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 201 - 225 of 3534 questions

Q: How long to wait after purchasing a tag

How long must you wait after purchasing a tag before you can use it? I heard you must wait 24 hours.

A: 

Once you purchase a game tag, there is not a waiting period before you can go out and hunt on that tag.
answered 1/14/2016

Q: Why not Relocate!

I would like to know why the Fish@Game Does not salvage the perch at Lost Valley Resivor and plant them in a place like Salmon Falls Res. were the Walleye pop. has cleared them out pretty much this would make a good forage base for these fish . would it not be cheaper to do this than to poison them? Just wondering! Thank You!

A: 

Hello, thank you for your question about yellow perch.  Lost Valley Reservoir is managed as a coldwater trout fishery. Yellow Perch can be a problem for producing quality trout fishing, especially when the become overabundant and small.  Idaho Fish and Game does salvage fish in some cases. But, collecting enough yellow perch and transfering them somewhere else to improve the trout fishing would be extremely expensive. It would be very difficult to net enough perch to reduce the population close to zero. Transfering that many fish would take a lot of boats, trucks and manpower. This effort would need to be repeated every year to keep up with the perch population as they come back, and then you never really are rid of them.  Salvaging fish does make sense in some cases. In the case of yellow perch and Lost Valley Reservoir, it is just not an economical solution for the perch management there.  Thanks! Martin Koenig Sportfishing Program Coordinator
answered 1/14/2016

Q: Fishing at CJ Strike.

How is the fishing at CJ Strike this time of year? I would like to take my kids to do a little fishing but unusre how it would be? If it is worth going would it be better to use a boat or fish from the bank?

A: 

Depends on if there is ice on the Bruneau Arm of C.J. Strike.  Ice fishing for rainbow trout and perch can be very good if you have the equipment and know where the underwater fish habitat structures are located. If there is no ice on the reservoir, fishing can be slow this time of year on C.J. Strike.  You can occasionally find a trout or perch cruzing the shore.  Use bait and fish deep for best results.  Also, fish in the afternoon when water can potentially warm a degree or two.  Warming water temperatures prompt the fish to increase feeding activities in the winter and can create exceptional fishing in late January and February when days are lengthing and temperatures begin to warm. If you have a boat, it's best to move around on the reservoir and seek pockets of fish.  Once you've identified where fish are located and the depth, fishing with bait is your best way to catch trout and perch.  Trolling in the afternoons will be "hit-and-miss" for trout.  Boat fishing will produce better results than fishing from the bank.
answered 1/13/2016

Q: Junior Sportsmans Package

Is there an option for a junior Sportsmans Package? My son and I spend a lot of time together outdoors. Every year I purchase the Sportsmans Package for myself to cover almost all that I enjoy hunting and fishing in Idaho. My son would like to pursue (now that he is 14) the same species as I am able...but getting two full blown Sportsmans Packages is cost prohibitive. It seems it would be easy to add a Sportsmans Package for the juniors and seniors out there at their respective discounted rates. The convenience of having all the license/tags/permits available might be a huge seller and very worth while adding to the list of available packages... is anything like this available or are we only able to buy individual licenses/tags/permits for our youth (and seniors)?

A: 

We are glad to hear that you and your son enjoy spending time hunting and fishing together. We appreciate your passing on the hunting and fishing legacy to your kids. Currently there is not an option for a junior/senior/DAV sportsmans package. This is something that has been discussed as part of our on going review of our license structure and we will continue to look at this type of a feature in our license structure. For now the best thing we can suggest is the junior licenses and the discounted tags. One thing we would suggest is when your son is 17, purchase a 3 year junior combination license. Once he turns 18 he will not be able to participate in youth hunts but he will still be able to purchase big game tags at the junior price as long as the multiyear junior license is valid. Thank you for your question and we hope you have a great time in the outdoors this year.  
answered 1/13/2016

Q: Can I target practice on BLM land without a hunting license?

I know that this question has already been answered, but it was answered in the year 2000. I was just wondering if the law has changed in 16 years. Thank you!

A: 

You may target practice on BLM lands without a hunting license.
answered 1/12/2016

Q: Are adipose fins clipped on all stocked rainbow trout released in Idaho?

Are adipose fins clipped on all stocked rainbow trout released in Idaho? I caught two trout in Lucky Peak Reservoir that had caudal and pectoral fin damage commonly associated with hatchery trout but both fish retained their adipose fins.

A: 

Greetings, thanks for your question about adipose-clipped trout!  Idaho Fish and Game does not typically adipose-clip hatchery rainbow trout. You may see some adipose-clipped hatchery trout in some waters (Salmon River near Stanley, for example), but they are not very common. The Department may adipose-clip trout when needed in certain circumstances or for a particular evaluation or study (stocked brown trout on the Boise River, for example). The majority of hatchery trout are not typically adipose-clippped, so the trout you caught at Lucky Peak were probably typical hatchery trout.  Thanks, Martin Koenig Sportfishing Program Coordinator
answered 1/11/2016

Q: Are the dates on a 3 day steelhead permit flexible?

I am taking a guided steelhead fishing trip in March and will purchase a 3 day permit and license. If for some reason the trip is postponed, and I do no fishing at all on the original dates, would the license still be good for the revised dates?

A: 

We would need to change the dates before the dates on the current license expire.  A new license would need to be issued with the new dates.  This can be done at no cost.
answered 1/11/2016

Q: Hunting

Is black bear open in unit 66a during the 2016 controled antlersless elk center fire season. If i were to hunt antlerless elk this 2016 center fire season in unit 66a could I harvest a black bear provided i have my tags and license.

A: 

Black bear season is open in GMU 66A in the fall from Aug 30 - Oct 31.  The antlerless elk controlled hunt is Oct 25 - Nov 15.  For the first few days  of the elk season (Oct 25-31) you would be able to harvest a black bear.
answered 1/9/2016

Q: Hunting

Is black bear open in unit 66a during the 2016 controled antlersless elk center fire season? If i were to hunt antlerless elk this 2016 center fire season in unit 66a could I harvest a black bear provided i have my tags and license?

A: 

For the 2016 year, the bear and antlerless elk hunt would be both be open only from October 25-31.   The bear is open October 1-31 and the controlled elk is open October 25-November 15.   Please be advised that these dates may differ in the future years beyond 2016.
answered 1/9/2016

Q: Why is a two point hunt allowed in the Owyhee Mountains ?

Every year while Chuckar hunting we hear stories and on occasion have seen three point Deer 'or greater 'shot and left lay in the Owyhee Mountains . Hunters that have made an error in analyzing the points on a Deer . They choose not to expose their error because of legal consequences. It is a TWO Point hunt. This has been called the Buzzard Hunt because the Buzzards will show you where these Deer shot in error are located. What a waste !!! Seems some other formate could be established , i.e. A quota system with a mandatory visual Idfg report., once the established quota has been reached , Closed . i.e. Doe hunt. i.e. Youth hunt only 'along with the big buck tag for adults'. And there may be some other alternatives. I called IDFG with this and told the guy people were shooting Deer in error ,,,,, all he said was " They better not ". In parting he said "the Lions and Scavengers will eat em up ". Aaaaah , he missed the point !

A: 

The Owyhee Units general season only allows harvest of young bucks to limit the overall harvest.  The units are mostly considered a high desert that generally supports a lower deer density because the area is limited by water and seasonal forage.  Also, the area is relatively open which generates a higher vulnerability for big bucks.  The potentially higher vulnerability combined with the proximity of Units 40 and 41 to the Boise metropolitan area means that these units could have very high hunter pressure and harvest on big bucks if there were an any buck open general season. Frankly, these deer populations couldn’t sustain that kind of heavy harvest pressure, and still provide a mature buck hunt.  The advantage of a 2-point restriction harvest-reduction strategy is that it still allows hunters to pursue bucks in a general season.  It allows older age classes of bucks to be harvested in a controlled hunt, and keeps large, mature bucks in the breeding population. That said, each strategy to reduce harvest has trade-offs and disadvantages.  The disadvantage of the 2-point restriction is people making mistakes, as you’ve pointed out, and mature trophy bucks being vulnerable to poachers.  IDFG is aware of this issue, but we believe that when looking at the population as a whole the 2-point restriction is reducing the number of bucks harvested while still allowing the most opportunity for hunters. Hunters NEED to be aware of what they are aiming at before they pull the trigger.  Take a few extra seconds to confirm that the buck is legal before taking the shot. IDFG is currently considering a research project to study buck vulnerability in the 2-point restriction units and comparing them to units with an open general season, such as Unit 46.  Stay tuned for more information if this project develops further.
answered 1/9/2016

Q: is there a bag limit on sunapee trout in Idaho?

Arctic char in dworshak reservoir?

A: 

Sunapee trout would be included in the current definition of a trout in Idaho.  The limit would be 6 unless there is a special rule on the water where they are found.  There are no sunapee in Dworshak Reservoir or tributaries.  The only place in Idaho that we have sunapee is in a couple of high mountain lakes in the Sawtooth Mountains.  What you're probably catching are bull trout (also in the char family) which are federally protected. Next time you catch one, take a picture, release the fish and email us a photo.   Thanks
answered 1/8/2016

Q: Nonresident tag usage.

If a nonresident uses a general elk tag on another species, such as a deer or bear, can that hunter purchase another elk tag and continue hunting?

A: 

An adult nonresident elk tag may be used to harvest an elk, bear, mountain lion or gray wolf if  a season is open for that species where and when the elk tag is valid. It cannot be used to harvest a deer. Hunters can purchase an adult nonresident general season elk tag as a second tag as long as nonresident elk tags available.
answered 1/8/2016

Q: Where do I file my roadkill salvage permit once it's printed and signed?

I filled out a roadkill report and received my permit. Now what do I do with it?

A: 

If you filled out your report using our online reporting tool and checked the box indicating you were salvaging the animal, then the information you have entered goes directly into our database.  You do not need to take any further action.  It's that simple! 
answered 1/7/2016

Q: "Perch Control "Lost Valley Reservior

When using pesticides to control the perch at lost valley Reservior? Do the trout previously stocked die as well?

A: 

Yes, rotenone kills the rainbow trout in the treated water - and all other fish (perch, brook trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, etc.). Rotenone is an odorless, colorless organic compound extracted from the roots of a native legume known as a Jicama vine found in South America.  Before being refined and used in the United States for fish management purposes, it was used by native tribal members to kill fish for food purposes. Rotenone will kill all animals that use gills to take oxygen from the water.  This includes all fish, aquatic insects and amphibians.  It disrupts the exchange of oxygen across the gill membrane, at the cellular level, and essentially suffocates the aquatic organism. For the purpose of fish management in the U.S., rotenone powder is dissolved in a petroleum carrier that has a strong odor and turns white when it contacts water.  This is so we can tell where it's applied and whether it is mixing throughout the water column.  Rotenone and the carrier agent can only be applied at a maximum rate of 4 parts per million for fish management purposes and rapidly breaks down - depending on water temperatures and organic material.  Usually, fish can once again survive in a water 2 weeks, post treatment.    
answered 1/7/2016

Q: can you use a muzzleloader as a shotgun for upland game birds like grouse and quail

So I was wondering if you could use a muzzleloader with small shot (size 8-6 lead shot) for hunting grouse and quail during the end of the hunting season for them?

A: 

In Idaho, upland game birds (except forest grouse) may be taken with a firearm as long as the firearm is classified as a shotgun.  This can be found on page 18 of the 2014-2015 Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey regulations.  18 USC 921 states: The term “shotgun” means a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder and designed or redesigned and made or remade to use the energy of an explosive to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shot or a single projectile for each single pull of the trigger. This means that only smooth bore shoulder fired firearms are legal for the taking of upland game birds (except forest grouse).  If a firearms contains a rifled barrel, this firearm is not classified as a shotgun and would be illegal for the taking of upland game birds (except forest grouse) regardless of the projectile(s) fired. A smooth bore muzzleloader would be legal in this instance. The same is also true of handguns chambered in calibers such as .45 long colt.  Although this firearm is capable of firing .410 shot shells, the barrel is rifled.  Federal law requires all barrels under 18 inches in length to contain rifled bores.  This firearm would not be classified as a shotgun and would be illegal for taking upland game birds (except forest grouse).
answered 1/6/2016

Q: When will the results of the bonus point survey be released?

The bonus point survey concluded in early November and results were meant to be discussed at the November 19th meeting, I do not see the minutes of that meeting posted nor do I see the survey results are posted on the IDFG website. In today's digital world it surely cannot take a full two months to tally the results on an online poll, can it?

A: 

The results of the Hunters Survey are posted on the Fish and Game website. You will find the link on the website homepage at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ The Fish and Game Commission will approve the minutes from the November meeting at the Commission's meeting later this month.  Once approved, the minutes will be posted on the website.  
answered 1/5/2016

Q: In Idaho, are you allowed to have a small light on your compound bow sight?

I am new to bow hunting and was just wondering. If you could please answer this that would be much obliged. Thank you.

A: 

On page 98 of the Big Game Seasons and Rules it expains archery rules. You cannot have anything electronic attached to a bow, arrow, or bolt.
answered 1/5/2016

Q: Scoring a big game animal several years after harvest

Can a legally taken big game animal be measured for the state record several years after the hunt? I harvested a pronghorn in 2013 that may qualify for the state entry.

A: 

Yes.  For more information on scoring and the requirements for entering your antelope into the Idaho records, visit Fish and Game’s website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/lookupBgRecords.cfm.  
answered 1/4/2016

Q: What is the reason for rasing the length limit on bass to 14" in the southeast region?

Why did Fish and Game increase the length limit on bass in the southeast region from 12" to 14"?

A: 

Greetings, Thanks for asking about the bass rule change. We have been surveying the largemouth bass populations in the region for many years. Most of the largemouth bass fisheries in this region experience overabundance, which leads to stunted, very slow growing populations. Some of the 10-12 inch bass we have collected from the Franklin County reservoirs are 7 and 8 years old. Stunting in the bass population also negatively impacts the bluegill and perch fisheries. Our goal is to improve angler satisfaction by increasing the size of bluegill, perch, and bass they catch. The right bass population is key to managing bluegill and perch populations. In general, we need more, larger bass to thin out overpopulated bass, perch and bluegill. The change to 14 inches does that. This link provides a report where we completed an experiment on Johnson Reservoir to see how more larger bass would benefit the bluegill fishery. https://collaboration.idfg.idaho.gov/FisheriesTechnicalReports/MGT2013%20Region%205%20Southeast%20Annual%20Report.pdf Smallmouth bass fisheries are very different. For example, a successful management rule for smallmouth bass on the Snake River from American Falls Dam to the Minidoka Refuge has been no size restriction on harvest coupled with a two fish limit. If you would like to discuss bass management in more detail, please call me at 208-232-4703.
answered 1/4/2016

Q: What steps can I take when I find public land marked as private?

Over the last few years I have come across a few spots that are marked private when in fact they are not private. Even got chased out of a spot that I knew was blm land?

A: 

If you come across public land that has been posted with no trespassing signs, please contact the government agency who administers the property.  This could be the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service or any other land management agency.
answered 1/3/2016

Q: Lost Valley Reservoir Perch Problem

Why does Fish and Game Continue to spend the time and resources on the invasive perch problem at Lost Valley Reservoir? Wouldn't it be more productive at this point to try a different tactic? They have been trying to drain and poison it for far to long with the same results. There used to be a few wild trout upstream but in the last few years I have not seen anything at all. I suggest at this point,and I am sure many others would agree, that a few tiger muskie (being a sterile fish and unable to repopulate), may be more productive. The muskie would thin out the perch,making them grow larger and thus taking the misfortune of this unwanted fish due to its over population and being illegally planted to begin with,and making something good of it. The trout would then in turn have a chance to thrive as well. Is there a chance Fish And Game would consider this?

A: 

Thanks for your inquiry. IDFG has never drained Lost Valley Reservoir; we have worked with the Irrigation Company on years that water use was high and the resulting reservoir carryover was going to be small, to use that opportunity to apply a piscicide to try and remove the yellow perch. It is a frustrating situation with the reservoir and the yellow perch population. We have looked at using the Tiger Muskie as a control method and have chosen not to do so. A "few" tiger muskie would not impact the population size or individual size of the yellow perch. With the water volume change that the reservoir undergoes annually, due to delivery of irrigation releases, any species placed in the reservoir is also going to be released. Releasing a new fish species in any drainage is something we are very thoughtful about.  Although Tiger Muskies are sterile, they are also long lived, prefer soft rayed fish over spinney rayed fish species, and can persist for a long time on a starvation diet. These Tiger Muskie attributes have been learned over that past decade or so and lead to a more cautious approach as to where this species is introduced. Likely what you are seeing upsteam of the reservoir is that the sterile rainbow trout that are used now in the state do not migrate very much and are not using the inlet stream. There are still brookies present in those streams. What we are now doing is using a larger stocked trout at 12 inches versus the 10 inch stocked trout of the past. These larger trout return well to the angler and hopefully will satisfy anglers even when we have yellow perch around. We will likely use piscicides when yellow perch levels become overwhelming.
answered 1/1/2016

Q: Junior three year licenses

Is a junior three year combination license that is bought right before an individual turns eighteen valid after the individual turns eighteen?

A: 

The 3-year junior license would still be valid after the junior turns 18.   However, he (or she) would not be able to participate in any hunt that is designated youth only.
answered 1/1/2016

Q: Trespass Law

Can you please go into detail on how to tell if land is enclosed. For instance there are many 3-4 strand barbwire fences that run through public land and then into private, what type of fences would deem land to be enclosed?

A: 

I assume by enclosed you are refering to closed off for public access or trespass. Fence locations or type of fencing really has nothing to do with idaho trespass law.  The law states: No person may enter private land to hunt, fish or trap without permission if the land is: Cultivated OR posted with no trespassing  or similar signage every 660 feet or at all reasonable access points OR posted with 100 square inches of high visibility orange paint every 660 feet or all reasonable access points OR posted with high visibility orange paint on the top 18 inches of a metal fence post every 660 feet or all reasonable access points OR posted with signs where a public road enters and leaves property through or along which the public has a right-of-way I suggest you read the full statute which can be found on page 96 of the 2015 & 2016 big game seasons and rules booklet.  
answered 12/29/2015

A: 

Hunting without a proper license and hunting without a proper tag are misdemeanor violations in Idaho.  Idaho Code 36-1402 states that penalty for a misdemeanor violation is a fine of $25 to $1000, up to six months in jail, and up to three years of license revocation.
answered 12/28/2015

Q: Do I still need to go through hunters ed to purchase a non game license?

I dont have a hunting license yet, and don't want to get one until I return from army basic, do I still need to go through hunters ed to purchase a non game license to hunt coyotes and jackrabbit?

A: 

If you were born after January 1, 1975, yes you will need to complete hunters education prior to purchasing a nongame hunting license. Here is the Idaho Law regarding hunters education. Idaho Code 36-411.  Certificate of completion. (a) Hunter education.  No hunting license shall be issued to a person born after January 1, 1975, unless the person has previously held a valid hunting license in this or another state or unless such person presents to the department of fish and game or one of its authorized license vendors, a certificate of completion in hunter education issued by the department under the hunter education program or proof that he holds the equivalent of such a certificate obtained either in Idaho or from an authorized agency or association of another state or country.
answered 12/27/2015