HUNTING LICENSES

A Hunting License is required in the state of Idaho to hunt any game animal. There are a variety of license types available depending on your age, residency status, and what type of game you plan to hunt. Some of the hunting license types in Idaho include:   

Resident Adult Hunting License

This license type is available for Idaho residents. It grants the holder with basic hunting privileges and may be valid for 1 or more years depending on the license type purchased. Lifetime licenses are also available. Hunters may also need to purchase additional licenses, tags, and permits depending on the game animal being hunted. 

Combination Sportsman Package

The combination sportsman package is available to Idaho residents and includes all privileges associated with the Resident Adult Combination License, in addition to deer, elk, bear, mountain lion, wolf, turkey, salmon, and steelhead tags. This combination license is popular for hunters and anglers who participate in the sport frequently.

Lifetime Hunting Licenses

There are a variety of lifetime hunting and combination license types available. Lifetime licenses are available to Idaho residents who are ages 2-50. Lifetime license types are popular for avid hunters and anglers in the state who prefer not to purchase annual licenses. For more information on lifetime, license type visit the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website. 

GAME SPECIES

There are plenty of game species available to hunt in Idaho. Some of Idaho’s common game species include:

• Big game including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, mountain lion, and wolf. 
• Small and upland game including turkey, pheasant, partridge, quail, and crane. 
• Waterfowl and other migratory game birds including ducks, geese, and mourning dove.
• Furbearers including beaver, fox, muskrat, badger, marten, otter, bobcat, and mink. 

NON-GAME SPECIES

Nongame species in Idaho make up a majority the state’s wildlife and include mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates which typically may not be hunted, are considered a nuisance or are protected, endangered, or at risk. There is, unfortunately, a lengthy list of endangered, protected, and threatened species within the state. For more information on nongame, and endangered species within the state visit the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website. 

INVASIVE SPECIES

Invasive animals and other pests have been introduced to the United States, including the State or Pennsylvania, and have become a threat to native wildlife. These animals, plants, fish, and invertebrates typically have no natural predators which can result in rapid spread and population growth. This in turn can seriously harm the state’s lands and waters, and can be detrimental to the health and population numbers of a variety of the state’s native plants and animals. Some common invasive species in Pennsylvania include nutria, Africanized honey bee, banded elk bark beetle, and emerald ash borer 

In order to protect Idaho’s native plants and animals, invasive species must be controlled and eradicated. Anyone who encounters or suspects that they have encountered an invasive species within the state is encouraged to report the sighting so that it can be monitored and controlled. For information on how to report various types of invasive species in Pennsylvania visit the Idaho Invasive Species page. 

PRIVATE LAND

Much of the land in Idaho is privately owned. Hunters can typically freely take game animals hunted on their own private property, or may seek permission from a landowner to hunt on private property. Hunters who wish to take game on privately owned land must follow state hunting regulations as well as any regulations specified by the landowner. Hunters must ensure they respect the rights and property of the landowner at all times. 

PUBLIC LAND

There are millions of acres of accessible lands that are open for hunting in Idaho. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game alone manages more than 370,000 acres of land within Wildlife Management Areas, in addition to millions of acres which have been made available through agreements with landowners and lease program. 

Public and state-managed lands are open to a variety of outdoor recreational activities including hunting, angling, wildlife watching, and hiking. Hunters accessing these lands to take game should keep in mind that specific rules and regulations may apply within the areas to ensure continued access to these properties. Hunters are responsible for knowing and understanding the rules and regulations that apply on public land. 

For more information on the rules and regulations that apply to hunters and other recreational users of state lands, visit the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Hunting and Fishing Access page. 

Hunting in Idaho’s Wildlife Management Areas

There are 31 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) within the state of Idaho that are managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. These lands encompass a total of 370,000 acres of space and are managed and controlled to ensure wildlife and habitat conservation, based on the need of the wildlife within the area. 

These areas provide a wide variety of opportunities for hunters and are home to a wide range of game species. For more information on Idaho’s WMAs and publically accessible hunting, visit the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Hunting and Fishing Access page. 

WMA Regulations

Hunters should keep in mind that special rules and regulations may apply when hunting within Wildlife Management Areas. Restrictions and regulations may vary per WMA. Some of these regulations may include. 

• Visting and hunting hour restrictions
• Motorized recreational vehicle restriction
• Camping area restrictions 
• Restrictions on the use of dogs 
• Baiting and take method restrictions