Frequently Asked Questions

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After completing a hunter education course, a youth can hunt upland game, waterfowl and unprotected species (such as coyotes) at the age of 10. At 12 they can hunt big game.

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This is such a broad topic that it is hard to answer here.  It was suggested to me that you should go to a local sporting goods store and talk with them about what works well in your area.

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Mandatory Check and Report Requirements for Moose   Antlers must be presented at Idaho Fish and Game regional offices or official check point or to a conservation officer within 10 days of the date of the kill. Fish and Game headquarters office is not equipped to check in moose. In the Boise area, these animals can be checked at the IDFG Regional Office in Nampa (3101 S. Powerline Rd, 208-465-8465) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or by appointment at the Garden City facility, 109 W. 44th St., 208-327-7099. Successful hunters must complete a big game mortality report, available at Fish and Game regional offices, from conservation officers, taxidermistsand meat processors within 10 days of the date of the kill. All hunters who have harvested either an antlered or antlerless moose must complete this report. A hunter may authorize another person to comply with the above report requirements if that person complies with those requirements and possesses the necessary information to accurately complete the form. Unsuccessful hunters must present or mail their unused tags to a Fish and Game office within 10 days after the close of the season for which the tag was valid. Cancelled tags will be returned to the hunter upon request. Failure to report may result in future ineligibility in moose drawings.

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Thank you for contacting us.  For a question such as this, we suggest you call the region office so you can get details from them.  Unit 73 is in the Southeast Region.  Their number is 208-232-4703.

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Black bears are found all over eastern Idaho and now grizzlies are in many areas too, so planning ahead to carry bear spray is a wise choice!  Unfortunately, IDFG cannot make product recommendations, but we can tell you what to look for when purchasing a product.   Bear spray can be obtained at most outdoors stores, online, or even large retail stores. The number one thing to be sure and get is bear spray, not just pepper spray.  Bear spray is designed for use against bears, pepper spray for humans.  While the active ingredient of Capsaicin is the same, the carrier agent and delivery nozzle are different.  Some people think you need a high percentage of Capsaicin, but research has shown that 2% is effective and what is found in most bear sprays. Bear spray is not inexpensive, but buy the largest canister you can afford.  The larger the can, the more spray available.  All canisters come with expiration dates on them.  Should you want to use a canister beyond that date is up to you.  Do not test fire the canisters because you have a limited amount of spray.  Training canisters can be purchased online if you want to practice. Along with the spray, be sure to have a way to carry it so it is readily accessible, either a holster or a way to hold it so that it can be deployed in a moment.  Never carry it packed away! Always keep the safety on until you are ready to use it, but be sure you are comfortable with operating it. A number of videos can be found online that show the proper way to use bear spray.  You can also take our bear ID test on the IDFG website. To learn more about safety in bear country you might want to check out the following links:   http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/education/bearIdentification/ www.igbconline.org http://www.centerforwildlifeinformation.org/BeBearAware/bebearaware.html      

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If you are the driver/owner of the car and involved in a collision with a deer, the first thing you should do is insure everyone is OK. If possible before doing anything else, for your safety, be sure you are not blocking traffic. If the animal is dead, you may want to move off the traffic lane. If the animal is wounded and alive, please notify your nearest Conservation Officer, Fish and Game office or local law enforcement. Do not attempt to dispatch the animal yourself. ITD Highway Engineers and IDFG Biologists are interested in knowing which sections of Idaho’s highways are most dangerous for both motorists and wildlife. That is why both agencies have collaborated in building a database to record road kill information. Armed with this information, highway engineers can work with biologist to design safer roadways for motorists and better wildlife crossings like the wildlife underpass on Hwy 20 near Lucky Peak Reservoir. If you are aware of a road kill, note the date, and location either by address or Hwy and mile post marker. If you use the online feature, you can use the mapping feature to pin drop the location.  Also note the species of animal involved, and if possible, be prepared to give as much detail as to its age and gender. You can enter this information online at the following road kill reporting web site: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/observations/salvage/ You may also report this same information by phone or in person at your nearest Fish and Game Office or Idaho Transportation Department office. New rules now allow persons to salvage certain wildlife for personal use. If you wish to salvage certain road kill wildlife you must report them to a Fish and Game office within 24 hours and receive a permit within 10 days. This can be accomplished in one step using the online reporting (same link as above) and indicate you want to salvage the animal. The web page will generate the permit that you can print from your computer. In one step you will help us identify locations of highways that are vulnerable to vehicle wildlife collisions, as well as report and receive your permit to possess certain wildlife to salvage. A Salvage permit can also be obtained in person at your nearest Fish and Game office. Please take a look at the online reporting page for more information on the rules associated with the salvage of wildlife killed by motor vehicles. The online reporting and database is not monitored daily by employees and is intended to capture road kill data for future use. Road kill that present a hazard and need to be removed from highways for safety or health reasons, please contact you nearest IDFG or ITD office and report the road kill and ask if it can be removed.

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Yes, you can use them while you are hunting. There are no rules specific to the use of trail cameras.

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IDFG doesn't have an insect specialist on staff; try the Department of Agriculture (http://www.agri.idaho.gov/Categories/PlantsInsects/indexplantsandinsectshome.php).  I hope they can help.

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Yes, it is legal for any hunter (whether resident or nonresident) to purchase big game tags after the season for them has opened.

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This is a difficult question to answer because it all depends on the species and the time of year.  For example, while nesting many bird nests are depredated (eaten) by foxes, skunks, badgers, coyotes, crows, ravens, magpies and even cows.  Foxes and skunks are the most notorious nest predators.  Once the eggs have hatched, the young birds are more vulnerable to birds of prey.  Upland game birds are also vulnerable to predation during times of stress (i.e. heavy snows and extremely cold weather).  While predators do have an impact, weather certainly impacts game bird populations on a yearly basis.  However, the quantity and quality of nesting habitat is critical to maintaining Idaho’s game bird populations for the long-term. Game birds require adequate undisturbed nesting cover to successfully hatch a nest and then abundant broadleaf plants and insect populations to successfully raise chicks to adult size.

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You can use a remote controlled boat to fish, provided you have a fishing license, you are fishing during a legal season and using legal bait, and the craft is under direct control of an operator.

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We appreciate your concern.  Please contact the Idaho Fish and Game Panhandle Region Office (208-769-1414) for information.