IDAPA 13.01.15
Wildlife Bureau
These rules apply to individuals who train and use dogs in taking wildlife, including upland game animals, game birds, black bear, mountain lion, bobcat fox, unprotected and predatory wildlife. These rules also apply to use of blood-trailing dogs for taking big game.
These rules govern the use of dogs in the taking of wildlife so that Idaho continues to have wildlife populations to support public use and enjoyment in the future. These rules also manage social aspects of the use of dogs to provide a range of opportunities and balance different public interests and preferences.
This rule implements the following statutes passed by the Idaho Legislature:
Fish and Game -
Fish and Game Commission:
Licenses to Hunt, Fish and Trap:
Protection of Animals and Birds:
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.
13.01.15 – Rules Governing the Use of Dogs
000. Legal Authority. ... 3
001. Scope. ... 3
002. -- 009. (Reserved) ... 3
010. Definitions. ... 3
011. -- 099. (Reserved) ... 3
100. Use Of Dogs. ... 3
101. -- 199. (Reserved) ... 3
200. Hound Hunter Permit. ... 3
201. -- 299. (Reserved) ... 4
300. Use of Captively Propagated Game Birds. ... 4
301. -- 999. (Reserved) ... 4
Sections 36-104, 36-409, and 36-1101, Idaho Code. (7-1-24)
These rules govern the use of dogs in taking wildlife and use of game birds in field training dogs in Idaho. (7-1-24)
01. Licensed Outfitter. Outfitter with a valid license issued under Title 36, Chapter 21, Idaho Code. (7-1-24)
02. Licensed Guide. Guide with a valid license issued under Title 36, Chapter 21, Idaho Code. (7-1-24)
03. Unarmed Observers. Unarmed person who is not the owner or controller of pursuit dogs and who accompanies a hunt without intent to take or harvest an animal. (7-1-24)
04. Unqualified Idaho Resident. Person who has moved into Idaho, and by notarized affidavit proves intent to become a bona fide Idaho resident but who is not yet qualified to purchase a resident license. (7-1-24)
No person may use dogs for taking wildlife, except for the following wildlife under the following conditions: (7-1-24)
01. Game Birds and Upland Game Animals. One (1) or more dogs may be used for training on or hunting game birds and upland game animals. (7-1-24)
02. Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Bobcat, and Fox – Hunting. One (1) or more dogs may be used for hunting black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, and fox in a hunting season open for the species, unless prohibited by Commission proclamation. (7-1-24)
03. Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Bobcat, and Fox – Training/Pursuit Only. One (1) or more dogs may be used to train on and pursue only (no harvest) black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, and fox in a dog training season open for the species, unless such use is prohibited by Commission proclamation. A big game tag valid for the calendar year that has been filled is still valid for training/pursuit only of the species. Outside of the bobcat hunting season, bobcats may be pursued and treed, but may not be captured, killed, or possessed. (7-1-24)
04. Blood Trailing of Big Game. Use of one (1) blood-trailing dog controlled by leash during hunting hours and within seventy-two (72) hours of hitting a big game animal is allowed to track animals and aid in recovery. (7-1-24)
05. Unprotected and Predatory Wildlife. A dog may be used for training on or taking unprotected and predatory wildlife. (7-1-24)
01. Hound Hunter Permits. (7-1-24)
a. The following persons must have a valid hunting license and Hound Hunter Permit in possession when any dog is being used to hunt, including training or pursuit only, black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, and fox: (7-1-24)
i. Anyone who owns the dog. (7-1-24)
ii. Anyone having control of the dog if owned by another person. (7-1-24)
iii. Anyone that harvests an animal over dogs, except clients of licensed outfitters in the licensed outfitting area, provided the licensed outfitter or guide accompanying the client has a Hound Hunter Permit. (7-1-24)
b. A permit is not transferable EXCEPT, licensed outfitters may convey the authority of their Hound Hunter Permit to a nonresident licensed guide operating for them, provided the nonresident guide has a copy of the outfitter’s Hound Hunter Permit in possession. (7-1-24)
c. A permit is valid from January 1 through December 31 of each year. (7-1-24)
02. Exceptions. A person owning or using a dog only for blood trailing does not need a hound hunter permit. An unarmed observer does not need a hunting license or hound hunter permit. (7-1-24)
03. Limit on Hound Hunter Permits for Nonresidents. No more than seventy (70) nonresident hound hunter permits will be issued to nonresident hunters. Sales of nonresident Hound Hunter Permits to the following persons are exempt from this limit: (7-1-24)
a. Nonresident licensed outfitter(s) or guide(s), provided the permit is not used for personal hunting. (7-1-24)
b. Unqualified Idaho resident(s). (7-1-24)
c. Nonresidents who hunt solely in a game management zone or unit for which the Commission has adopted a separate limit for hound hunter permits, in which cases those limits will apply to the number of nonresidents. (7-1-24)
04. Nonresident Applications. (7-1-24)
a. To be eligible for a controlled draw for limited nonresident permits, a nonresident must submit a complete application on the form prescribed by the Department such that it is received at the Department’s main office by no later than December 1 of the year preceding the year in which the permit is to be valid. (7-1-24)
b. No person may submit more than one (1) application for a Hound Hunter Permit. (7-1-24)
c. Two nonresidents may apply for two (2) permits on the same application form. (7-1-24)
d. If nonresident permits are available after the application period, they will be available for purchase at any Department office on a first-come, first-served basis starting around December 10. (7-1-24)
201. -- 299. (RESERVED)
IDAPA 13.01.10.500, “Rules Governing Importation, Possession, Release, Sale, or Salvage of Wildlife,” apply to anyone who possesses, releases, or uses artificially propagated game birds for field training dogs. No person may conduct bird-dog field training or trial with the use of captively propagated game birds unless that person has a valid Bird Dog Training Permit or Bird Dog Field Trial Permit corresponding to the activity, and complies with permit terms. (7-1-24)
301. -- 999. (RESERVED)