a chain link gate at the highway. This does not limit walk-in access from ID 167 parking lot or from the Trueblood Lane side around the 40 acres of private land including the land between the private pond and the Snake River, but does not allow you to trespass on the marked private land or City sewage pond. Also be aware that most of Ted Trueblood WMA and parts of CJ Strike WMA has a nesting closure beginning February 1 through July. Please call the CJ Strike WMA office at 845-2324 and leave a message if you find signs where you don't think they should be or have other questions about the Ted Trueblood WMA or CJ Strike WMA.answered 1/10/2013
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You are very observant. The answer to your question has to do with differences in behavioral characteristics between deer and antelope. Deer are "jumpers" and when they encounter a fence, adult deer will jump over the fence and attempt to cross the interstate to continue their journey/migration on the other side. Numbers of deer trying to cross the interstate will vary depending on the severity of the winter. "Hot-spots" for deer being hit on I-84 are between the east and west Twin Falls exits and the Tuttle to Hammet area. In both locations, the interstate borders historic mule deer wintering areas. Antelope are "runners" and the only way for them to cross the interstate is for them to crawl under the fence or find an opening in the fence. Net-wire on the lower 3' of the interstate fences prevent antelope from going under the fence and they are unable to jump over the fence; so most antelope are content remaining on the north side of the interstate. There is a small population of antelope that have found gaps in the interstate fence system underneath the bridge that crosses the Snake River at King Hill. You will see these animals range all the way to Bliss in the winter. Fortunately, they have the memory capability to return to the fence gap in the spring to venture back to the north side of the interstate through the same openings.answered 1/10/2013
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Expandable broadheads were first made illegal for big game hunting in Idaho during the early 1990s. At that time there was broad public opposition to their use and concern about the "failure rate" of some of the early models. In 2006, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission evaluated all archery and muzzleloader equipment restrictions. While adopting some changes, including allowing the use of higher let-off bows, they chose to not remove the restriction on use of expandable broadheads. The Commission strives to balance reasonable equipment restrictions with ensuring biological management objectives are being met. Public comment received over the past few years, and discussions with organized sportsman groups,suggest the archery hunting public is still divided over whether to allow the use of various technological advancements in primitive weapon hunts.answered 1/9/2013
Q: What hunt could I use my .44 mag revolver (short range?)
what are the rules for a hunting with a handgun during short range hunt or when can you use a handgun .44 mag ruger superblack hawk 7.5" barrelA:
In addition to hunting forest grouse, unprotected nongame, and predatory wildlife (e.g. coyote) you can hunt big game species during any weapon and short-range weapon hunts.answered 1/9/2013
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No, all raptors are protected.answered 1/8/2013
Q: Would it be possible to encourage people to target shoot somewhere other than at Spring Valley Reservoir?
I went skiing at Spring Valley this weekend and people were target shooting again near the reservoir. There were also many people ice fishing and walking and trying to enjoy the peace and solitude of this recreation area. We did not see a single bird or other animal during our ski which I attribute to the shooting disturbance. I feel it is inappropriate to have shooting in this area since this is such a popular area for outdoor enthusiasts. I certainly would hesitate to bring my children to play with the firing range so close by. It seems to me there are a zillion other places on state land nearby to shoot a gun without disturbing so many others who are trying to enjoy an outdoor experience. Could fish and game help find a suitable quarry nearby for these individuals could shoot? I used to ski down the road where they are shooting now and around the hills above, but this is not possible now. Thanks for your consideration of this matter.A:
Thank you for the email. I believe the location you are referring to is owned by Bennett Timber Company. Unfortunately, there are not any public shooting ranges in Latah County so folks wanting to shoot are left to find random locations. We have posted safety zone signs to keep people from shooting toward the reservoir for obvious safety reasons. We have also worked with Bennett to address that specific issue and location. I would encourage you to contact Bennett and share your concerns with them as well.answered 1/7/2013
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Go on our website to report the road kill. The link is https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/observations/salvage/.answered 1/6/2013
Q: If I buy my YOUTH Hunting/Fishing License and Tags in the spring at age 17, will they be valid for hunting/fishing after my 18th birthday.
I am seventeen years old planning my 2013 hunting / fishing season I want to buy my license and tags now in January but I can't find a defining answer in the regulations if my Youth Hunting License and Tags will be valid after my May birthday. Can,t afford to buy both. Thank YouA:
Your purchase of youth hunting/fishing licenses and tags will be valid through the end of the year, even after you turn 18.answered 1/6/2013
Q: May I raise Cottontail Rabbits and/or Pheasants to be released into the wild?
I would like to raise Cottontail Rabbits and/or Pheasants to be released into designated areas by the Fish and Game Dept. of Idaho. Is this possible?A:
According to state statute, cottontail rabbits may not be propagated and released into the wild. In order to raise and release pheasants, the sources stock needs to be National Poultry Improvement Program (NPIP) certified. To release captive-reared pheasants, an indivdual must possess a Wildlife Release Permit, which can be applied for at your local IDFG Regional Office from the Regional Wildlife Manager.answered 1/5/2013
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It states in the Big Game Rules: During a muzzleloader-only season, it is illegal to pursue or kill a big game animal with any firearm, muzzleloading pistol, or weapon other than a muzzleloading rifle or musket. A crossbow isn't considered a "lesser weapon" according to Fish and Game rules.answered 1/5/2013
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The nongame gun license is valid from date of purchase through August and costs $35.50.answered 1/5/2013