Frequently Asked Questions

A: 

There isn't a maximum number of bullets allowed as long as the following rules are followed: Rifle and Shotgun In any hunt, including any-weapon seasons, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals: • By any means other than approved firearms, muzzleloaders and archery methods. • With any electronic device attached to, or incorporated on, the firearm or scope; except scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles are allowed. • With any firearm that, in combination with a scope, sling and/or any attachments, weighs more than 16 pounds. • With any fully automatic firearm. • With any shotgun using shot smaller than #00 buck. • With any rimfire rifle, rimfire handgun, or muzzle-loading handgun, except for mountain lions.

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Hello,   McArthur Lake water levels are currently low due to a summer drawdown for management purposes.  The shoreline is very mucky and very difficult to get around.  The water levels aren't yet back up to the boat dock.  However, a few people with small boats which they could drag to the fishing dock have gotten out and had successful hunts.  For information on the Lake Pend Oreille area, you can contact Dave Leptich at the Coeur d'Alene office at 208-769-1414 or the field staff at 208-263-6334.  

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Under existing Fish and Game rules for hunting with muzzleloaders during a muzzleloader-only season, polymer tipped projectiles are considered illegal.  The plastic skirt on PowerBelt bullets is considered a gas-check, much like the cloth patch used with roundballs, and is not considered part of the bullet.  Polymer tipped projectiles, along with jacketed muzzleloader bullets, can be used during any-weapon seasons.

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You can get a duplicate tag from any Fish and Game office.  They are listed on our website in the "About Us" section.  If you want to do it by mail, please contact our License Department at 208-334-2592 for a copy of the duplicate tag affidavit.

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I live out in Acequia area and i wanted to find out where I can shoot My rifles and handguns for target practice. Me and my father inlaw have been trying to find places where we can go but we are really far from a target range and wanted to see how far away you have to be from the road to shoot and if it illegal to shoot in our backyard. we live off of 400 east and about 500 north. Answer:  You may target practice anywhere you have permission on private land or essentially on all public land (BLM, USFS, USBOR, or Idaho Dept of Lands property). Understand even though you have rights to use public land, you assume all liabiltity if something goes wrong, such as someone is injured or you start a fire.  Incidently there is currently an open fire  and smoking restriction on nearly all public land in southern Idaho. If you live in the county and are not under any county shooting restrictions such as restrictions near hospitals, schools, airports, etc then as long as you can shoot safely; with a safe backstop you may target practice at your residence.  Again this assumes a safe location and permission from the landowners. I know there are some shooting ranges in the Mini-Cassia area but I don't know where they are.  I suggest you stop at a local sporting goods store to inquire about local shooting areas.  If you come to the T-F/Jerome area there are 2 good ranges.  The T-F gun club for trap & skeep and the Jerome Rod and Gun Club at mile post 64 along hwy 75 north of Jerome for rifle/pistol/sporting clays/pistol silouette/cowboy action shooting. If you have any further questions feel free to call me at the Magic Valley regional office 208-324-4350 Gary Hompland, Regional Conservation Officer          

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It depends on what type of salmon you're talking about. Spring Chinook salmon will enter the mouth of the Columbia River in March and arrive in Idaho in late April - July. Summer Chinook salmon will leave the ocean in April to early May and arrive in the Salmon River in late May to July. Sockeye salmon leave the ocean in late May and early June and reach the upper Salmon River in late August. Fall Chinook salmon leave the ocean in late July to early August and arrive in the Snake River in late August to early September.   

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Any violation of a forest fire emergency closure should be reported to the appropriate land manager.  Unit 27 is in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, part of which  is under the  Halstead Fire Closure Order Number: 04-13-12-535 which prohibits: Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (b), the following acts are prohibited on the area, roads, and/or trails described in this order, all within the Middle Fork and Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger Districts of the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area of the Sawtooth National Forest until further notice:1. Going into or being upon the fire area as described below and depicted on the attached map that is closed for the protection of public health or safety. 36 CFR 261.53(e)2. Being on a trail described below that is posted as closed. 36 CFR 261.55(a)3. Being on a road described below that is posted as closed. 36 CFR 261.54(e) With the following penalties: Any violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for a individual or $10,000 for an organization, and/or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months. [Title 16 USC 551, Title 18 USC 3571 (b)(6), Title 18 USC 3581 (b)(7)]. Contact the Salmon-Challis National Forest Forest Supervisor's Office, 1206 S. Challis Street  Salmon, ID 83467  (208) 756-5100.

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Please call the Southwest Region office for information.  Their number is 465-8465.  

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Some of the quota tags are made available to outfitters for their clients until August 31.  On September 1 those tags are moved into the general quota and they are available for anyone to purchase.  That increases the number of tags available over the original quota.

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If the season has not opened yet, your tag can be exchanged at a Fish and Game office or by mail.  Our offices are listed on our website under "About Us".

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Early in the year some tags are made available for outfitters to purchase for their clients. They are held out for the outfitters to purchase for their clients until specific dates (July 31 or August 30). At that time, any tags not purchased by outfitters go back into the general nonresident quota, which changes the numbers.