IDAPA 13.01.17
Wildlife Bureau
These rules apply to individuals who use bait for hunting black bear or traps for taking gray wolf.
These rules govern the use of bait and trapping for taking big game animals. These rules govern permit requirements, establishment of bait sites and container types and bait types for using bait to attract black bear. These rules also govern the use of traps (ground set snares and foothold traps), trapping hours, mandatory check and reporting requirements for trapping gray wolf. These rules regulate the take of wildlife so that Idaho continues to have wildlife populations to support public use and enjoyment in the future. These rules also promote public safety and manage social aspects 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:
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
13.01.17 – Rules Governing Use of Bait for Hunting Big Game Animals
000. Legal Authority. ... 3
001. Title and Scope. ... 3
002. – 009. (Reserved) ... 3
010. Definitions. ... 3
011. -- 099. (Reserved) ... 3
100. Use of Bait for Hunting Big Game. ... 3
101. -- 199. (Reserved) ... 4
200. Baiting Permit. ... 4
201. -- 999. (Reserved) ... 4
Sections 36-104, 409, and 36-1101, Idaho Code, authorize the Commission to adopt rules concerning the use of bait for hunting big game animals. (3-31-22)
The title of this chapter for citation is IDAPA 13.01.17, 'Rules Governing Use of Bait for Hunting Big Game Animals.' These rules govern use of bait for hunting big game animals. (3-31-22)
01. Bait (Hunting). Bait for hunting purposes is any substance placed to attract big game animals, except synthetic liquid scent for deer, elk, or moose. (3-31-22)
02. Established Roadway. A roadway open to the general public for motorized traffic and capable of being traveled by full-sized automobiles. (3-31-22)
Bait may be used to hunt only black bear and only under the following conditions, except gray wolf may be taken incidentally to bear baiting. (3-31-22)
01. Time. (3-31-22)
a. No bait or bait container may be placed for the purpose of attracting or taking black bear prior to the opening of black bear take season, except bait may be placed one (1) week prior to the opening of bear season in Units 10, 12, 16A, 17, 19, 20, 20A, 26 and 27. (3-31-22)
b. All bait, bait containers and materials must be removed and all excavations refilled no later than seven (7) days after the close of each season (spring, fall, or black bear dog training); except bait, bait containers, and materials may remain in Units 10 and 12 between the dog training season and the fall season. (3-31-22)
02. Location. (3-31-22)
a. No bait site may be located within two hundred (200) feet of any water (lake, pond, reservoir, year round free flowing spring and year round free flowing stream). (3-31-22)
b. No bait site may be located within two hundred (200) yards from any maintained trail or any established roadway; except in the Panhandle and Clearwater Regions, no bait site may be located within two hundred (200) feet from any maintained trail or any established roadway. (3-31-22)
c. No bait site may be located within one-half (1/2) mile of any designated campground or picnic area, administrative site, or dwelling. (3-31-22)
03. Types. (3-31-22)
a. No person may use any part of a domestic or wild origin game bird, big game animal, upland game animal, game fish, or protected nongame wildlife for bait or scent. (3-31-22)
b. The skin must be removed from any mammal parts or carcasses used as bait. (3-31-22)
c. No person may use salt in any form (liquid or solid) for bait. (3-31-22)
04. Containers. (3-31-22)
a. No bait may be contained within paper, plastic, glass, metal, wood or other non-biodegradable materials, except that a single, metal container with a maximum size of fifty-five (55) gallons may be used if securely attached at the bait site. (3-31-22)
b. No bait may be contained in any excavated hole greater than four (4) feet in diameter. (3-31-22)
a. Any structures constructed at bait sites using nails, spikes, ropes, screws, or other materials must be removed by the permit holder within seven (7) days after the close of each season (spring, fall, or black bear dog training). (3-31-22)
b. All bait sites must be visibly marked at the nearest tree or on the bait container using a tag supplied by the Department. (3-31-22)
a. Baiting permits are issued by mail or in person from Department offices beginning March 1 of each year. (3-31-22)
b. Baiting permits are valid for the calendar year in which they are issued. (3-31-22)
a. All persons placing bait must possess a baiting permit issued by the Department. (3-31-22)
b. Each hunter may possess only one (1) baiting permit each year and may maintain up to three (3) bait sites, except the number of bait sites maintained by outfitters will be that specified by the land management agency in the outfitter’s operating plan. (3-31-22)
c. No person may hunt over an unlawful bait site. (3-31-22)
d. Guides and clients of outfitters are exempt from possessing a baiting permit, provided they have a copy of the outfitter’s permit in their possession while placing bait or hunting over the outfitter’s permitted bait site. (3-31-22)