Furbearer
When and where to trap badgers in Idaho, 2026-27
2026-27 badger dates in Idaho (trapping and hunting on July 1, 2026), the daily bag, the license and the IDFG brochure lines.
Photo: cifraser1 (CC BY 2.0)
Quick read on Idaho badgers
The first badger opener still ahead or running in the 2026-27 rows is trapping and hunting on July 1, 2026, and the last badger day printed is June 30, 2027. For the badger bag, the brochure line runs: no bag limit stated.
From Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer 2026 & 2027 brochure (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Trapping badgers region by region
| Row | Regions | Dates | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trapping and hunting | Statewide (all 7 regions) |
| No bag limit stated |
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trapping license, resident | $29.75 ($26.75 Price Lock); Expires June 30 |
| Notes | Region exceptions close some drainages and WMAs (brochure pages 31-33). |
| Regions | Panhandle, Clearwater, Southwest, Magic Valley, Southeast, Upper Snake and Salmon |
From furbearer seasons and trapping license fee (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Every 2026-27 badger season row
One line per printed badger window, earliest first.
| Hunt | Area | How issued | Dates | Limit | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trapping and hunting | Statewide | Trapping |
| No bag limit stated |
From Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer 2026 & 2027 brochure (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
How many badgers you may take in Idaho
The table copies the badger limit lines from the brochures and the row bags beside them.
| Which limit | Bag |
|---|---|
| Bag line | No bag limit stated |
From species row source (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
What it costs to hunt badgers
Idaho fees for badgers; licenses and tags run on the calendar year, the trapping license to June 30.
| Item | Residency | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting license | Resident | $15.75 ($12.75 Price Lock) |
| Hunting license | Nonresident | $185.00 (as of Dec. 1, 2024) |
| Junior hunting license | Resident | $8.25 ($7.25 Price Lock) |
| Combination hunting & fishing | Resident | $38.75 ($33.50 Price Lock) |
| Combination hunting & fishing | Nonresident | $264.00 (as of Dec. 1, 2024) |
| Sportsman's Package | Resident | $144.60 ($124.25 Price Lock) |
| Trapping license | Resident | $29.75 ($26.75 Price Lock) |
IDFG license rule as it applies to badgers: A hunting license is required to hunt (including predatory and unprotected wildlife); a trapping license to trap gray wolf; a tag for every big game species.
From license and tag fees, nonresident fees and license requirements (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Before you hunt badgers: the rules
A short list for badgers, each line with its source.
| Subject | What it says |
|---|---|
| License | Badger hunters: a hunting license is required to hunt (including predatory and unprotected wildlife); a trapping license to trap gray wolf; a tag for every big game species. |
| Taking wildlife | Badger hunters: taking game animals, birds or furbearers is unlawful except as provided by law, rule or proclamation. |
| Lifetime licenses | Badger hunters: individuals must be an Idaho resident for at least 5 years to buy any lifetime certificate (from July 1, 2026). |
From Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 7 and Idaho Code 36-1101 (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Badger country on public land
The land list for badgers uses IDFG WMA pages, refuge rules and Access Yes! flags.
Henry's Fork North of Chester Wetlands (Access Yes!): trapping opportunity (Access Yes! flags).
Flagged for trapping: Little Fish Creek Grazing Assoc. (Access Yes!) (Access Yes! flags).
Janss Farms (Access Yes!) is flagged for trapping (Access Yes! flags).
Fogg Butte / Split Butte / Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area (Access Yes!): trapping opportunity (Access Yes! flags).
Flagged for trapping: A L Cattle – Shirts Creek (Access Yes!) (Access Yes! flags).
Maclaic Corporation (Access Yes!) is flagged for trapping (Access Yes! flags).
From Henry's Fork North of Chester Wetlands (Access Yes!) (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Gear for a Idaho badger hunt
Four items that cover an Idaho year, from August archery elk to January chukar.
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An American badger lying in snowPhoto: Bureau of Land Management Idaho (CC BY 2.0)
A white horse in green pasture near Preston with mountains behindPhoto: Ken Lund (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The wide Sawtooth Valley with meadows, forest and distant peaksPhoto: Acroterion (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Badger FAQ
What is the daily limit on badgers in Idaho?
For badgers, the brochure line reads: No bag limit stated.
What license do I need for badgers in Idaho?
Trapping badgers takes the Idaho trapping license ($29.75 resident, $26.75 with Price Lock; it expires June 30).
Which parts of Idaho allow badger hunting?
The badger rows name Statewide (all 7 regions). Closed state parks are off limits for badgers.
What are the trespass rules for badger trappers?
For badger trappers: entering private land to hunt, retrieve wildlife, fish or trap requires permission (Idaho Code 36-1603 and 18-7008); written or other lawful permission required to enter private land (Ask First).
Must badger trappers register on a WMA?
30 IDFG wildlife management areas post trapping text on their pages. For example, Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area: "Trapping is limited to two trappers per year. Trappers must contact the Southwest Regional Office, 208-232-4703, on or after July 1 to register for the following season. Trappers will be required to report harvest at the end of the season." Read the WMA page before setting badger traps there.
Is Access Yes! ground open to badger trappers?
38 Access Yes! properties carry the trapping flag in the IDFG Access Yes! layer, such as A L Cattle – Dodson Pass (Access Yes!), A L Cattle – Shirts Creek (Access Yes!) and Arbon – Southwest Bench (Access Yes!); each keeps its own dates and restrictions.
Is blaze orange required for Idaho badger hunters?
Badgers: orange is advised, not required, and the policy reads: 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.
Which regions are open for badgers?
Badgers: statewide (all 7 regions); region exceptions close some drainages and WMAs (brochure pages 31-33). Look up your region before trapping badgers.
How long is the Idaho badger season?
Badgers can be hunted between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027, depending on the row. Trapping and hunting: July 1, 2026. One or more badger windows are running on November 12, 2026.