Migratory Bird Hunting

In Idaho, migratory birds include waterfowl, sandhill cranes, doves and crows.

Waterfowl

Idaho lies between the Pacific Flyway and the Central Flyway. In northern and eastern Idaho, waterfowl hunters pull out their gear for the peak season in October and November. Hunting in south central and southwestern Idaho is best during late November, December and early January.

To hunt waterfowl in Idaho you need:

Idaho hunting license
Migratory Bird (HIP) Permit.
Nontoxic shot
Federal Migratory Bird (Duck) Stamp for all hunters 16 or older.

Sandhill Crane and Dove

Hunting mourning doves is increasingly popular and there is an open season on the introduced Eurasian-collared dove. Sandhill crane hunting occurs in eastern Idaho to help reduce crop damage.

To hunt doves and cranes in Idaho you need:

Idaho hunting license
Migratory Bird (HIP) Permit.

Attention: Hunters need to purchase a sandhill crane tag. These tags go on sale August 1 at 10:00am (MDT) on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.

Youth Hunts
For young hunters, waterfowl hunting is a great introduction to the outdoors. Idaho holds a special youth waterfowl season before the general season begins.The days are September 24 and 25 statewide.

Setting Waterfowl Seasons
Preferences of Idaho Waterfowl Hunters as surveyed in 2016.
– [PDF, 287 KB]

Banded Waterfowl in Idaho
The first large-scale North American banding program was established in 1922 to gather information about migratory waterfowl. Biologists have banded up to 16 million geese and ducks through 2007 and an additional 350,000 birds every year since. About 85,000-90,000 bands are reported each year to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Report Duck And Goose Leg Bands 1-800-327-BAND (2263) or http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/

News

Mourning dove, sandhill crane, and early goose seasons open Sept. 1

Friday, August 25, 2017 - 2:12 PM MDT

The 2017 mourning dove, sandhill crane, and early Canada goose seasons open Friday, September 1. The mourning dove season runs through October 30, with a daily bag limit of 15 and a possession limit of 45.

Migratory Bird Hunting Hunting Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)
Sandhill crane tags available August 1

Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 8:25 AM MDT

Hunters are reminded that Sandhill crane will be available first-come, first-served starting at 10 am MDT, August 1 at Fish and Game license vendors, online at https://idfg.idaho.gov, or by calling 800-554-8685.

Migratory Bird Hunting Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)
Commission sets 2017-18 waterfowl regulations

Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - 2:49 PM MDT

New zones and season openers were in response to hunters' desires to get maximum opportunity in their areas.

Migratory Bird Hunting
Waterfowl hunters help shape seasons through opinion poll

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 - 9:33 AM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game commissioners will set the 2017-18 waterfowl seasons on April 11.

Migratory Game Bird Seasons and Rules Migratory Bird Hunting
Ducks, Rivers and Volunteers

Tuesday, March 21, 2017 - 11:49 AM MDT

You may run across Idaho Fish and Game volunteers John Buzzell and Alan Crockett putting up wood duck boxes along the Boise River on a sunny afternoon.

Migratory Bird Hunting Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
Snow Geese Descend on Fort Boise WMA [video]

Monday, March 13, 2017 - 3:46 PM MDT

Wildlife Conservation and Management Migratory Bird Hunting Southwest Region Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens)
Comments sought on migratory game bird seasons

Monday, March 13, 2017 - 3:27 PM MDT

Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the upcoming migratory game bird seasons. To view and comment on the season proposals, visit Fish and Game's public involvement page at https://idfg.idaho.gov/comment

Migratory Bird Hunting Migratory Game Bird Seasons and Rules Regions