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 3301 - 3325 of 3534 questionsA:
No. The question is asked as part of a research project. You are entitled to hunt wherever the rules booklet says you can hunt with your particular tag. The question is likely to be dropped from the tag buying process for next year to avoid this confusion.answered 9/26/2004
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It is true, as it has been for the last several years since the Idaho Fish and Game Commission changed the rules to allow residents to purchase nonresident deer and elk tags as an additional tag. Residents do have to pay the nonresident tag fees.answered 9/12/2004
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With the mountain lion hunting season beginning August 30, the 1-800 number information has been updated for this season and the Internet web page on female lion quotas is ready to go at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/hunt/lion/female_quota.cfm .answered 9/2/2004
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Dove hunting, which begins September 1, requires a federal migratory bird permit ($1.50). The $15 federal waterfowl permit (required for duck and goose hunting) is not required to hunt doves. The $1.50 permit is required for hunting doves, sandhill cranes, ducks and geese.IDFGanswered 8/29/2004
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You will be seeing that report soon but you are a little early. Flights are being scheduled now but will have to be conducted on days with the right weather for counting. Keep an eye on the Fish and Game web site at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov where results will be posted as soon as they are available.answered 8/22/2004
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Unclaimed tags will be drawn August 20, with notification to reach hunters within the next week. Whatever tags are left over after that drawing and other leftover tags will be sold beginning August 25 over the counter on a first-come, first-served basis until they are gone.answered 8/15/2004
Q: Back in May, I applied for an elk controlled hunt and I found out in June that I didn't draw. No surprise, but then I see permits left in that same hunt left over for a second drawing. What's up with this?
Needless to say, I am a more than a little ticked by this situation.A:
All the permits in the hunt you wanted when you applied were drawn; the hunt was fully subscribed, in other words. But one or more of the people who drew failed-for whatever reason-to claim the permit they drew by the August 1 deadline for claiming controlled hunt tags. The fairest way to handle unclaimed permits Fish and Game, following the recommendations of many Idaho hunters, is to run a controlled hunt drawing with the same rules and conditions as applied to the first big game controlled hunt drawing. A fair and equal shot at a permit is what most hunters want.answered 8/9/2004
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You are right, you do not have to limit your hunting to one unit with a general hunt tag. The reason the clerk asked where you intended to hunt is for purely scientific purposes. Fish and Game wildlife managers need to keep track of the numbers of hunters using hunting areas so they can deal with big game resources better. This research question is not one of the most important ways vital information is gathered but it does add one more tool to the management process.answered 7/26/2004
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The list of tags will not be out any earlier than August 2. The list will be made available as soon as possible.answered 7/19/2004
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From August 5-15 is the application period for the second drawing for elk, deer, antelope (if any) and fall black bear controlled hunts. Hunters who drew in the first big draw must pick up their tags by August 1 or they will go into the pool for the second drawing.answered 7/11/2004
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Yes. This year leftover controlled hunts and any drawn controlled hunts that are not picked up by the deadline of August 1 will be put into a second draw. Look for a list of these hunts on August 2 or 3. If your favorite hunt has any permits left at that time you can apply for it at your local vendor, online, or by phone between August 5 and August 15. The controlled hunt application fee will be $6.00. Successful applicants for the second draw will be notified by August 25.answered 7/3/2004
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You do, unless you are below the age of 14. Whatever your particular fishing pleasure, licenses pay the considerable costs of keeping abundant fish in Idaho waters. Also, there is a hooking mortality on released fishes, so the angler is indeed affecting the population even if all fish are released.One of our officers added this: Idaho code 36-201 definitions says" fishing means any effort made to take, kill, injure,capture, or catch any fish .." And furthermore, "take means hunt, pursue, catch, capture, shoot, fish, seine, trap,kill ...or any attempt to do so". And finally, 36-401 says "no person shall ...fish or take... any ..fish without first having procured a license." So this is the legal reason. And also, law enforcement and resident hatcheries are totally and solely funded by license dollars, steelhead and salmon hatcheries are partially funded by steehead and salmon permits. So even when you are enjoying catch and release fishing you are enjoying the fruits of our labor and can and should expect to get checked by a representative of Fish and Game to insure a future with a healthy fishing opportunity.answered 6/27/2004
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Are you kidding? Absolutely, positively not! Fish and Game has not fed fish in streams and lakes in many years, and doesn't feed larvae of any kind when it feeds fish in hatcheries. The agency would never designate staff time to such a project. Actually, you are seeing a small variety of blackfly. Their population normally peaks every four to five years and some think that low flows in the Snake River have prolonged this peak for two-three years. In normal high-water years the larva would be more likely to be flushed away. Another drought impact, as was the outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease spread by gnats last year in the Clearwater Region. Blackflies hurt because they bite and chew to get to blood.answered 6/20/2004
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Too many tens may be the cause of confusion. Hunters who applied for moose, mountain goat and bighorn were notified by June 10. The results of elk, deer, antelope and fall black bear controlled hunt draws will be known by July 10.answered 6/13/2004
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It is true but there is really only one exception to the barbless hook rule and that is for the Boise River where steelhead and salmon are trucked in when runs are high enough to provide surplus hatchery fish. Barbs are allowed on the Boise because there are no wild steelhead or salmon in the river. Barbless hooks make releasing fish faster and easier for the angler, which means a quicker and safer return to the water for wild fish. Wild steelhead and salmon must be released unharmed.answered 6/6/2004
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June 12 is the day. The usual rules and limits apply but no one needs to be in possession of a fishing license on that day. Watch for special events in your region.answered 5/30/2004
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It's a little complicated, but the total number of tags is 40. There will be two separate Supertag drawings of 16 each, with five deer, five elk, five antelope and one moose tag in each drawing. You pick the animal you want to draw on Super tags. A Supertag allows hunting for one of these species in any hunt open for that species. A separate drawing will be held for the Super Slam. Two hunters will be drawn for all four animals in the Super Slam. Winners in the Super Slam will be able to hunt all four animals in any hunt open for that species. Applicants may purchase as many Supertag or Super Slam tickets as they want. Once tickets are filled out they need to be returned to the Headquarters Fish and Game office at: 1075 Park Blvd., or P. O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. We must have it in our office by May 31. The tickets can be filled out with someone else's name besides the purchaser. We're reaching the deadline to get those tickets in, so ordering through the Internet or 800# is probably not safe for the first drawing. Hunters can apply at any license vendor, by phone (1-800-824-3729), by mail, or online at (fishandgame.Idaho.gov) until May 31 for the first drawing on June 15. Apply between June 1 and July 30 for the second drawing that will be held on August 16. Money raised will help fund Access Yes!answered 5/23/2004
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Twelve deer, 12 elk, 12 antelope and four moose tags are being offered and will be valid for the 2004 hunting season. In each of two drawings there will be six deer, six elk, six antelope and two moose tags awarded. One for each species will be combined to make a "super slam pack" in each drawing. Hunters can apply at any license vendor, by phone, mail or online, from April 1 to May 31 (drawing June 15) and from June 1 to July 30 (drawing August 16). Money raised will help fund Access Yes!answered 5/17/2004
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This year, for the first time, left-over moose, mountain goat and bighorn sheep permits will not be immediately offered over the counter but will go into a second drawing to be held June 30. Applications will be taken from June 15 through June 25. The cost to apply for a trophy species is $164.50 for residents and $1514.50 for nonresidents. If there are any leftover tags after the second drawing, they will go on sale ten days after the second drawing.answered 5/11/2004
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No, in this case you can keep six trout and six bass for a total of 12. Limits apply to each species of fish. You need to check for special rules for the place you are fishing. If there are no special rules in the exceptions pages then general rules for trout and bass apply. Please note the general rule for bass is 6 fish, none under 12 inches.answered 4/29/2004
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It is perfectly legal and proper to do just that, so laminate to your heart's content as long as the license is legible when you are finished. One major caveat: the paper is heat sensitive and-some have discovered to their dismay-will turn black if you use a hot lamination method. Staff in our regional offices have reported that ANY heat will turn the license too black to read. Then the license is ruined and it costs $6.50 for a duplicate. Be sure to sign it before you laminate it!answered 4/25/2004
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It is true that all of Idaho's reptile species are specifically on the list of protected animals now. However, there is a provision in the law for dealing with health and safety issues. You can still kill a snake in the yard or the trail, and kids can still collect frogs and lizards. The law allows up to four of each species to be taken.answered 4/19/2004
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That depends. If you can show that you have had a valid hunting license in Idaho or another state, no. If you are a first-time hunter born on or after January 1, 1975, Idaho law requires you to have completed hunter education. Hang on to the card and/or certificate to show the license vendor. If you lose it, call Fish and Game at (208) 334-3747 or request it over the department's web site. Hunter education teaches gun safety-perhaps a redundancy for a member of the military-but also covers other subjects hunters need to understand before going afield.answered 4/11/2004
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They are going to be a little late this year, because of the timing of the commission meeting where the seasons were set. They are due for delivery at Fish and Game on April 26, and will be distributed to vendors after that. You have the entire month of May to apply for controlled hunt drawings for deer, elk, antelope and fall black bear seasons. The online version should be available a week or so earlier.answered 4/5/2004
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Nope. The rules allow applying for a controlled bear hunt in the same year you apply for moose, mountain goat or bighorn sheep.answered 3/28/2004