Features

• Anyone born after January 1, 1975, must take and pass a state approved hunter education course in order to purchase a hunting license in Idaho. Hunter education certificates from other states are valid. The same requirement is in force for those applying for a archery-hunt-only license. The course involves classroom instruction and field training.
  
  

Types

• Anyone 18 years of age or older must have an adult hunting or fishing license in Idaho. Junior hunting licenses are required for youths 12 to 17 years old, and junior fishing licenses are required for anyone 14 to 17 years old. Disabled people get a lower price on licenses. A person must live in the state six months to be considered a resident, and five years to get a senior citizens license. Nonresidents must get nonresident licenses.
  
  

Identification

• Big-game hunting is popular in Idaho, and it is well-regulated to ensure a strong population. These are animals such as deer, bighorn sheep and elk. There are quotas of how many of each animal may be shot each year based on animal population studies the previous year. Each year drawings are held from among applicants to award permits to hunters. These are called controlled hunts.
  
  

Benefits

• The state has started a program to help open access to privately held lands for hunting and fishing. The state compensates landowners for allowing hunting on their land. This has resulted in hundreds of thousands of acres being opened for hunting.
  
  

Fishing

• Idaho is famous for its trout fishing and has more than 10 world-class trout streams. Game and Fish officials say the Silfer Creek, St. Joe River and Henry's Fork are among the best in the nation. Idaho has more than 1,500 highland lakes in its mountains that are good for trout fishing. Idaho is also the only western inland state with ocean-run salmon and steelhead.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Wolves were nearly wiped out by over-hunting across the nation. In 1974 they were declared an endangered species. Idaho's wolf management program has been a success and has reintroduced them. The population has grown steadily to the point that in 2009 they were removed from the endangered list in Idaho. Beginning in 2010, there will be a controlled hunt for wolves.