Frequently Asked Questions

A: 

You only need the WMA pheasant to hunt pheasants.  Permits for waterfowl hunting statewide are a migratory bird validation and the federal duck stamp.    

A: 

That information is not available online.  You can contact the region office in your area or IDFG headquarters for that information.

A: 

Check the Big Game Rules book pages 9 and 10 in the deer hunt season table.  If the unit lists antlerless hunting is only open for youth, only a youth hunter can shoot a doe in that unit.  They do have to abide by the antlered restrictions (such as 2-point only or no antlered deer harvest).

A: 

The Idaho legal definition for "possession limit" is:  "Possession limit" means the maximum limit in number or amount of wildlife which may be lawfully in the possession of any person. "Possession limit" shall apply to wildlife being in possession while in the field or being transported to final place of consumption or storage. Therefore, if the forest grouse limit is 4 birds a day (daily bag limit) and a possession limit of 12 birds, you can harvest no more than 4 birds in a day, regardless if you take them home, eat them, or give them away. However, after a three day hunt away from home, you could have up to 12 birds in your possession (on your person, in your cooler, your vehicle or camper) as you travel home. If you can hunt close to home and return home each day with 4 birds, you could have have 16 birds in your home freezer after a 4th day of hunting. Your possession limit only applies while you are in transit or away from the final place of storage or consumption. If you are hunting away from home for 4 days, you could harvest up to 16 birds (4 each day), however, you would need to bring a dutch oven and eat some so that you were never in possession of more than your possession limit (4 on the first day, 8 on the second, 12 on the third and every day following). Remeber though, no matter how many you cook up in the ducth oven, you can not harvest more than 4 a day. Finally, Idaho's possession limit does not apply to federally protected migratory birds (ducks, geese, doves, etc). Federal possession limits do apply to home storage for these species.

A: 

Yes; since it is your kill, you must put your tag on it when you retrieve the animal.

A: 

The first planting of steelhead is Nov. 1, 2012.  Fish will be planted from the Glenwood Bridge to Barber Park.  At this point, we don't know if we will plant steelhead a second time this year or not. Watch the news!

A: 

An Idaho fishing license is valid by calendar year - January 1 through December 31.  

A: 

This is often an ethical dilemma faced by hunters. The rule states it is illegal to hunt big game with the use of bait (except for bear and wolf). Bait here is defined as something placed to attract wildlife. However, many ranchers use salt blocks to manage cattle movement within an allotment. If the salt was placed for livestock and not to attract wildlife, it would be legal to hunt over. If you find a salt block in the forest you will have to make that ethical decision whether you believe that salt was left for livestock or whether it was placed as bait to wildlife. There is not a legal distance associated with the baiting law. The intent of the law is to prohibit hunting if the salt was placed to attract wildlife and if that salt has influenced or enticed wildlife on a path that allows the hunter the advantage.

A: 

The latest report of a possible mountain lion sighting was made on Wednesday, October 10 at 4pm.  This occured north of the river in the Tablerock/Warm Springs area.  Officers responding to the scene and didn't find any evidence of the lion. Another, yet unconfirmed, sighting was made on Wednesday in Garden City.  It is possible that two mountain lions may be in the area.  Adults should keep their children and pets close when outdoors, especially walking along the Boise River.       

A: 

It depends.  What state did your wife hunt when she hunted?  Did she complete a state-sponsored hunter education course?  If so, many states, including Idaho, keep student/class records going back to when hunter education became mandatory.  In Idaho, all hunters must show proof that they have completed a hunter education course if they were born on or after January 1, 1975.     Depending on what can find out, she may be required to complete an Idaho course.  For hunter education course options, please refer to page 100 of the 2012 big game regulation.  You can also contact your nearest IDFG office for specific details. 

A: 

No.  While resident children under 14 can fish without a license, they must purchase a two-pole permit to fish with two poles.  Resident children under 14 can purchase a two-pole permit without a fishing license.