Frequently Asked Questions

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You are referring to rules that require the use of non-lead shot for waterfowl hunting.  Lead shot was prohibited as per an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who regulate the harvest of migratory birds throughout the U.S..  Studies showed that large amounts of lead shot were being deposited in wetlands from waterfowl hunting activities and much of that lead was being ingested by diving ducks.  Several cases of lead poisoning of waterfowl were documented in wintering waterfowl areas where hunting occurred.  Idaho, like other states now only allow waterfowl hunting with the use of other shot materials including more expensive steel and bismith shot. In Idaho, we have not documented any cases of waterfowl or other wildlife or humans being poisoned by lead sinkers that are lost from fishing activities.  We are, however, aware that this is an issue that has been brought-up in other parts of the country.  Until a problem has been documented in Idaho, we are not incline to require more expensive nonlead sinkers while fishing.  

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SUPER  TAG 13      A drawing will be made for 10 super hunt tags in January 2013. This is an incentive for hunters to promptly file their required Mandatory Hunter Report for deer, elk, and pronghorn purchased in 2012. These highly desirable tags can be used in any open hunt for that species.      Ten hunters will be randomly selected in late January. To be eligible for the drawing, hunters must have filed all of their Mandatory Hunter Reports on each of their 2012 tags for deer, elk, and pronghorn, by January 15, 2013.      The Super Tags can be used for either deer, elk, or pronghorn in 2013 – your choice of species, for any open hunt. The selected hunters will be able to purchase the super tags at the usual price for that species.      Hunters can go to the web site to see if all of their tags are filed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subject: IDFG news releases for 12-03-12 Don’t Forget to Report on Deer, Elk, Pronghorn Tags      Hunters are required to file a report on their deer, elk and pronghorn hunts within 10 days after harvest or within 10 days after the end of the hunt if they did not harvest or hunt.  Hunters are required to file a report for each tag they bought whether they went hunting or not.      To file a report, go to the Fish and Game website:                 http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/harvest_report/.      Fish and Game also has a 24-hour, toll-free phone line to speak to a live operator when filing reports.      Or call 1-877-268-9365 to file reports 24 hours a day, seven days a week.      To file reports, hunters need to know their tag numbers or hunting license numbers, the number of days they hunted, the game management units they hunted in, the date they harvested, and the number of antler points on the animal they harvested, or the length of the horns for pronghorns in inches. These harvest data are valuable to Idaho Fish and Fame for managing big game populations. For questions or problems entering a hunter report please call the Fish and Game Wildlife Bureau at 208-334-2920. For real-time raw results visit: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/mhr.

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Yes.  Both white-tailed and black-tailed jackrabbits are found in Idaho.  I found the following information on the National Geographic website. White-tailed jackrabbits are another common species. They frequent North America's plains and farmlands, though they also inhabit wooded areas. They are prolific eaters and can consume over a pound (0.5 kilograms) of grasses, shrubs, or bark each day. Black-tailed jackrabbits are common in American deserts, scrublands, and other open spaces, including farms. They can consume very large quantities of grasses and plants,including desert species such as sagebrush and cacti. The jackrabbit's breeding prowess is well known. Females can give birth to several litters a year, each with one to six young. The young mature quickly and require little maternal care. Booming jackrabbit populations can cause problems for farmers, especially in light of the animals' healthy appetite. Jackrabbits are often killed for crop protection, but in general their populations are stable and not in need of protection.

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We wanted to expand our original list of "Family Friendly" fishing waters around the state, but many of the ponds where we wanted to give the special designation are high angler use waters.  Biologically, we felt the bass populations in many urban ponds that we've added to the list, could not sustain a reproducing population of bass without maintaining the 12" minimum length. One of the things we now emphasize in the "Family Fishing Waters" brochure is the experience of going fishing with others.  We hope the length limit on bass doesn't ruin your experience.  

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Wolf tags are sold over the counter.  They are a general season tag, not a controlled hunt item.

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Yes.

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Lifetime license holders are counted in the resident pool for controlled hunts, even if they have moved out of state.

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Please contact the Southwest Region office at 465-8465 to ask about it.

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Yes; you can purchase a second deer tag but it can only come out of the nonresident pool of unsold deer tags.  The cost of the tag would be $301.75.  You can pick one up at any vendor.

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The requirements for muzzleloader-only season weapons are: Muzzleloader Caliber Requirements In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and short-range hunts, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals: • With any muzzleloading rifle or musket that is less than .45 caliber for deer, pronghorn, or mountain lion; or is less than .50 caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat or black bear. Muzzleloader-Only Season Any person hunting in a muzzleloader-only season, including controlled hunts must have in their possession a license with a muzzleloader permit validation. 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. In addition, the muzzleloading rifle or musket must be: • Capable of being loaded only from the muzzle. • Equipped with only open or peep sights. Scopes and any electronics are prohibited. Except hunters with a visual disability may apply for a permit to use nonmagnifying scopes. (Applications are available at Fish and Game offices). • Loaded only with loose black powder, loose Pyrodex, or other loose synthetic black powder. Pelletized powders are prohibited. • Equipped with a single or double-barrel. • Loaded with a projectile that is within .010 inch of the bore diameter. Sabots are prohibited. • Loaded with a patched round ball or conical non-jacketed projectile comprised wholly of lead or lead alloy. • Equipped only with a flint, percussion cap or musket cap. 209 primers are prohibited. • Equipped with an ignition system in which any portion of the cap is exposed or visible when the weapon is cocked and ready to fire.  

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Whenever someone makes a statement that an animal thrives well anywhere it lives, it reminds me of when a Doctor once told me that every patient that walks out of his office is alive.  Pretty much a person has to be alive to walk out of the Doctors office, and pretty much lynx or any animal will only live or persistent in an area if they are thriving.  We do not have a documented population of lynx in Idaho.  In fact there are very few lynx sightings that have been documented in Idaho in the last 10 or so years, and of those sightings we cannot say for sure if any of them were staying put ("living and thriving") in Idaho or just passing through.  Overall, Lynx populations are considered endangered or threatened in most of their historical range in the lower 48 States, and that is true for Idaho.  Since there are not historical records of population sizes and whether Lynx thrived or persisted well on the Idaho landscape it is tough to say whether the population was abundant or a scattered relic from an ecological friendler time period.   So, yes I guess it is true that lynx will thrive anywhere they live, but struggle anywhere that has marginal habitat for lynx or other ecological factors that limit or constrain their population.  In Idaho Lynx are not thriving beyond very few and rare sightings, nor do we have documentation that we could current support a higher population.