Idaho Code Title 36 and the IDFG brochures
Idaho Hunting Laws
What Idaho law and the 2026 brochures say about game, furbearers and protected wildlife, weapons in archery, muzzleloader and bird seasons, highways, trespass and Ask First, bear bait and dump grounds, the Motorized Hunting Rule, the new limits on technology, hunter orange, tribal land and CWD carcass transport, and the fines, damages and license revocation behind them: 8 method rules and 6 penalty rows.
Photo: Bureau of Land Management Idaho (CC BY 2.0)
What counts as game from the Panhandle to the Owyhee
The big game brochure covers deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, mountain lion and gray wolf, and a separate two-year brochure covers moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat. Upland birds include three forest grouse, two quails, chukar, gray partridge, sharp-tailed grouse, sage-grouse, pheasant and wild turkey; cottontail, snowshoe hare and red squirrel are the upland game animals.
| Group | Species | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Big game | mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, black bear, mountain lion, gray wolf | Big game brochure covers deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, mountain lion and gray wolf; moose, sheep and goat in a separate brochure. |
| Upland game birds | dusky grouse, ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, California quail, bobwhite quail, chukar, gray partridge, sharp-tailed grouse, sage-grouse, pheasant, wild turkey | |
| Upland game animals | cottontail, snowshoe hare, red squirrel | |
| Furbearers | badger, beaver, bobcat, red fox, marten, mink, muskrat, river otter | |
| Migratory game birds | ducks, geese, swan, snipe, coot, doves, sandhill crane, American crow |
Sources: Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 16; Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 31; Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 5; Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure p. 1; Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 7. Data read November 11, 2026; checked: rows compared with the source November 12, 2026.
Idaho Animals with no season, item by item
Hen pheasants, pygmy rabbits, Gambel's and mountain quail and sows with cubs have no season, and the grizzly bear appears in the bear tables only as a caution and in the damage schedule of Idaho Code 36-1404. Canada lynx is a threatened species, so bobcat hunters must be sure of their target.
Gambel's quail and mountain quail
No season.
Pygmy rabbit
Season closed.
Hen pheasant
No season on hen (female) pheasants.
Canada lynx
Threatened species; be sure of target when hunting bobcat.
Female black bear with young
May not be taken.
Hawks, owls, eagles
Protected (general rules).
Grizzly bear
Caution areas in bear tables; bear identification test required; grizzly is listed with reimbursable damages in Idaho Code 36-1404.
Sources: Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 11; Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 16; Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 39; Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 45; Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 7; Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 69; Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 71. Data read November 11, 2026; checked: rows compared with the source November 12, 2026.
Idaho weapon rules by season, set out plainly
Archery-only and muzzleloader-only seasons need the matching permit on the license. For swans, doves and cranes the shotgun may hold no more than three shells, and every waterfowl hunter shoots nontoxic shot.
| Season or game | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Archery only | Archery permit validation required in any archery-only season. |
| Muzzleloader only | Muzzleloader permit validation required. |
| Swan, dove, crane | Shotgun holding no more than 3 shells; shot no larger than size T (0.2 in). |
| Waterfowl | Nontoxic shot required for all waterfowl. |
Sources: Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure p. 12; Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure p. 25; Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 11. Data read November 11, 2026; checked: rows compared with the source November 12, 2026.
Method rules in the IDFG brochures
Idaho Code 36-1101 makes any taking unlawful unless a law, rule or proclamation allows it. The Motorized Hunting Rule now runs from August 30 to November 14 in its listed units, after Units 30, 30A, 36A, 37, 47, 49, 70 and 72 were taken off the list.
- Shooting hours (big game)One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
- Highway rights-of-wayNo discharge of a firearm from or across a public highway.
- TrespassEntering private land to hunt, retrieve wildlife, fish or trap requires permission (Idaho Code 36-1603 and 18-7008).
- Bear baitBait only under the brochure conditions; no salt.
- Dump groundsNo hunting or pursuing black bears within 200 yards of a designated dump ground or landfill.
- Motorized Hunting RuleApplies in listed units August 30-November 14.
- Technology restrictionsRestrictions on technology for hunting or scouting big game and game birds August 30-December 31.
- Taking unlawful except as providedTaking game animals, birds or furbearers is unlawful except as provided by law, rule or proclamation.
Sources: Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 107; Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 108; Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 69; Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 7; Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 96; Idaho Code 36-1101; Idaho Code 36-1603. Data read November 11, 2026; checked: rows compared with the source November 12, 2026.
Idaho rules on clothing, bait and vehicles
Idaho recommends hunter orange but requires it only in two situations, both tied to pheasants and sponsored hunts. Bait is lawful only for black bears under a bait permit, and migratory birds follow the state and federal baiting rules.
Hunter orange
Hunter orange is recommended, required only while hunting pheasants where the Upland Game Bird Permit is required (including IDFG properties and leases) and on sponsored hunts such as organized youth hunts; minimum 36 square inches above the waist.
Black bear bait
Bait may be used for black bear only under the brochure conditions (bait permit; no game animal, game bird, game fish or protected nongame parts; skin removed; no salt).
Migratory bird baiting
State and federal baiting rules for migratory game birds.
Technology limits
New restrictions on technology for hunting or scouting big game and game birds August 30-December 31 (not wolves, lions or predators).
Motorized Hunting Rule
Motorized Hunting Rule now ends November 14 (was December 31); Units 30, 30A, 36A, 37, 47, 49, 70 and 72 removed.
Ask First
Written or other lawful permission required to enter private land (Ask First).
Tribal land
Reservation and tribal trust land is closed to non-member hunting except under tribal authority and tribal permits (18 U.S.C. 1165).
Carcasses from CWD units
Unlawful to transport any deer, elk or moose (including salvaged animals) out of Units 14, 18 and the Unit 1 portion, with exceptions for meat and some parts.
Sources: IDFG page; Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 69; Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure p. 18; Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 7; 18 U.S.C. 1165; Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 9. Data read November 11, 2026; checked: rows compared with the source November 12, 2026.
Idaho penalties and damages, set out plainly
An infraction carries a fixed fine and a misdemeanor up to six months in jail, with minimum fines per animal from $200 for most big game to $500 for a bighorn, goat or moose. On top of the fine, Idaho Code 36-1404 sets reimbursable damages per animal, from $750 for an elk to $10,000 for a trophy bighorn, moose or mountain goat.
| Offense or rule | Penalty | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Infraction | Fine of $72 (some listed infractions $250). | Idaho Code 36-1402(a)-(b) |
| Misdemeanor | $25-$1,000 and/or up to 6 months jail; minimum fines per animal: bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose $500; elk $300; other big game $200; wild turkey and swan $200. | Idaho Code 36-1402(c) |
| Felony | Punished under Idaho Code 18-112; lifetime revocation for 3+ felony violations within 5 years. | Idaho Code 36-1402(d) |
| License revocation | Up to 3 years for violations (longer for felonies and flagrant violations). | Idaho Code 36-1402(e) |
| Reimbursable damages | Elk $750; caribou, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, grizzly bear and moose $1,500; other big game $400; wild turkey and swan $250; other game birds and furbearers $50; doubles for each additional animal in 12 months. | Idaho Code 36-1404(a) |
| Trophy damages | Trophy mule deer, white-tailed deer and pronghorn $2,000; trophy elk $5,000; trophy bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goat, caribou and grizzly $10,000. | Idaho Code 36-1404(a) |
Sources: Idaho Code 36-1402; Idaho Code 36-1404. Data read November 11, 2026; checked: rows compared with the source November 12, 2026.
Idaho hunting law questions
Are trail cameras and other scouting technology limited in Idaho?
New restrictions on technology for hunting or scouting big game and game birds August 30-December 31 (not wolves, lions or predators).
Can I shoot a female black bear with cubs in Idaho?
May not be taken. Females with young protected; second bear tags in listed units; bait with permit; hound seasons by unit.
Do adult hunters have to wear orange in Idaho?
Hunter orange is recommended, required only while hunting pheasants where the Upland Game Bird Permit is required (including IDFG properties and leases) and on sponsored hunts such as organized youth hunts; minimum 36 square inches above the waist.
Can I shoot across a highway in Idaho?
No discharge of a firearm from or across a public highway.
May Idaho bear hunters hunt over bait?
Bait may be used for black bear only under the brochure conditions (bait permit; no game animal, game bird, game fish or protected nongame parts; skin removed; no salt).
How close to a landfill can I hunt bears in Idaho?
No hunting or pursuing black bears within 200 yards of a designated dump ground or landfill.
When does the Idaho Motorized Hunting Rule apply?
Applies in listed units August 30-November 14. Motorized Hunting Rule now ends November 14 (was December 31); Units 30, 30A, 36A, 37, 47, 49, 70 and 72 removed.
Do I need permission to hunt private land in Idaho?
Entering private land to hunt, retrieve wildlife, fish or trap requires permission (Idaho Code 36-1603 and 18-7008).
What happens if I poach a trophy elk in Idaho?
$25-$1,000 and/or up to 6 months jail; minimum fines per animal: bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose $500; elk $300; other big game $200; wild turkey and swan $200. Trophy mule deer, white-tailed deer and pronghorn $2,000; trophy elk $5,000; trophy bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goat, caribou and grizzly $10,000.
Can Idaho take away my hunting license?
Up to 3 years for violations (longer for felonies and flagrant violations). Punished under Idaho Code 18-112; lifetime revocation for 3+ felony violations within 5 years.
Read the IDFG brochures
Phone signal fades quickly in the Selway backcountry and the Owyhee canyons, so save the brochure PDFs before leaving town.
Other photos on this page: Bureau of Land Management – Utah (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); daveynin (CC BY 2.0).