Idaho

Last updated March 2023

Link to State website

Contact

Wildlife Diversity Program Manage
Bureau of Wildlife
Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Rex Sallabanks
Phone (208) 334-2920

Is a permit required for banding?

Yes. The permit application expressly includes a request for authority to band and mark birds.

Permit application form

Apply Online
Renewal: same form
Threatened and Endangered: same form
Salvage: same form. Specify in permit application as a “method of capture”

State lands

If work is going to be conducted on a state Wildlife Management Area, contacting the WMA manager would likely be a line item included in the permit provisions. Anyone working on a WMA would likely need a manager’s assistance for access.

Prior notice

Even if no formal permit is needed to work on state property, you should always contact the manager of that particular state land unit before your arrival. You want to be aware of the hunting seasons, and, of course want to be sure that your activities will not interfere with the activities of that park, wildlife management area, or other state land unit, and that your activities will not adversely affect public use of the land.

Policies

Idaho statutes:

TITLE 36
FISH AND GAME
CHAPTER 11
PROTECTION OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS
36-1102.Protection of birds. (a) Game, Song, Insectivorous, Rodent Killing, and Innocent Birds Protected. Except for English sparrows and starlings, no person shall at any time of the year take any game, song, rodent killing, insectivorous or other innocent bird, except as provided by commission proclamations promulgated pursuant hereto, or for any person to intentionally disturb or destroy the eggs or nests of such birds at any time.
(b) Migratory Birds.
1. No person shall hunt, take or have in possession any migratory birds except as provided by federal regulations made pursuant to the federal migratory bird treaty act, as amended, and in accordance with related rules and proclamations promulgated by the commission.
2. No person subject to the federal migratory bird hunting stamp act tax shall hunt any migratory waterfowl unless at the time of such hunting he carries on his person an unexpired federal migratory bird hunting stamp validated by his signature in ink across the face of the stamp or an electronically issued unexpired validation on a valid license while hunting such birds.
(c) Falconry. The commission is authorized to establish a falconry program and to promulgate rules and proclamations governing same. As may be required by commission rule, the fees for a falconry permit, raptor captive breeding permit and raptor in-state transfer permit shall be as specified in section 36-416, Idaho Code. The falconry and the raptor captive breeding permit shall expire three (3) years from date of issue.

Idaho Administrative Code

No specific provision of the Idaho Administrative Code pertains to scientific “collecting” (aka “research”) permits.

Generally, the Idaho Administrative Code provides that:

13.01.06.300.PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE.
01. Game Species. Those species of wildlife classified as Big Game Animals, Upland Game Animals, Game Birds, Migratory Birds, Game Fish, Crustacea, or Furbearing Animals may be taken only in accordance with Idaho law and rules established by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. (4-6-05) .
02. Protected Nongame and Threatened or Endangered Species. No person shall take or possess those species of wildlife classified as Protected Nongame, or Threatened or Endangered at any time or in any manner, except as provided in Sections 36-106(e) and 36-1107, Idaho Code, by Commission rule, or IDAPA 13.01.10, “Rules Governing the Importation, Possession, Release, Sale, or Salvage of Wildlife,” Subsection 100.06.b. Protected Nongame status is not intended to prevent unintentional take of these species, protection of personal health and/or safety, limit property and building management, or prevent management of animals to address public health concerns or agricultural damage. (4-6-05)
03. Unprotected and Predatory Wildlife. Those species of wildlife classified as Unprotected Wildlife and Predatory Wildlife may be taken in any amount, at any time, and in any manner not prohibited by state or federal law, by holders of the appropriate valid Idaho hunting, trapping, or combination hunting and fishing licenses, provided such taking is not in violation of state, county, or city laws, ordinances, or regulations. (7-1-93)

Endangered species

Idaho does not have a state endangered species law. However, the Idaho Administrative Code 13.01.06.150 provides:

02. Protected Nongame and Threatened or Endangered Species. No person shall take or possess those species of wildlife classified as Protected Nongame, or Threatened or Endangered at any time or in any manner, except as provided in Sections 36-106(e), 36-401, and 36-1107, Idaho Code, by Commission rule, or IDAPA 13.01.10, “Rules Governing the Importation, Possession, Release, Sale, or Salvage of Wildlife,” Subsection 100.06.b. Protected Nongame status is not intended to prevent unintentional take of these species, protection of personal health and/or safety, limit property and building management, or prevent management of animals to address public health concerns or agricultural damage.

No bird species are classified as threatened or endangered under this provision.