IdahoIdaho limits fall hunting and scouting with certain devices
Each fall, Idaho hunters may not use certain devices to hunt or scout big game or game birds, though the law lists several exceptions.
What it does
Idaho law bars using thermal imaging, night vision, drones, or certain trail cameras to hunt or scout big game or game birds each fall, with listed exceptions.
Argument forLandowners and agencies could still use these devices to address animal or crop damage, monitor traps, and protect buildings from theft.
Argument againstHunters may have fewer ways to scout big game and game birds during the fall season, even when they do not plan to shoot the animals.
More detail
Idaho law bars using the listed technologies to hunt or scout big game or game birds during the covered season. The rule covers thermal imaging, night vision, drones or other unmanned aircraft, and transmitting trail cameras on federal, state, or local government land. Exceptions allow these technologies for hunting wolves, mountain lions, or predatory wildlife; addressing damage to livestock, other domestic animals, or crops; retrieving wounded game; deterring theft by monitoring buildings or personal property; and monitoring traps. For damage control, use is limited to the owner, an authorized representative or lessee, or a federal or state agency. The limits apply each year from August 30 through December 31. The act took effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 2Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on April 2, 2026 Session Law Chapter 297 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Apr 2Delivered to Governor at 10:38 a.m. on April 2, 2026To Governor
- Apr 2Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Apr 1Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Apr 1Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Apr 1Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Apr 1Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 31Read third time in full – PASSED - 29-6-0AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Kohl, Lakey, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, WoodwardNAYS – Bjerke(Bjerke), Hart, Keyser, Lenney, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - BurtenshawTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 27Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 26Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 25Introduced, read first time; referred to: Resources & EnvironmentMinor
- Mar 25Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 24Rules Suspended: Ayes 67 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 3, read in full as required – PASSED - 67-1-2AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – ThompsonAbsent – Redman, Vander WoudeFloor Sponsor - PetzkeTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 67 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 3, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 24Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 23Reported Printed and Referred to Resources & Conservation
- Mar 23Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced