What are the laws for hunting fox in Idaho this year? This article covers many of the fundamental laws you will need to know to get started. It also provides information such as seasons, harvest limits, and required permits for hunting fox in Idaho. It is not a legal document and is not intended to cover all hunting laws and regulations.
Fox hunting season runs statewide in Idaho from October 10th to March 31st, except in the Southwest Region: Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington counties, where there is no closed season.
Purchase a Idaho hunting license here.
Check out the Idaho hunting seasons.
First time hunting fox? Check out these articles:
Read: How to call in a fox.
Read: How to use tracks and scat to hunt a fox.
Related: Read the laws for hunting coyotes in Idaho.
Related: Read the laws for hunting bobcats in Idaho.
General laws for hunting fox in Idaho.
Suppressors. It is legal to hunt in Idaho with a suppressor.
Electronic callers and decoys. Legal for hunting furbearers.
While electronic callers are expensive, mouth and hand callers are less pricey but take time to learn how to use.
Read this article and watch the video to learn how to use a closed reed rabbit squealer.
You can read about some highly effective but inexpensive ($20) decoys here.
You can check Amazon’s price list for callers and decoys here.
Night hunting. Night hunting foxes in Idaho is not permitted.
Can I shoot a fox on my property in Idaho?
The red fox is classified as a furbearer in Idaho. However, in Jefferson County, there is a year-long hunting and trapping season on them, which requires a hunting or trapping license. If caught harassing or killing your pets or farm animals, they can also be killed without a permit.
Fox are active predators and are especially fond of mice, voles, and other small mammals. They also kill birds, feral or loose cats, and possibly small dogs though quite rare. You should contact your local Fish and Game office if you wish to live capture and relocate the animals. They may be willing to issue you a permit to have an animal in captivity and relocate. If there are adults, there are likely pups, and it is not as easy as just removing a single animal.
You may also contact a local fur trapper if you have real issues with the foxes. Losing straying cats on occasion will be expected in rural areas and may be caused by more than just foxes. You can find more information about a fox and other predator control online.
Prohibited methods for hunting fox in Idaho.
It Is Unlawful:
• To hunt on cultivated or posted private lands without permission. See Trespass Law.
• To hunt or take any wildlife without a valid hunting license on your person.
• To take any game without the proper tag and/or permit.
• To shoot from or across the traveled portion, shoulders, or embankments of any road maintained by any government entity.
• To hunt game from any motorized vehicle, except holders of a valid handicapped person’s Motor Vehicle Hunting Permit may hunt from a motorized vehicle when the vehicle is not on a public road and not in motion.
• To operate any vehicle in an area designated as closed for that specific vehicle type.
• To operate a motor vehicle in violation of area, trail, or road restriction.
• To use any motorized vehicle, including any unmanned aircraft system (drone), to molest, stir up, rally, or drive any game animal or bird.
• For all hunters, anglers, and trappers, with or without game or fish, to not stop and report at any check station established to inspect licenses and fish and game – even if hunting, fishing, or trapping was done outside the state of Idaho.
• To fail to produce wildlife in possession for inspection upon request of a conservation officer or other person authorized to enforce Idaho Department of Fish and Game laws.
• To hunt any animal or bird by the aid of a spotlight, flashlight, or artificial light of any kind, except unprotected or predatory animals on private land after obtaining written permission and on public lands after obtaining the required permit from a Fish and Game regional office.
