Waterfowl
When and where to hunt scaup in Idaho, 2026-27
2026-27 scaup dates in Idaho (scaup on October 3, 2026), the daily bag, the license and the IDFG brochure lines.
Photo: mark6mauno (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Quick read on Idaho scaup
The first scaup opener still ahead or running in the 2026-27 rows is scaup on October 3, 2026, and the last scaup day printed is January 31, 2027. For the scaup bag, the brochure line runs: 7 (2 hen mallard, 2 redhead, 3 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 scaup); possession 3x. The scaup rows follow the migratory brochure areas, which IDFG describes county by county.
From Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Scaup dates by area
| Duck area | Defined as | Scaup dates |
|---|---|---|
| Area 1 | All parts of the state not in Areas 2 and 3 |
|
| Area 2 | Bear Lake, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, Teton, Valley; Blackfoot Reservoir drainage of Bingham; part of Caribou |
|
| Area 3 | Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Shoshone |
|
From duck areas (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Every 2026-27 scaup season row
One line per printed scaup window, earliest first.
| Hunt | Area | How issued | Dates | Limit | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scaup | Area 2 | – | Oct 3–Dec 27, 2026 | 2 daily | |
| Scaup | Area 3 | – |
| 2 daily | |
| Scaup | Area 1 | – |
| 2 daily |
From Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Counties reached by the scaup rows
Here is every county the scaup rows reach, with the IDFG region and clock zone.
| County page | Season rows | Units in the county | Region | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bingham | 2 | – | Southeast | MT |
| Caribou | 2 | – | Southeast | MT |
| Ada | 1 | – | Southwest | MT |
| Adams | 1 | – | Southwest | MT |
| Bannock | 1 | – | Southeast | MT |
| Bear Lake | 1 | – | Southeast | MT |
| Benewah | 1 | – | Panhandle | PT |
| Blaine | 1 | – | Magic Valley | MT |
| Boise | 1 | – | Southwest | MT |
| Bonner | 1 | – | Panhandle | PT |
| Bonneville | 1 | – | Upper Snake | MT |
| Boundary | 1 | – | Panhandle | PT |
| Butte | 1 | – | Upper Snake | MT |
| Camas | 1 | – | Magic Valley | MT |
| Canyon | 1 | – | Southwest | MT |
| Cassia | 1 | – | Magic Valley | MT |
| Clark | 1 | – | Upper Snake | MT |
| Clearwater | 1 | – | Clearwater | PT |
| Custer | 1 | – | Salmon | MT |
| Elmore | 1 | – | Southwest | MT |
| Franklin | 1 | – | Southeast | MT |
| Fremont | 1 | – | Upper Snake | MT |
| Gem | 1 | – | Southwest | MT |
| Gooding | 1 | – | Magic Valley | MT |
| Idaho | 1 | – | Clearwater | PT/MT |
| Jefferson | 1 | – | Upper Snake | MT |
| Jerome | 1 | – | Magic Valley | MT |
| Kootenai | 1 | – | Panhandle | PT |
| Latah | 1 | – | Clearwater | PT |
| Lemhi | 1 | – | Salmon | MT |
| Lewis | 1 | – | Clearwater | PT |
| Lincoln | 1 | – | Magic Valley | MT |
| Madison | 1 | – | Upper Snake | MT |
| Minidoka | 1 | – | Magic Valley | MT |
| Nez Perce | 1 | – | Clearwater | PT |
| Oneida | 1 | – | Southeast | MT |
| Owyhee | 1 | – | Southwest | MT |
| Payette | 1 | – | Southwest | MT |
| Power | 1 | – | Southeast | MT |
| Shoshone | 1 | – | Panhandle | PT |
| Teton | 1 | – | Upper Snake | MT |
| Twin Falls | 1 | – | Magic Valley | MT |
| Valley | 1 | – | Southwest | MT |
| Washington | 1 | – | Southwest | MT |
From Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
How many scaup you may take in Idaho
The table copies the scaup limit lines from the brochures and the row bags beside them.
| Which limit | Bag |
|---|---|
| Ducks | 7 (2 hen mallard, 2 redhead, 3 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 scaup); possession 3x |
| Bag line | 2 daily |
From bag limit (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Licenses and fees for scaup
Idaho fees for scaup; 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) |
| Small game hunting license | Nonresident | $141.75 (as of Dec. 1, 2024) |
| 3-day small game license | Nonresident | $71.75 (as of Dec. 1, 2024) |
| Migratory bird (HIP) permit | Resident | $2.75 ($1.75 Price Lock) |
| Migratory bird (HIP) permit | Nonresident | $5.00 (as of Dec. 1, 2024) |
IDFG license rule as it applies to scaup: 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 scaup: the rules
A short list for scaup, each line with its source.
| Subject | What it says |
|---|---|
| Shooting hours | Scaup hunters: official shooting hours table for the 2026-2027 migratory game bird seasons (except crows) by county group (brochure pages 15-17). |
| Shot | Scaup hunters: nontoxic shot required for all waterfowl. |
| Baiting | Scaup hunters: state and federal baiting rules for migratory game birds (brochure page 18). |
| Youth and veterans | Scaup hunters: youth-only controlled deer, elk, pronghorn and bear hunts; pheasant youth season October 8-14, 2026; youth/veterans waterfowl weekend September 26-27, 2026; youth spring turkey April 8-14. |
| Taking wildlife | Scaup hunters: taking game animals, birds or furbearers is unlawful except as provided by law, rule or proclamation. |
| Lifetime licenses | Scaup hunters: individuals must be an Idaho resident for at least 5 years to buy any lifetime certificate (from July 1, 2026). |
From Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure p. 15, Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure p. 25, Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 brochure p. 18, Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 115, Idaho Code 36-1101 and Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 7 (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Public places for scaup
The land list for scaup uses IDFG WMA pages, refuge rules and Access Yes! flags.
Flat Top Sheep Co. (Access Yes!): waterfowl opportunity (Access Yes! flags).
Flagged for migratory game bird: Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge (50 CFR 32.31).
C.J. Strike Wildlife Management Area is flagged for waterfowl (IDFG WMA page).
Camas National Wildlife Refuge: migratory game bird opportunity (50 CFR 32.31).
Flagged for waterfowl: Coeur d' Alene River Wildlife Management Area (IDFG WMA page).
Rinker Rock Creek Ranch (Access Yes!) is flagged for waterfowl (Access Yes! flags).
From Flat Top Sheep Co. (Access Yes!), Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge and C.J. Strike Wildlife Management Area (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Gear for a Idaho scaup hunt
Four items that cover an Idaho year, from August archery elk to January chukar.
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Northern pintails in flightPhoto: USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0)
Male wood duckPhoto: Frank.Vassen (CC BY 2.0)
Wood duck drake on still waterPhoto: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain)
Scaup FAQ
Which hours table applies to scaup?
Scaup follow the official IDFG table on pages 15 to 17 of the migratory brochure, set by county group; this page does not recalculate it.
Is blaze orange required for Idaho scaup hunters?
Scaup: 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.
What shot can I use on scaup?
For scaup: nontoxic shot required for all waterfowl.
What baiting rules cover scaup?
For scaup: state and federal baiting rules for migratory game birds (brochure page 18).
What scouting technology rules apply to scaup?
For scaup: new restrictions on technology for hunting or scouting big game and game birds August 30-December 31 (not wolves, lions or predators).
How long is the Idaho scaup season?
Scaup can be hunted between October 3, 2026 and January 31, 2027, depending on the row. Scaup: October 3, 2026. One or more scaup windows are running on November 12, 2026.
How many scaup can I take in Idaho?
For scaup, the brochure line reads: 7 (2 hen mallard, 2 redhead, 3 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 scaup); possession 3x; 2 daily.
What does it cost to hunt scaup in Idaho?
Hunting scaup takes a hunting license plus the migratory bird (HIP) permit ($2.75 resident).
Are scaup open statewide in Idaho?
The scaup rows name Area 1, Area 2 and Area 3. Closed state parks are off limits for scaup.