Frequently Asked Questions
We get a lot of questions. We post here answers to questions we're being asked frequently. If you have a question not answered here, please contact us. Urgent questions should be directed to your nearest office. Some answers change over time; please take note of the "answered" date.
Displaying 3401 - 3425 of 3534 questionsA:
No. That's been tried. Last summer a salmon angler was cited for fishing before hours on the upper Lochsa River. This is 160 miles east of Lewiston, and the officer used the Lewiston paper to determine sunrise. After the citation was issued the angler went home to Montana and looked up the gps location for the spot, looked up some other web site with Greenwich mean time and tried to convince the prosecutor that the sun comes up a few seconds earlier for every few feet you walk east and therefore he was not really THAT early and we should acknowledge this by putting a foot by foot sunrise table in the regulations. The prosecutor didn't buy it. The angler pleaded guilty rather than go to trial. He paid $125.00 for his efforts. Bottom line here is simpler is better. If we put all this material in the rules you would need a big mule to carry them!!answered 9/8/2002
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Specific shooting times are listed in the upland game regulations for Canada geese, mourning doves and sandhill cranes. The waterfowl regulations have specific shooting times listed for ducks and geese. All these migratory birds' shooting hours run from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.Big game, upland game and upland bird hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Calculate big game starting times from the official time as listed in the paper or on the news instead of "daylight breaking." On the first day of pheasant season in southern Idaho, the season opens at noon, so that is when shooting hours start.answered 8/29/2002
Q: Why can't I exchange my spring turkey tag for a fall turkey tag if I didn't harvest in the spring?
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Turkey tags are no longer exchangeable except in the following cases:The spring turkey tag can be exchanged for a spring controlled turkey hunt.The late spring/fall turkey tag can be exchanged for a fall controlled turkey hunt.answered 8/25/2002
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Besides, of course, your valid Idaho hunting license, you will need the federal stamp and the Federal Migratory Harvest Information Permit. You no longer need an Idaho waterfowl stamp. The Idaho stamp for waterfowl, as well as upland game birds, was discontinued when the last license increase went into effect. Remember non-toxic shot is required for all waterfowl hunting but the choices in shot types is extensive now compared to a few years ago when only steel shot was available.answered 8/18/2002
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This is indeed about the time of year you may see kokanee start heading up some of our trout steams from lakes and reservoirs. You're right, they are salmon, but being a landlocked variety, fishing for kokanee is not affected by rules for salmon fishing. In most areas kokanee will be counted in your trout limit, but there are exceptions in the rules, so read your rulebook on the specific area you are fishing. Remember, game fish must be hooked in the mouth or head. Not so long ago snagging kokanee was allowed in Idaho, but that is true no longer, and intentional foul-hooking can bring you a ticket.answered 8/11/2002
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Idaho has 29 elk hunting zones. Tag sales limits—usually called caps—apply to only five of these zones. Even where the caps are in place, the limit is based on historic use and does not represent a serious cut in tags. You can buy a tag.answered 8/4/2002
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True. Under a law approved in the last Idaho legislature, the age for becoming a licensed hunter has been lowered from 12 to 10. However, hunters 10 and 11 years old will qualify for small game hunting only, not big game hunts, and must be closely supervised by an adult.answered 7/28/2002
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Yes, indeed. You can purchase a nonresident deer or elk tag—left over from nonresident quotas that went unfilled—for the nonresident price as an extra tag. These tags go on sale August 28 at license vendors as well as Fish and Game offices.answered 7/21/2002
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There are classes scheduled in most parts of the state before fall hunting begins. Some regions are registering for classes soon, so contact your regional Fish and Game office for times and places.answered 7/14/2002
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For almost everyone, August 1 is the first day for buying general hunt tags. Tags are available from more than 400 private license vendors in Idaho and from all Fish and Game offices. For those few hunts that begin August 1, tags can be obtained two weeks in advance.answered 7/7/2002
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License vendors can print out a list for you. Or, you can go to the Fish and Game web site at http://www2.state.id.us/fishgame/hunt/ch/leftover.htm for a list. Leftover controlled hunt permits go on sale at 10 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time, 9 a.m. Pacific, July 15.answered 6/30/2002
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Nope, not required. However, this practice would save some time and sweat when it comes time to check your bear in with the department. A premolar is taken to help biologists keep track of the age of bears taken in Idaho hunting seasons. It's a matter of scientifically managing bear populations. Age information is shared with the hunter.Hunters could help out a little by keeping their bears' mouths open. Freezing and rigor mortis can make it difficult to take a tooth.answered 6/23/2002
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What you see is what you get. All results have been posted on the Fish and Game web site. If you enter your license number in the appropriate form, you will see any and all hunts you drew. If one you applied for and wanted is not there, you are one of the many unlucky.answered 6/23/2002
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You do indeed, as long as you have been an Idaho resident for the five years previous. Growing older in Idaho does have its rewards.answered 6/9/2002
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Notification should come by July 10 of drawing results but those results will also be posted on the Fish and Game web site at www2.state.id.us/fishgame.answered 6/3/2002
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If you tried to apply for hunt 2085, it won't be processed because that hunt has been cancelled. Hunt 2084, a later hunt in unit 37, is still available and has had 100 permits added to it. If you tried to apply for hunts 2073 (32-2) or 2089 (39-4) it won't be processed because these hunts are landowner permission hunts and are only available after July 15. The landowners in the hunt area receive permission slips, which they give to interested hunters. Hunters with permission slips can go to the regional offices in Nampa or McCall, or to the Boise Headquarters office, to get the tags and permits for those hunts issued.answered 5/23/2002
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The general rivers and stream fishing season opens on Saturday, May 25. Most Idaho lakes, ponds, reservoirs, ditches and canals are open for year-round fishing. A few streams don't open until July 1. Consult the 2002-2003 rules booklet for exceptions and to locate family fishing waters. A resident fishing license costs $23.50, or $12.50 for Juniors (age 14-17). A nonresident season license is $74.50, Juniors $38.00. A daily license is $10.50 for the first day plus $4.00 for each day following it.Remember, no fishing license is required for residents or nonresidents on June 8, 2002 which is "Free Fishing Day" in Idaho. Limits and equipment restrictions still apply.answered 5/19/2002
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Oops. The language on ultralights was removed from page 4 (but left its headline all alone). Ultralights have been defined as aircraft by the Fish and Game Commission. Aircraft may not be used in the act of hunting.answered 5/6/2002
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A hunting license is required for anyone applying for a controlled hunt. Once you buy the license, you are the proud owner regardless of your luck in the draw.answered 4/28/2002
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Yes, but it will have to be in a controlled hunt. A person is allowed to purchase three turkey tags a year. They are the spring general season tag or a spring controlled hunt tag, a late spring/fall tag, and a fall controlled hunt tag. If a person uses their spring general season tag or spring controlled hunt tag and their late spring/fall tag to harvest birds in the spring, the only hunt they are eligible for in the fall is the controlled hunt.answered 4/21/2002
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Nope. This kind of an exchange amounts to a license upgrade, which is now prohibited by Commission policy.answered 4/14/2002
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Apply for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat before April 30. You must purchase a hunting license before you can apply for a controlled hunt. The cost is $164.50 for residents or $1514.50 for non residents. You may apply for only one species. Applications can be submitted at any license vendor, or by credit card over the phone at 1-800-554-8685, or over the internet. There is an additional fee for credit card charges by phone and over the internet.If you are selected, you will receive the necessary permits and tags in the mail by June 10. If not selected, you will receive a refund (minus $6.50) by June 10. Credit card purchases will be refunded to your credit card.answered 4/7/2002
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True, but only in the Lolo, Selway and Middle Fork elk hunting zones. These tags will be available beginning July 1.answered 3/31/2002
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Good catch. That's true: it is illegal in Idaho for people in aircraft to be in communication with hunters on the ground. Now that rule has been extended to paragliders and any other powered craft of that ilk, even though they are not classed as aircraft under federal aviation rules.answered 3/24/2002
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A proposal to ban the use of electronic communication devices in the taking of game did recently come before the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, but department staff did not recommend a change in current law. The department cited public comment in opposition to the ban. The Commission agreed with the recommendation and kept rules as they were, allowing unrestricted use of electronic communications devices in the field.answered 3/17/2002