IDAPA 13.01.02
Wildlife Bureau
Who does these rules apply to?
These rules persons who wish to begin hunting or trapping in Idaho. These rules apply to persons who wish to participate in the Mentored Hunting Program as mentees or mentors.
What is the purpose of these rules?
These rules establish criteria for mandatory hunting, archery and trapping education programs and the Mentored Hunting Program to promote public safety and enjoyment of these activities.
What is the legal authority for the agency to promulgate this rule?
This rule implements the following statutes passed by the Idaho Legislature:
Fish and Game -
Fish and Game Commission:
License to Hunt, Fish and Trap:
Public Safety:
Who do I contact for more information on this rule?
Idaho Department of Fish and Game 600 S. Walnut Street Boise, ID 83712
P.O. Box 25 Boise, ID 83707 Phone: (208) 334-3771 Fax: (208) 334-4885 Email: Rules@idfg.idaho.gov Webpage: http://idfg.idaho.gov
This rule chapter will be reviewed in compliance with Section 67-5292, Idaho Code, and in accordance with the 8-year rule review schedule linked here.
13.01.02 – Rules Governing Mandatory Education, Mentored Hunting, and Shooting Ranges
| 000. Legal Authority. | 3 |
|---|---|
| 001. Scope. | 3 |
| 002. – 009. (Reserved) | 3 |
| 010. Definitions. | 3 |
| 011. – 100. (Reserved) | 3 |
| 101. Hunting Passport. | 3 |
| 102. Hunting Mentor. | 3 |
| 103. – 199. (Reserved) | 3 |
| 200. Hunter And Archery Education. | 3 |
| 201. Trapper Education. | 3 |
| 202. Wolf Trapper Education. | 4 |
| 203. – 209. (Reserved) | 4 |
| 210. Parental Permission. | 4 |
| 211. – 219. (Reserved) | 4 |
| 220. Mountain Goat Identification. | 4 |
| 221. Bear Identification. | 4 |
| 222. – 249. (Reserved) | 4 |
| 250. Education Fees. | 4 |
| 251. –299. (Reserved) | 4 |
| 300. Shooting Range Fees. | 4 |
| 301. –999. (Reserved) | 4 |
MENTORED HUNTING, AND SHOOTING RANGES
Sections 36-103, 36-104, 36-401, 36-409, 36-412, 36-418 and 36-1508. (3-30-23)
These rules govern hunting, archery, and trapping education, mentored hunting and shooting ranges. (3-30-23)
01. Accompany(ied). Close enough for conversation without shouting or using electronic devices. (3-30-23)
02. Mentee. Holder of a Hunting Passport or Nonresident Junior Mentored License. (3-30-23)
01. Hunting Passport. No person holding a Hunting Passport may hunt wildlife unless accompanied by an eligible mentor. Hunting Passports are licenses for carrying and exhibition purposes under Section 36-1201, Idaho Code, and authorize holders to hunt without mandatory hunter education. Hunting Passports expire December 31 of the year for which they are valid. (3-30-23)
02. Passport Eligibility. (3-30-23)
a. Only persons eight (8) years of age or older, who have not previously possessed a Hunting Passport, hunting license, or equivalent license in any state or country, may possess a Hunting Passport. Youths may possess additional Hunting Passport(s) each year until reaching ten (10) years of age. (3-30-23)
b. Hunting passport holders at least ten (10) years of age are eligible to obtain general hunt big game tags available for their residency. (3-30-23)
c. Hunting Passport holders are not eligible to apply for controlled hunts, except as designated by landowners for landowner permission or depredation hunts. (3-30-23)
d. Hunting Passport holders under eighteen (18) years of age are eligible to participate in youth-only seasons. (3-30-23)
01. Eligibility. No person may be a mentor unless they are eighteen (18) years of age or older and have a valid Idaho hunting license. A mentor may accompany no more than two (2) mentees at once. (3-30-23)
02. Game Tag. Mentees may not hunt for species requiring game tag(s) under Section 36-409, Idaho Code, unless the mentee has a valid tag for the hunt and the mentor has a tag for that species valid somewhere in Idaho during that calendar year. (3-30-23)
03. Mentor Hunting. Mentors may hunt while serving as mentors if eligible for that hunt. (3-30-23)
Certification of hunter/archery education to comply with Section 36-411, Idaho Code, means presentation of Department-issued or equivalent certification. “Equivalent certification” for hunter/archery education means completed instruction by an authorized agency or association including firearms/archery safety, wildlife management and laws, hunter ethics, first aid, survival, and practical experience in handling and shooting firearms/archery equipment. (3-30-23)
Any person who did not possess an Idaho trapping license before July 1, 2011, is ineligible to obtain a trapping license unless they present Department-issued or equivalent certification of trapper education. “Equivalent certification” means completed instruction by an authorized agency or association including trapping safety, wildlife management and laws, non-target species avoidance techniques, trapper ethics and practical experience with trapping equipment. Wolf-only trapping education is not equivalent certification. (3-30-23)
No person may trap for wolves without successfully completing a Department-held wolf trapping education class. (3-30-23)
Students under age eighteen (18) who are not emancipated may only attend in-person Department mandatory education instruction with signed permission of a parent or legal guardian. (3-30-23)
No person may obtain a mountain goat tag unless they have completed the Department’s online mountain goat gender identification test with a passing score (eighty percent (80%) or higher). One may take this test repeatedly to pass. (3-30-23)
No person may hunt black bear unless they have completed an online bear identification test (as between grizzly bear and black bear) administered by the Department or other state wildlife management agency with a passing score, as proven by printed certification. One may take a test repeatedly to pass. (7-1-25)
The Department will charge eight dollars ($8) for each course enrollment in hunter, archery, trapper, or wolf trapper education. (3-30-23)
01. Fee Schedule. The Director may set a daily use fee for Commission-owned or Department-operated shooting ranges, not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00), which a person must pay to use the range. (3-30-23)
02. Goods and Services. Department range program managers have authority to set and charge reasonable fees for goods available for resale, equipment rentals, and services provided to enhance user experience unique to the range. (3-30-23)