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 2276 - 2300 of 3534 questionsA:
Idaho Fish and Game does not have a code or rule that specifically defines the distance you are required to be away from the road before discharging a firearm. However, Idaho Code 36-1508 (copied and pasted below) just explains that you cannot shoot from or across a public highway. If you are off the traveled portion of the road and you are not shooting across the road you are fine. TITLE 36 FISH AND GAME CHAPTER 15 PUBLIC SAFETY 36-1508.Shooting from public highway. No person shall: (a) Shoot from Public Highway. Discharge any firearm from or across a public highway.answered 12/22/2012
A:
Fish and Game rules prohibit the use a firearm "with any electronic device attached to, or incorporated on, the firearm or scope; except scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles are allowed." Therefore, laser rangefinding rifle scopes attached to a rifle would be illegal to use for big game hunting. A hand-held laser rangefinder is legal to use during big game hunting.answered 12/22/2012
A:
He must take hunter education before he can actually hunt, but he can still accompany you in the field.answered 12/22/2012
Q: Can I get another Hunter's safety card if I lost mine years ago?
I took hunter's safety when I was 13, and I lost my card about 5 years later. I'm 34 now, so I'm wondering if I'm still in the system after 21 years, and if I'm able to obtain a new card?A:
Yes, Fish and Game can help you obtain a new card. Our Hunter Education records go back to 1978. Contact Headquarters (208-334-3700) or one of our Fish and Game offices. They can look up your hunter education number and send you a new card if your information is still on file.answered 12/21/2012
Q: I saw a sign that reads: entering land managed by Idaho Fish and Game
On Clear Lakes Ln in Buhl just west of of 1500 there is an access rd with a chain and sign that reads entering land managed by Idaho Fish and Game. I believe this rd leads to an old abandoned shack that you can see coming down the Clear Lakes grade. My son and I would like to go metal detect around that old shack but don't want to do anything illegal. Is that something we are allowed to do. The sign did not say anything about keeping out or no trespassing.A:
The area that you describe is part of the Niagara Springs WMA and you are free to access it. However, removing any object of archaeological, geological, or historical value or interest is prohibited on lands owned or controlled by the Department of Fish and Game.answered 12/21/2012
Q: I was wondering if there was a way to make stricter rules on becoming a resident of idaho or staying a resident of idaho.
I know of 3 peole that have lived in Utah for the past 10 years. They buy their idaho drivers licences, and register their vehicles in idaho. Also they get mail sent to idaho and one of them ownes a house in idaho. Every year they come to Idaho and hunt as a resident, but live and work full time in Utah. Do you guys realize how many people do this. You guys lose a lot of money because your rules to be a resident are not that strict. They all put in for the draw huntsas a resident too. One of them has drawn a antelope tag,a deer tag, and a elk tag. This is not fair to resident hunters who actually live in idaho or to the fish and game of idaho. They are lieing to the goverment of Idaho and Utah. Ichose to live in Idaho and make less money, so that i can hunt here, but there are lots of people that are not honest that can go make a bunch for money in another state and still hunt Idaho as a resident. Say thes people have been coming to idaho for the last 10 years if they buy a deer and elk tag,and also go fishing at a resident cost when they should be paying non resident cost thats alot of money that could help out the fish and game in idaho. The totall for these tags and licence fees comes to $958.50 a year times 3 people times ten years comes to $28,755.00. That is alot of money that fish and game is losing out on. this is 3 people that I know of for sure that are doing it. Just think of all the people that are getting away with this. Its not right and its not fair. Thats alot of money that can go towards managing the game and fish in idaho. You guys are letting lots of dishonest people get away with this. Its to easy to get away with and its not right.A:
Idaho Code 202(s) defines residency for the purposes of purchasing resident hunting and fishing license. In part the code states that a person must be domiciled in Idaho with the bona fide intent to make Idaho their permanent abode. Simple ownership of property in Idaho does not constitute residency. There are some checks and balances in place that allow us to help prevent and deter those who are not bona fide residents. However, if you are aware of nonresidents who are abusing the system to purchase resident hunting and fishing licenses you can remain anonymous and either call your local Conservation Officer or the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at 1-800-632-5999. In either case, by providing as much information as you can, you will help us in our investigation. Those who are not bona fide residents, living in another state, who purchase resident licenses defraud Idaho sportsman and hurt our ability to better manage our wildlife resource.answered 12/21/2012
A:
There are several nonresident license options: If you are also hunting big game, you can get a combination hunting/fishing license for $240.00 or a hunting license for $154.75. If you are only going to hunt turkeys and other small game, you can get a small game hunting license for $97.75. If you only plan to hunt small game for 3 days, you can purchase a 3-day small game license for $35.50. In all these cases, you must purchase a turkey tag in addition to the hunting license...turkey tags are $80.00. If you want two turkey tags, the extra turkey tag is also $80.00answered 12/21/2012
A:
It is unclear which Clean Shot broadheads you are referring to. However, if it is the series of broadheads that have a laser built into them, they are illegal for big game hunting in Idaho. They could be used to hunt predatory wildlife, unprotected wildlife, upland game, and small game that take by archery equipment is allowed.answered 12/19/2012
Q: Why isn't an unsuccessful applicant for controlled hunts given an advantage in future drawings?
We rarely if ever get drawn for controlled hunts i.e. elk deer pronghorn etc. Seems like a waste of time. Why not some type of points system as in other states?A:
The Commission did consider bonus points in July, 2010, but decided to maintain the random drawing process that is in place today. One of the key issues discussed was that in order to improve drawing odds for one, you need to decrease drawing odds for another. This places stronger odds against young or first time hunters in drawing controlled hunt tags and the Commission is sensitive to recruiting more hunters. I think it is fair to say that the Commission will return to this question again but it is not presently a proposal under consideration.answered 12/19/2012
A:
We encourage hunters in both Hunter Education and Bowhunter Education to take ethical shots within their effective range, regardless of type of weapon they use. Hopefully, hunters also encourage ethical behavior among themselves and discourage their friends and family members from taking risky shots. Given the wide variety of weapon types, personal behaviors, individual ethics, and variability in hunting conditions; it would be extremely challenging to develop a standardized proficiency test that met the needs of all hunters. Wounding loss occurs from all weapon types; fortunately not all wounds are lethal and animals can recover.answered 12/19/2012
A:
Your odds will not be any different than any other application. Each application is given a unique number whether it is a group application or an application with one hunter that is entered into the draw system.answered 12/19/2012
A:
The superhunt is a drawing for 34 tags that helps to fund Access Yes! -- the proceeds go toward compensating willing landowners for hunter and angler access to or across private land. Participants purchase chances at drawing a superhunt tag for deer, elk, moose or pronghorn tags. These tags can be used anywhere statewide in general seasons or in controlled hunts. We also offer superhunt combos; if you purchase one of these and you are drawn, you get 4 tags--one each for deer, elk, moose and pronghorn hunts. Superhunt ticket prices are $6 for the first ticket of each species and $4 for each additional ticket for that species purchased during the same transaction. For superhunt combo tickets, the first one is $20 and each additional ticket purchased during the same transaction is $16. Drawings will be in June and August.answered 12/18/2012
A:
When a hunter puts in for a moose tag or another trophy species ( Mountain Goat or Bighorn Sheep), it does not prevent them from then getting a general elk or deer tag. All the general tags are still available for you to purchase, even after you've applied for a trophy species. The only limitation that happens when applying for a trophy species tag is that you are not allowed to apply for the deer, elk or antelope controlled permits in the same year (except for unlimited controlled hunts). The reason that we do not allow hunters to apply for both trophy species and controlled big game hunts in the same year is to help increase everyone's odds of drawing from either group of controlled tags. Despite the fact that not everyone can draw those very sought after trophy tags, Idaho does have some of the best drawing odds for trophy species in the West. You can still purchase general tags for deer and elk, or leftover tags in any of the drawings.answered 12/18/2012
A:
Yes. Trapper education now mandatory for new trappers, as of July 2018.
Every trapper who purchased their first trapping license after June 30, 2011 will be required to attend and pass a mandatory trapper education course before they can purchase an Idaho trapping license starting in 2018.
Trappers who have successfully passed and are certified through the Idaho voluntary trapper education course are exempt, but new trappers will be required to take the course. People who have taken only a wolf trapping education course are not exempt and must take the Idaho trapper education course. Information about trapper education courses can be found on hunter/bowhunter/trapper education webpage.
answered 12/17/2012
A:
Idaho Fish and Game doesn't encourage the public to feed big game. Each region has a committee that considers whether winter (snowfall) conditions warrant Fish and Game feeding animals. If you feel that big game is struggling and needs to be fed, please contact the Fish and Game Region office in your area with that information.answered 12/17/2012
Q: Are all owl species protected in Idaho?
Some type of owl has made several attempts to catch our very small dog when let out after dark. Any suggestions as to how best to deter these predators will be appreciated.A:
All owl species are protected in Idaho.answered 12/16/2012
A:
Yes, you can.answered 12/16/2012
Q: Is it legal to hunt with a cross bow?
I would like to find out if it is legal first of all and then two if it is, what are the regulations for the hunt?A:
You can hunt with a crossbow during an any-weapon season but not during an archery-only season unless you qualify for and have a handicapped archery permit. That permit is posted on our website in the "Licenses" section under forms.answered 12/14/2012
A:
Which species and where are you planning to hunt?answered 12/14/2012
Q: Thought I read in the regs that you can take a goose with the weapons you can take a turkey with.
Cannot find it but I thought that I read in the regulations that you can take a goose with any weapon it is leagal for a turkey. Meaning with a bow. Is that right?A:
The actual federal regulations state the following: It is against the law to take migratory game birds: • With a trap, snare, net, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than a 10 gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machine gun, fishhook, poison, drug, explosive, or stupefying substance. • With any shotgun capable of holding more than three shells unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler which is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun.answered 12/14/2012
Q: Can frozen herring be used as cut bait or like a minnow? Can white fish be used as cut bait or like a minnow?
Thanks in advance for your information and answers.A:
You can use frozen, thawed, or shreded and bagged herring for bait in Idaho - in waters where bait fishing is allowed. Whitefish are a game fish, so using the edible portion for bait could be construed by some as "waste of a game fish." It is certainly legal to use the entrails, head, and tail area as cut bait.answered 12/11/2012
A:
As long as you are fishing for steelhead, even if you are fishing catch-and-release only, the steelhead permit is required.answered 12/11/2012
A:
It depends on the season--during an archery-only season you cannot use a crossbow unless you have a "disabled archery permit" (applications available from any Fish and Game office). During an any-weapon season you can use a crossbow to hunt.answered 12/10/2012
A:
Please contact the Outfitter's and Guide's Licensing Board for information. Their website and contact information is online at oglb.idaho.gov.answered 12/10/2012
A:
This is under the Outfitter's and Guide's Licensing Board's jurisdiction, not IDFG. You can contact them at oglb.idaho.govanswered 12/10/2012