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Waterfowl
When and where to hunt snipe in Idaho, 2026-27
2026-27 snipe dates in Idaho (Wilson's snipe on October 3, 2026), the daily bag, the license and the IDFG brochure lines.
Photo: Stephen Hanafin (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Wilson's Snipe in Idaho at a glance
The first snipe opener still ahead or running in the 2026-27 rows is Wilson's snipe on October 3, 2026, and the last snipe day printed is January 31, 2027. For the snipe bag, the brochure line runs: 8 daily. The snipe 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.
Wilson's Snipe dates by area
| Duck area | Defined as | Wilson's Snipe 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 snipe season row
One line per printed snipe window, earliest first.
| Hunt | Area | How issued | Dates | Limit | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson's snipe | Area 2 | – |
| 8 daily | |
| Wilson's snipe | Area 3 | – |
| 8 daily | |
| Wilson's snipe | Area 1 | – |
| 8 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 snipe rows
Here is every county the snipe 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.
Idaho snipe limits, line by line
The table copies the snipe limit lines from the brochures and the row bags beside them.
| Which limit | Bag |
|---|---|
| Bag line | 8 daily |
From species row source (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
What it costs to hunt snipe
Idaho fees for snipe; 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 snipe: 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.
Wilson's Snipe hunting rules in Idaho
A short list for snipe, each line with its source.
| Subject | What it says |
|---|---|
| Shooting hours | Snipe hunters: official shooting hours table for the 2026-2027 migratory game bird seasons (except crows) by county group (brochure pages 15-17). |
| Shot | Snipe hunters: nontoxic shot required for all waterfowl. |
| Baiting | Snipe hunters: state and federal baiting rules for migratory game birds (brochure page 18). |
| Youth and veterans | Snipe 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. |
| Residency | Snipe hunters: proof of residency is required to buy resident licenses (brochure page 118). |
| Super Hunt | Snipe hunters: Super Hunt drawings for a hunt in any open general or controlled hunt; no license needed to enter. |
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, Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 119 and Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules p. 8 (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); data read November 11, 2026, checked November 12, 2026.
Public places for snipe
The land list for snipe 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.
Carry this in Idaho snipe
Four items that cover an Idaho year, from August archery elk to January chukar.
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A snowy valley and forested slopes at Kootenai National Wildlife RefugePhoto: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Frosted meadow and mountains in winter at Kootenai National Wildlife RefugePhoto: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
A frost-covered tree in a winter field at Kootenai National Wildlife RefugePhoto: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Wilson's Snipe FAQ
How many snipe may one hunter keep in Idaho?
For snipe, the brochure line reads: 8 daily.
Which Idaho license covers snipe hunting?
Hunting snipe takes a hunting license plus the migratory bird (HIP) permit ($2.75 resident).
Are snipe open statewide in Idaho?
The snipe rows name Area 1, Area 2 and Area 3. Closed state parks are off limits for snipe.
Does IDFG print snipe shooting times?
Snipe 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 snipe hunters?
Snipe: 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.
Do Idaho snipe hunters need nontoxic shot?
For snipe: nontoxic shot required for all waterfowl.
What baiting rules cover snipe?
For snipe: state and federal baiting rules for migratory game birds (brochure page 18).
What scouting technology rules apply to snipe?
For snipe: 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 snipe season?
Snipe can be hunted between October 3, 2026 and January 31, 2027, depending on the row. Wilson's snipe: October 3, 2026. One or more snipe windows are running on November 12, 2026.