Idaho Weapon Restrictions

Rifle and Shotgun

In any hunt, including any-weapon seasons, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals:

By any means other than approved firearms, muzzleloaders and archery methods.
With any electronic device attached to, or incorporated on, the firearm or scope; Except scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles are allowed.
With any firearm that, in combination with a scope, sling and/or any attachments, weighs more than 16 pounds.
With any fully automatic firearm.
With any shotgun using shot smaller than #00 buck.
With any rimfire rifle, rimfire handgun, or muzzleloading handgun, except for mountain lion.

Short Range Weapons

In big game seasons restricted to short-range weapons, it is unlawful for hunters to use any weapon other than a muzzleloader, archery equipment, crossbow, or a shotgun using slugs or shot of size #00 buck or larger.

Muzzleloader Caliber Requirements

In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and shortrange hunts, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals:

With any muzzleloading rifle or musket that is less than .45 caliber for deer, pronghorn, or mountain lion; or is less than .50 caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat or black bear.

Muzzleloader-Only Season

Any person hunting in a muzzleloader-only season, including controlled hunts, must have in their possession a license with a muzzleloader permit validation. During a muzzleloaderonly season, it is illegal to pursue or kill a big game animal with any firearm, muzzleloading pistol, or weapon other than a muzzleloading rifle or musket. In addition, the muzzleloading rifle or musket must be:

Capable of being loaded only from the muzzle.
Equipped with only open or peep sights. Scopes and any electronics are prohibited. Except hunters with a visual disability may apply for a permit to use non-magnifying scopes. (Applications are available at Fish and Game offices).
Loaded only with loose black powder, loose Pyrodex, or other loose synthetic black powder. Pelletized powders are prohibited.
Equipped with a single or double-barrel.
Loaded with a projectile that is within .010 inch of the bore diameter. Sabots are prohibited.
Loaded with a patched round ball or conical non-jacketed projectile comprised wholly of lead or lead alloy.
Equipped only with a flint, percussion cap or musket cap. 209 primers are prohibited.
Equipped with an ignition system in which any portion of the cap is exposed or visible when the weapon is cocked and ready to fire.

>Idaho Archery Equipment Restrictions

In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and shortrange hunts, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals:

With arrows or bolts having broadheads measuring less than 7/8 inch in width and having a primary cutting edge less than 0.015 inch thick.
With any bow having a peak draw weight of less than 40 pounds up to or at a draw of 28 inches.
With an arrow or bolt wherein the broadhead does not precede shaft and nock.
With any chemicals or explosives attached to the arrow or bolt.
With arrows or bolts having expanding broadheads.
With arrows or bolts having barbed broadheads, which is a broadhead with any portion of which forms an angle less than 90 degrees with the shaft or ferrule.
With any electronic or tritium-powered device attached to an arrow, bolt or bow. Except disabled archery permit holders may use a non-magnifying sight with battery powered or tritium lighted reticles.
With any bow capable of shooting more than one arrow at a time.
With any compound bow set at more than 85 percent let-off.
With an arrow or bolt, and broadhead with a combined total weight of less than 300 grains.
With an arrow less than 24 inches from broadhead to nock inclusive.
With a bolt (crossbow) less than 12 inches from broadhead to nock inclusive.

Archery-Only Season

Any person hunting in an archery-only season, including controlled hunts, must have their license with archery permit validation. During an archery-only season, it is illegal for hunters to use any firearm or implement other than a longbow, compound bow or recurve bow in compliance with general archery equipment requirements, or:

Any bow equipped with magnifying sights.
Any device that holds a bow at partial or full draw. Except hunters possessing a disabled archery permit may us e a device that holds a bow at partial or full draw. (Applications for the use of devices holding a bow at partial or full draw by disabled hunters are available at Fish and Game offices).
Any crossbow. Except disabled hunters possessing a permit may use a crossbow. (Applications for the use of crossbows by disabled hunters are available at Fish and Game offices).