Idaho Inbound: Hunting licenses?

[IrishPat]

I am a current CA resident and ID property owner and will be moving permanently in June 2023. I have a current CA hunting license and am wondering if any of you know if CA hunting licenses are honored as legitimate hunting licenses in state, or if ID-specific Hunter Education classes need to be taken?

Thanks in advance for your time-
Pat

[Rotnguns]

Hi Irish, welcome to Idaho! You need an Idaho hunting license, either resident or non-resident. Being a property owner doesn't make a difference. There is a hunter education requirement, but not if you were born after Jan 1 1975. As always, best to contact Idaho Fish and Game. Here's a link:

https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt

[edgerly779]

^^^ Not if you were born before jan 1, 1975 or have hunter safety from another state. Many states have similar requirements.

[Senko]

Need to be a resident for six months to purchase a resident hunting and/or fishing license. As previously mentioned, land ownership doesn't matter.

[Jeepergeo]

I just saw a show on TV where a couple were checked by Texas fish and game and asked for their fishing license. One of the folks tried to get by with their California fishing license and the boat owner had an expired Texas license.

I was surprised that the Californians only received a warning and the boat owner got a ticket (he had a fish that was 5" shorter than the minimum for the species).

[ProRoad]

I just got back from my Idaho trip. California hunters safety is all you need, create an account here and upload that document and you are good to go: https://license.gooutdoorsidaho.com/...merLookup.aspx

Be aware that Big game tags and such go on sale Dec 1st so get on that site early that day.

At the very least, you can buy a "non game" license and tag along with other hunters. 40 bucks and piece of mind.

[Dan_Eastvale]

No requirement if born after Jan 1, 1975?
Age discrimination? What’s the reason states do this?

[bigbossman]

Here you go:

https://www.hunter-ed.com/idaho/hunting_law/

all hunters born after December 31, 1974, must complete hunter education certification unless they can provide proof of previously holding a valid hunting license in Idaho or another state.

Looks like a CA hunting license will suffice for proof.

[Dan_Eastvale]

Ok, good… So grandfathered.

[bigbossman]

Also - if you're a resident and 65+ years of age:

Combination - Senior Hunting and Fishing (65+ yrs) - 3 Year

Applicant must have been a resident in the State of Idaho for 6 months immediately preceding application for license.

$31.75

Yup - a bit over $10/year for a hunting and fishing license.

[BAJ475]

Originally Posted by bigbossman

Also - if you're a resident and 65+ years of age:

Quote:
Combination - Senior Hunting and Fishing (65+ yrs) - 3 Year

Applicant must have been a resident in the State of Idaho for 6 months immediately preceding application for license.

$31.75


Yup - a bit over $10/year for a hunting and fishing license.

It costs extra if you want the plastic card

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by BAJ475

It costs extra if you want the plastic card

What the heck.....maybe I'll spring for one.

[racinjason233]

If you want to trap or hunt with a bow there are separate required courses. They are quite fun if you enjoy in person learning. The boys will start chasing does right at your 6 month mark. Around here deer are like homeless in LA. Elk requires putting in the work. Bear can be fun if you get off the beaten path and haul heavy loads up hill both ways “barefoot” in the snow.

Welcome to Idaho. Ask away if you have any questions.

[IrishPat]

All,
Thanks very much for the excellent information and resources. I've had a CA hunting license for several years, so it sounds like I'll be good as far as legal docs go. I still have a ways to go to get the Senior license, though.

Our house is in the Panhandle, and there are a lot of Whitetail in the area, but I'm looking forward to getting out and going after elk.

Thanks all!

[JCHavasu]

Originally Posted by IrishPat

All,
Thanks very much for the excellent information and resources. I've had a CA hunting license for several years, so it sounds like I'll be good as far as legal docs go. I still have a ways to go to get the Senior license, though.

Our house is in the Panhandle, and there are a lot of Whitetail in the area, but I'm looking forward to getting out and going after elk.

Thanks all!

I have nothing to ad on the hunting issue, just curious roughly where you are landing. I'm in the next county south from Coeur d'Alene. I only briefly met one Calgunner up here but seems like a nice crew from online interactions I have had.

[BAJ475]

Originally Posted by bigbossman

What the heck.....maybe I'll spring for one.

I think we have a history from back in 2017 when we were CA residents. It appears that I sold you something and you left positive feedback. I am not seeing what it was but it may have been some 2400 powder.

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by BAJ475

I think we have a history from back in 2017 when we were CA residents. It appears that I sold you something and you left positive feedback. I am not seeing what it was but it may have been some 2400 powder.

Yup, 3lbs of 2400, back in 2017. You went out of your way to meet with me as I recall.

[CBR_rider]

Originally Posted by JCHavasu

I have nothing to ad on the hunting issue, just curious roughly where you are landing. I'm in the next county south from Coeur d'Alene. I only briefly met one Calgunner up here but seems like a nice crew from online interactions I have had.

I dunno; bunch of them are Atholes from what I can tell

[Fate]

Originally Posted by JCHavasu

I have nothing to ad on the hunting issue, just curious roughly where you are landing. I'm in the next county south from Coeur d'Alene. I only briefly met one Calgunner up here but seems like a nice crew from online interactions I have had.

You in Plummer or St Maries? Moscow here. Stay away from that CBR guy. He’s shifty.

[CBR_rider]

Originally Posted by Fate

You in Plummer or St Maries? Moscow here. Stay away from that CBR guy. He’s shifty.

Aw come on now; you know I had to give up motorcycle riding… I’m not very “shifty” at all lately! Auto trans only right now

[Fate]

Originally Posted by CBR_rider

Aw come on now; you know I had to give up motorcycle riding… I’m not very “shifty” at all lately! Auto trans only right now

I forgot you went full mini van dad.

[CBR_rider]

Originally Posted by Fate

I forgot you went full mini van dad.

Whoa, too far man!

[IrishPat]

Originally Posted by JCHavasu

I have nothing to ad on the hunting issue, just curious roughly where you are landing. I'm in the next county south from Coeur d'Alene. I only briefly met one Calgunner up here but seems like a nice crew from online interactions I have had.

Hayden.
It will be a transition as we'll have neighbors closer to us at that point than we've had in decades. All of my current neighbors are acres away.

[BAJ475]

Originally Posted by IrishPat

Hayden.
It will be a transition as we'll have neighbors closer to us at that point than we've had in decades. All of my current neighbors are acres away.

Welcome to Hayden.

[IrishPat]

Thanks!

[JCHavasu]

Originally Posted by Fate

You in Plummer or St Maries? Moscow here. Stay away from that CBR guy. He’s shifty.

We are just outside Plummer. We were just down in Moscow a few weeks ago checking out the town. Our daughter is looking to complete here pre-vet stuff there at U of I before going on for her vet degree at Wash. State. You have a couple of really good breweries down there!

Originally Posted by IrishPat

Hayden.
It will be a transition as we'll have neighbors closer to us at that point than we've had in decades. All of my current neighbors are acres away.

That can be a transition for sure. We went from one acre to ten, which wasn't much of an adjustment other than being much more rural. We have a small grocery store, Ace Hardware, and a few other things in town. Everything else is about 40 minutes away. But that works for me...

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by JCHavasu

We are just outside Plummer.....

There used to be a good gunsmith in Plummer - Mel Doyle. I head that the 'rona got him last year.

[JCHavasu]

Originally Posted by bigbossman

There used to be a good gunsmith in Plummer - Mel Doyle. I head that the 'rona got him last year.

Sorry I missed your response. More sorry to hear of a good gunsmith passing, and even more sorry for his family. I've been looking for a good local gunsmith. I know a couple of guys up in Hayden area but would like to support someone even closer.