Update About Nonresident Fee Changes
A new law that increases nonresident hunting and fishing fees was signed by Governor Brad Little on March 3. The new fees become effective with the start of 2021 license sales on Dec. 1, 2020. The law implements a general 10 percent increase in the prices for nonresident items, with larger increases for big game tags and related items such as archery and muzzleloader permits. The law adjusts existing reduced rate licenses for mentored juniors to a general 50 percent discount of the related adult item. The bill does not increase the cost of nonresident wolf tags and Disabled American Veteran licenses and tags.
The full text of House Bill 330, which reflects the fee changes, is available on the Idaho Legislature’s website.
A separate bill signed into law by the Governor on March 9 that takes effect on July 1, 2020, will reduce the archery and muzzleloader permit fees specifically for Disabled American Veterans. The fees for both types of permits were set at $2 for resident and $4 for nonresident Disabled American Veterans, not including the issuance fee of $1.75.
Why did Fish and Game propose the fee increase in House Bill 330?
In August, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted a rule that would allow them the discretion to manage nonresident distribution/participation in general deer and elk hunts. The rule is currently pending approval of the legislature. If approved, it would go into effect at the end of the current legislative session.
This rule is an outcome of concerns about hunter crowding and congestion in some popular hunting areas. It would allow the Fish and Game Commission to limit the number of nonresident deer or elk tags available in a specific general hunt unit or elk zone.
Fish and Game anticipates that this may cause some nonresident hunters to redistribute across the state, and others to choose not to hunt. The increased fees proposed in House Bill 330 are necessary to offset the anticipated reduction in nonresident participation and revenue, allowing the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to maintain a balanced budget to support existing services.
Idaho Now Requires Nonresident Sticker for OHVs
Idaho Parks and Recreation (IDPR) wants you to know that as of January 1, 2020, the State of Idaho requires nonresidents riding in Idaho to purchase a nonresident off-highway vehicle (OHV) sticker. The fee will be the same $12 that Idaho residents are currently required to purchase.
Previously, nonresidents from other states were allowed to ride in Idaho with only a sticker from their own home state. As other states surrounding Idaho eliminated reciprocity, Idaho followed suit and voted to do the same.
The registration fees collected from Idaho residents and nonresidents alike are vital to funding trail maintenance, education, mapping, and enforcements efforts across the state.
Nonresidents may purchase their $12 OHV registration sticker on the IDPR website.
No License Required to Enter Super Hunt
There are 32 Super Hunt and 2 Super Hunt Combo tags awarded each year. An Idaho Super Hunt tag is a big game tag that allows you to pursue an elk, deer, pronghorn, or moose in any open hunt in Idaho for that species—general or controlled hunt. Super Hunt Combo tags allow the winners to pursue all four species in any open hunt. These tags are in addition to any general or controlled hunt tags a hunter has applied for or may already hold.
Super Hunt entries are $6 each; Super Hunt Combo entries are $20 each. You don't need a license to enter, and you can enter as many times as you'd like.
We think the Super Hunt is worth putting a few bucks towards for the chance to hunt all across our beautiful state.
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