Ask the Conservation Officer (CO)

by Gary Hompland, Regional Conservation Officer Question: "Is there a rule restricting how long I can leave my duck and goose decoys out?" Answer: The rule you are thinking of only applies to use of decoys on Idaho Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Management Areas. In order to help manage hunter congestion and prevent hunters from setting out their decoys to "reserve hunting blinds" on wildlife management areas, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted rules restricting when and how long waterfowl decoys can be deployed. The commission rule for Fish and Game wildlife management areas is: decoys must not be left unattended, and can not be put in place more than 2 hours prior to official shooting hours. Additionally, all decoys must be picked up and removed from the hunting site no later than 2 hours after the end of official shooting hours. Hunters are allowed to leave decoys unattended for an indeterminate amount of time on private land or on public land that has no restrictions, such as the Snake River. Hunters are cautioned about leaving decoys unattended as they become targets of theft. Leaving decoys deployed unattended in public hunting areas is not a method of reserving public hunting blinds. Public hunting areas are open to all on a first-come-first-served basis. If you have any further questions you may call the Magic Valley Regional Office of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at (208)324-4350 or e-mail us at the Fish and Game web site at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.