If you've hit a big game animal and are tracking it so it can be recovered (like by following a blood trail), can this be done at any time of the day or night? I see in the reg's that a blood tracking dog can only be used during official hunting hours, but I didn't see any other clarification.
Answer:
The IDFG Commission has only established hunting hours. For most game species it is 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunrise. Waterfowl hunting ends at sunset.
There is also commission rule and state law that requires hunters to make a reasonable effort to retrieve any wounded game species, which would include into the evening and past established shooting hours. This rule does not authorize hunters to further "take" game outside of the established shooting hours.
Answered on:
Monday, October 28, 2013 - 10:14 AM MDT