Bill would provide funding to landowners willing to open their property to public hunting and fishing access.
See the new 2018-2019 Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules.
The new rule booklets include several changes for hunting turkeys, rabbits and trapping. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved the changes in mid-January, after a year-long process seeking public input on proposed changes.
Printed copies of the rules booklets will be available mid-February at all regional offices and most license vendors.
The new rule booklets include updated price information for 2018 licenses, tags and permits, which went into effect January 1, 2018.
Idaho rules require a Wolf Trapper Certification class be completed and passed before a person can purchase wolf trapping tags. The course includes instruction in the classroom and a field demonstration, followed by a written exam. Courses are offered periodically throughout the year.
Two separate and complete wolf trapping certification classes have been scheduled in Coeur d’Alene. The dates are Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10. The classes will be held at the IDFG Panhandle Region office in Coeur d’Alene. Advance registration is required.
Individuals interested in completing the class can register online. The course costs $8 per student. Online registration by credit card requires an added convenience fee of $1.75. The fee is due at the time of registration. Registrants must be at least 9 years of age to take the course.
IDFG also offers a general furbearer trapping class that is different from the Wolf Trapper Certification class. The general furbearer trapping class does not qualify people for the purchase of wolf trapping tags. When registering, please be certain to sign up for the correct trapping class you want to take.
The Wolf Trapper Certification course is instructor-led. Instructors are experienced trappers who are trained and certified to provide students with both classroom study and interactive, hands-on training. Course content covers a wide variety of topics related to wolf biology, wolf behavior and management. There are specific rules regarding wolf trapping that are covered in the class.
Instructors and IDFG staff leading the class have expertise in furbearer management, trapping laws and ethics, responsible trapping, proper equipment and trapping techniques. Proper care of a hide for maximum value, and harvest reporting requirements are covered as well.
Do you currently allow hunting or fishing, but cannot keep up with or do not want to manage all of the hunters and anglers on your property? Or, are you interested in allowing people to hunt or fish, but are not sure about the hassle of managing sportsmen at your doorstep? Idaho Department of Fish and Game may have a solution for you. Have you ever heard of the Access YES! program? This program is designed to promote public access for sportsmen to hunt, fish, and trap on private lands. The benefits of enrolling in the program include: habitat improvements or per acre payment for access. Additionally, we will take care of all signage of boundaries and designated parking locations, and provide sign-in boxes. We are currently accepting applications, due May 15th. Successful bids will be selected and landowner notified by July 31st.
Mountain lion hunters should note that the harvest season for female mountain lion has closed in game management unit 36B near Challis, as the harvest quota of two females was reached on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
Hunters will be allowed to keep female mountain lions taken prior to this closure and must report them within five days of harvest. The harvest season in this unit remains open for males only until the season ends March 31, 2018.
For more information on female lion quotas and whether the season has been closed in a particular management unit, call 1-800-323-4334 or visit Fish and Game’s website at https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/mountain-lion/quota.
Additional details on seasons and rules for mountain lion hunting rules can be found in the 2017 & 2018 Big Game Seasons and Rules brochure available at all Fish and Game license vendors and online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/rules/big-game.
See more photos from this year's event.
Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatcheries will be releasing more than 9,500 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during February.
Location Week Stocked # of Trout
Boise River - above Glenwood Bridge February 12 720
Boise River - below Glenwood Bridge February 12 720
Eagle Island Park Pond February 12 450
Esthers Pond (Boise) February 12 1,300
Kleiner Pond (Meridian) February 19 900
Marsing Pond January 29 450
McDevitt Pond (Boise) February 12 450
Parkcenter Pond (Boise) February 12 750
Payette Pond February 19 450
Riverside Pond (Boise) February 12 360
Sawyers Ponds (Emmett) February 12 450
Weiser Community Pond February 19 500
Williams Pond (Boise) February 12 450
Wilson Ponds (Nampa) January 29, February 5, 12, 19 400/400/400/400
Wilson Springs (Nampa) January 29, February 12 250/250
The number of trout actually released may be altered by weather, water conditions, equipment problems or schedule changes. If delays occur, trout will be stocked when conditions become favorable.
- IDFG -
Land will provide winter range for big game and habitat for other wildlife.
Tags will go on sale May 10 for nonresidents and July 12 for residents.
New rules are posted online and booklets available at vendors later in February.
New fee will be added to the first annual license you purchase in 2018.
