Who among us hunts in Idaho regularly? Are there many restrictions, aside from caliber size for big game?
Idaho hunter's amongst us, chime in...
- Thread starter Airgun-hobbyist
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Idaho is currently changing many of their regulations. Most of the changes I have seen are about non-resident licenses. They are raising the out of state fees and limiting the number of tags for big game.
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I'm from Md, hunted Idaho this year for Elk. They raised the non-resident Elk tag about 50% for this coming season, along with raising the license fee, and, reducing the number of tags available for non-residents. I've already purchased my Elk tag and license for 2021, but at $900, it was quite steep. But, I do love hunting Idaho, Selway B is where I go in Dixie. Not sure about the regulations and what has changed, guess I'll have to look into it soon though. This is my 3rd time hunting in the last 5 years in Idaho.
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I can see why they are charging more for the licenses. The big game numbers are dwindling down fast due to predator numbers tripling in the past decade.
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I am born and raised and from Pocatello, 4th generation. The predators have had a healthy influence on the elk herds, and you see a lot less disease among them vs to the past. Also though, Idaho knows they can make money off the tourist hunter, plus internally there has been a sharp rise in resident tags. Residents first then non-residents. Also, Idaho I think sees its changes with allowing big bore airguns for hunting large game as a tourist attractor too.
I live overseas now, but I hope to come to Idaho end of the summer for a few weeks and do some hunting / pesting at East Idaho dairy farms owned by my dad’s buddies. There are starlings out there with name on them.
I live overseas now, but I hope to come to Idaho end of the summer for a few weeks and do some hunting / pesting at East Idaho dairy farms owned by my dad’s buddies. There are starlings out there with name on them.
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I’ve been in Idaho the last 15 years and would love to hear about changes to air rifle regulations.
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Idaho Big Game 2020 regulations.
I have went over all the rags as far as hunting that goes, a few times. I guess I was more inquiring about the finer nuances if air rifle use. I did put in a call to Fish and Game today and electronics such as cameras attached to the weapon bow, rifle, etc, are not allowed. So as far as filming goes, it is GoPro and hope for the best.
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From what I saw you CAN film with a GoPro set up for big game, BUT no digital scopes, i.e. ATN stuff with no IR and / or Nightvision technology.
When it comes to hunting with electronics in Idaho it comes very gray lines. You can use a range finder, but you can’t have a range finder integrated into your scope, at least for big game hunting.
I lived in Texas for a while and would hear my buddy talk and about their deer camp set up. I said compared to how they hunt in Idaho you have a video game convenience, i.e. feeders, electronics and etc. If you used that stuff in Idaho and got caught, you are looking at a possible felony.
When it comes to hunting with electronics in Idaho it comes very gray lines. You can use a range finder, but you can’t have a range finder integrated into your scope, at least for big game hunting.
I lived in Texas for a while and would hear my buddy talk and about their deer camp set up. I said compared to how they hunt in Idaho you have a video game convenience, i.e. feeders, electronics and etc. If you used that stuff in Idaho and got caught, you are looking at a possible felony.
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this will be my first year hunting in idaho and will be using my .457 airforce texan. I have a Boise tag. Looking forward to spending some time in my neighboring state and hope to have a successful hunt. I am a washington resident and fill my tags here with archery every year. Pumped up to use my texan!!
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What are the tags for, deer or elk? I have exclusively archery hunted big game until recently. I find that it is a far better and rewarding challenge than snipering out dinner/game at long range. But now that I got into this new airgun hobby I may do some "on-the-hoof grocery shopping" as well. Don't forget to pick up a wolf tag too...
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If u remember right it it was $600 ish for deer. I didn't get the elk tag as this will be my first adventure there but if all goes well I plan on making it an annual hunt! Very excited about lt.
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My buddy said that no only were the fees for non-Idaho residences raised, but the number of non-resident tags reduced. However, if you are going to spend all the money to come to Idaho for a hunt, a couple $100s won’t really matter once you factor in the total cost of the trip.`
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Costs can and do add up in a hurry, especially if it's your first time out of state hunt.
Like blackpaw states " what's a couple 100 more". Memories to last a life time are priceless. Some of my best memories are from two decades of hunting out of state of which 2/3 were in Idaho!
Cheers
Like blackpaw states " what's a couple 100 more". Memories to last a life time are priceless. Some of my best memories are from two decades of hunting out of state of which 2/3 were in Idaho!
Cheers
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I moved to Idaho a couple years ago and just bought a Texan .457. Really looking forward to filling the deer tag with it this year. Has anyone hunted in the short range weapon seasons? Looks like there are even elk and moose hunts with short range weapons. That would be cool.
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Hybrid,
What part of Idaho do you call home. Northern pan handle is peaceful but for hunting I prefer the southeastern part of the state.
What part of Idaho do you call home. Northern pan handle is peaceful but for hunting I prefer the southeastern part of the state.
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I think for hunting in the state depends on what you want to hunt. The biggest mule deers are probably on the Arco desert in the lava flows. The issue with the arco desert is you have to walk it, trucks and atvs , even horse back is useless unless you want be in trouble quick. Also you have to get to know the area first hand and find the watering holes where the deer gather, that takes time.
The arco desert is probably the best hunting “open secret” in Idaho. To hunt this area you have to be a true survivor who knows how to handle themselves in the wild in terrain that is unforgiving as anywhere in the western USA. For non-local residents to hunt this region would have to develop the knowledge over years of first hand effort or be lucky and know a local who knows the area. Most guides I don’t think would guide it because it beats you up hunting there.
If you want to know for fly fishing you have to be an resident of Idaho to go there or know a native. (I keep this secret spot unless I know you personally)
The arco desert is probably the best hunting “open secret” in Idaho. To hunt this area you have to be a true survivor who knows how to handle themselves in the wild in terrain that is unforgiving as anywhere in the western USA. For non-local residents to hunt this region would have to develop the knowledge over years of first hand effort or be lucky and know a local who knows the area. Most guides I don’t think would guide it because it beats you up hunting there.
If you want to know for fly fishing you have to be an resident of Idaho to go there or know a native. (I keep this secret spot unless I know you personally)
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North central Idaho. Tons of whitetail, turkeys, Steelhead, Salmon, Few elk, bear, wolves. We are loving it here. I have hunted with a front stuffer for years but my inline 209 is not legal here. Plus the muzzleloader season is the last season of the year. I am used to hunting elk in the rut.
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