No season
Canada Lynx in Idaho, status and law
Canada lynx in Idaho: protected status, the IDFG brochure source and the look-alike season to know.
Photo: Sam Beebe (CC BY 2.0)
No open season for Canada lynx
Idaho gives Canada lynx no season for 2026-27. The IDFG entry is below, with the brochure page it comes from.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Status | No season |
| IDFG entry | Threatened species; be sure of target when hunting bobcat. |
| Printed in | Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 39 |
| Bobcat row | Trapping and hunting, 12/14/26–2/16/27 |
From Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 39 (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Hunting bobcats in lynx country
Here are the bobcat rows that come closest to Canada lynx in habitat or appearance.
| Season | Area | Tag | Dates | Bag | 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.
Fines tied to Canada lynx
Taking Canada lynx falls under Idaho Code 36-1101, with penalties in 36-1402 and damages in 36-1404; these are the lines.
| Topic | Statute | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Taking wildlife | Idaho Code 36-1101 | Taking game animals, birds or furbearers is unlawful except as provided by law, rule or proclamation. |
| Infraction | Idaho Code 36-1402(a)-(b) | Fine of $72 (some listed infractions $250). |
| Misdemeanor | Idaho Code 36-1402(c) | $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. |
| Felony | Idaho Code 36-1402(d) | Punished under Idaho Code 18-112; lifetime revocation for 3+ felony violations within 5 years. |
| License revocation | Idaho Code 36-1402(e) | Up to 3 years for violations (longer for felonies and flagrant violations). |
| Reimbursable damages | Idaho Code 36-1404(a) | 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. |
| Trophy damages | Idaho Code 36-1404(a) | 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. |
From Idaho Code 36-1402, Idaho Code 36-1404 and Idaho Code 36-1101 (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Protected species next to Canada lynx
Seven entries, seven brochure lines; the one for Canada lynx is marked.
| Species | IDFG line | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gambel's and Mountain Quail | No season. | Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 7 |
| Pygmy Rabbit | Season closed. | Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 16 |
| Hen Pheasant | No season on hen (female) pheasants. | Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 11 |
| Canada Lynx | Threatened species; be sure of target when hunting bobcat. | Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 39 |
| Female Black Bears with Young | May not be taken. | Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 69 |
| Hawks, Owls and Eagles | Protected (general rules). | Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer brochure p. 45 |
| Grizzly Bear | Caution areas in bear tables; bear identification test required; grizzly is listed with reimbursable damages in Idaho Code 36-1404. | Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 71 |
Idaho legal groups next to Canada lynx
Idaho's big game, upland, furbearer and migratory groups, set against Canada lynx.
| Group | Members |
|---|---|
| Big game |
|
| Upland game birds |
|
| Upland game animals |
|
| Furbearers |
|
| Migratory game birds |
|
From Big game, Upland game birds, Upland game animals, Furbearers and Migratory game birds (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Canada Lynx: lands open for bobcats
Public land in bobcat country, where knowing Canada lynx on sight matters most.
Flagged for furbearers: PotlatchDeltic (Large Tracts) (IDFG brochure).
Furbearers listed at North Idaho Timber Group (Large Tracts) (IDFG brochure).
Hugas Creek & St. Joe River Basin (Access Yes!) carries the trapping flag in the Access Yes! flags.
Flagged for trapping: East Idaho Grazing Association (Access Yes!) (Access Yes! flags).
Trapping listed at Mica Creek Drainage on St. Joe River (Access Yes!) (Access Yes! flags).
Faulkner Land & Livestock (Access Yes!) carries the trapping flag in the Access Yes! flags.
From PotlatchDeltic (Large Tracts) and Hugas Creek & St. Joe River Basin (Access Yes!) (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Purple larkspur on a rocky slope in the White Knob Mountains Wilderness Study AreaPhoto: Bureau of Land Management Idaho (CC BY 2.0)
Lupine and balsamroot in bloom at sunset west of Lemhi PassPhoto: Bureau of Land Management Idaho (CC BY 2.0)
Snow patches and lakes among the White Cloud PeaksPhoto: Roy Luck (CC BY 2.0)
Canada Lynx questions
Is lynx a threatened species in Idaho?
For Canada lynx: "Threatened species; be sure of target when hunting bobcat." The bobcat row runs December 14, 2026 to February 16, 2027.
Which animals are game in Idaho, unlike Canada lynx?
Big game: mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, pronghorn and moose; Upland game birds: dusky grouse, ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, California quail and bobwhite quail; Upland game animals: cottontail, snowshoe hare and red squirrel; Furbearers: badger, beaver, bobcat, red fox and marten; Migratory game birds: ducks, geese, swan, snipe and coot.
At what birth date is hunter education required?
Canada lynx change nothing about the course rule: no hunting license may be issued to a person born after January 1, 1975, unless they previously held a hunting license in Idaho or another state or show a hunter education certificate (Idaho Code 36-411); Hunting Passport (8+ junior or adult) lets a person hunt without hunter education when accompanied by an adult license holder within normal conversation range; mentors may not accompany more than two mentored hunters.
Do I need permission to cross private land where Canada lynx live?
Where Canada lynx occur: 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).
What is the Idaho status of Canada lynx?
Canada lynx have no Idaho season, and the IDFG entry reads: threatened species; be sure of target when hunting bobcat.
What lawful quarry is closest to Canada lynx?
Bobcat: 1 row, December 14, 2026 to February 16, 2027. Canada lynx are never legal, whatever the season.
What is legal to keep next to Canada lynx?
Bobcat bag: No bag limit stated. Canada lynx stay outside every bag.
What law covers taking Canada lynx?
For Canada lynx, Idaho Code 36-1101 applies: taking game animals, birds or furbearers is unlawful except as provided by law, rule or proclamation. Misdemeanor penalties that cover Canada lynx: $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.
What else follows an unlawful lynx kill?
For Canada lynx: 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.