Idaho Big Game Methods of Take Changes Are Coming

 

Aside from the newly enacted nonresident deer and elk regular season draw that just took place, Idaho has been busy changing some IDAPA Rules (Laws).  There has been a lot of buzz around the use of thermals, night vision and cellular trail cameras here in the spud state for over a year now. On November 20th, 2025, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted to pass the proposed rule changes.  Be prepared for some changes this upcoming 2026 season.  

For over a year now, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has had a Hunting and Advanced Technology (HAT) Working Group.  They have met regularly and accessed the public’s perspectives on what new technologies are going to be considered “fair chase” and which ones should not be used to aid in the take (to or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill) big game animals.  

Idaho has always been a primitive state when it comes to weapons restrictions.  Not long ago, Idaho finally allowed the use of mechanical broadheads and lighted nocks for archery hunting.  Idaho also barely just started allowing the use of “accuracy tips” and “pressure bases” for muzzleloaders.  However, you still must use an exposed ignition system and loose black powder for muzzleloaders.  

If you have ever hunted Idaho, you know the pain of some of their restrictions.  Right, wrong or indifferent, they are trying to make things as fair as possible for the critter you are hunting.  That leads us to some of the new restrictions that are coming.  

The big changes will be the use of thermals, night vision, and cellular trail cameras to assist with the taking of big game ungulates.  

• The IDAPA Rule 13.01.08.410.04 in part will state:
• For big game ungulates (moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and pronghorn) from August 1 through December 31:
  • With the use of thermal imaging technology, including for scouting, hunting or retrieval
  • With the use of night vision technology, including for scouting, hunting or retrieval
  • With the use of a transmitting trail camera, including for hunting and scouting, on land in federal, state, or local government ownership, or private land open to the general public for hunting
  • With the use of any aircraft, including any unmanned aircraft system, for scouting or hunting. This restriction is in addition to the restrictions for use of aircraft in Section 36-1101(b) Idaho Code.

Coming from a Fish and Game trained background and having over 13 years of Law Enforcement experience, I can see some enforcement challenges that come with these types of new restrictions.  I will not say what they are, because I feel that I would be assisting people with skirting around these new laws.  IDFG Wardens are aware of these challenges, and I believe they are up to the task.  

The changes aren’t all restrictive.  There are some changes that I believe will help give people more opportunities.  IDAPA Rule 13.01.08.408.01 will bring about a new special weapon season.  This will be a “Centerfire Open Sight Only Season” but only if the Commission establishes that season.  The new rule just opens the door for them to do just that.  The restriction will be “any centerfire firearm equipped only with open or peep sights, with or without a verifier.  The possibility of this new restricted season is intriguing to me because I have an open-sight Ruger Gunsite Scout in .308 that would work very well in that type of season.  

What are your thoughts on the new changes that are coming?  Is it an overreach? Did the Commission do enough? Sound off in the comments!.