New hunting law bans certain gear, violators face $1,000 fines

A new law is restricting the equipment hunters can use, and those caught with prohibited items could face fines of up to $1,000.

Lawmakers approved the change to help protect big game and wild bird populations.

Idaho House Bill 939, signed into law by Republican Gov. Brad Little on April 2, focuses on limiting the use of modern hunting technology.

The law bars hunters from using specific equipment while pursuing certain species between August 30 and December 31 each year.

The restrictions apply to “big game animals” and “game birds,” as defined in the legislation.

Hunters targeting these animals cannot use thermal imaging, night vision, transmitting trail cameras, or drones.

If caught using this equipment after the law takes effect on July 1, violators could face misdemeanor charges, according to the Idaho Freedom Foundation.

Under Idaho law, penalties may include fines of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

Offenders could also lose their hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges for as long as three years.

“Our goal is to maintain traditional Idaho hunting as we have it now, and we have it pretty good,” Roger Phillips of Idaho Fish and Game told KIVI.

“We want to put a halt to it before these things really take root because we know it is a lot harder once people invest money in these things,” he added.

The law includes some exceptions, particularly for certain animals that hunters may still pursue using the restricted technology.

These include wolves, mountain lions, and other predatory wildlife as defined by Idaho law.

The technology may also be used for non-hunting purposes, such as monitoring wildlife or locating and retrieving wounded animals.

“People can still use those [transmitting] cameras for other purposes. These are hunting rules; these do not affect anybody that is not hunting,” Phillips explained.

Meanwhile, other states are considering laws that would expand hunting opportunities.

In Louisiana, Senate Bill 244 proposes creating an open season for alligator hunting, which currently requires multiple permits.

If approved, the bill would allow 5,000 hunters to receive licenses, with each permitted to harvest two alligators per season without additional permits.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Robert Allain, said the measure addresses the state’s growing alligator population.

“We have a population problem with over 3 million alligators today,” Allain told the state senate.

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