Some License Holders Need a Licensed Adult Along

Holders of a youth small game license and those with a nonresident junior mentored hunting license must be accompanied in the field by an adult with a valid Idaho hunting license, according to House Bill 604, passed by the Idaho Legislature in 2002. The Fish and Game Commission defined "adult" as 18 years of age or older. According to Commission rule, the adult must be close enough to speak and hear without the aid of electronic devices, and within sight. The youth small game license is available to residents and nonresidents who are 10-11 years old. It can be used to hunt upland and migratory game birds, wild turkeys, cottontail rabbits and unprotected and predatory wildlife. The nonresident junior mentored hunting license is available to nonresidents age 12-17. It can be used to hunt big game animals, as well as small game. Anyone who has one of these licenses can buy a nonresident mentored deer, elk or bear tag at prices much reduced from regular nonresident prices, $9.75, $15 and $6, respectfully, rather than $235, $338.50 and $235. The reductions are intended to encourage children of split families to "come home and hunt Idaho."