Idaho Regs...No Tag...Can I still go hike with a hunter

cworth

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Oct 24, 2023
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19
Location
Latrobe, CA
A friend pulled a solo tag, and I was wondering if it was legal for me to go with him and be a hiker and hopefully help pack out?

I read the Reg’s, and I could not find where is address this directly, and I do not want to have an issue or be that guy. Obviously two sets of eyes are better than one out in the field even though there are zero plans for me to do anything other than hike and mirror him.

The closest section in the Reg’s that seemed answer this question was:

Definition of Hunting: Hunting means chasing, driving, flushing, attracting, pursuing, worrying, following or on the trail of, shooting at, stalking, or lying in wait for any wildlife whether or not such wildlife is then/or subsequently captured, killed, taken or wounded.

Based on this Section you could very well make the case that just being with him I will technically be doing some of this (Obviously without weapon).

Anybody have the answer on this before I call the IDFG.
 

rclouse79

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Dec 10, 2019
Messages
1,888
You could call to be safe, but I wouldn’t worry about it. I take my kid all the time when he is the only one with a tag.
 

Tick

WKR
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Jun 2, 2017
Messages
368
They definitely wrote that definition to benefit the department. Go with your buddy and have fun.
 

downthepipe

Lil-Rokslider
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Dec 21, 2015
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248
Location
SW IDAHO
This is Idaho. Hike on any public land you want. Carry whatever weapon you want, no matter what season there is. If you want to hunt, you could get a wolf, bear , and mountain lion tag and shoot any coyote you see.
 

IDVortex

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Jan 16, 2024
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CDA Idaho
Get a membership to The Foundation for Wildlife Management (F4WM.org) as well if you’re getting that wolf tag. Might offset the cost of the trip up you get one, or just supporting guys that are getting it done on wolves. Check em out!
What he said!
 

Idaboy

WKR
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Oct 22, 2017
Messages
554
Yes...you can accompany a buddy hunting...I asked IDFG this about 10yrs ago when hunting in Idaho and asked if my dad (no license, not carrying a weapon) can be with me, and, could he glass, call, bugle etc..Yes, no problem they said
 
Joined
May 17, 2015
Messages
881
Questions like this are the reason I’m not surprised our government was able to trample on so many individual freedoms during the pandemic. I’m sorry I just can’t even with this. Are you literally asking if you’re allowed to hike on public land without a hunting license?


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voltage

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Jan 15, 2019
Messages
959
Location
Missouri
Questions like this are the reason I’m not surprised our government was able to trample on so many individual freedoms during the pandemic. I’m sorry I just can’t even with this. Are you literally asking if you’re allowed to hike on public land without a hunting license?


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Assisting another hunter without a license is literally illegal in Missouri, so go on OP for clarifying. Get off your covid crap.

Missouri is giving out 5 elk tags now, and you are essentially on your own because knowing another license holder is so rare.
 

Cheesy

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Sep 29, 2022
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SWMO
Questions like this are the reason I’m not surprised our government was able to trample on so many individual freedoms during the pandemic. I’m sorry I just can’t even with this. Are you literally asking if you’re allowed to hike on public land without a hunting license?


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Blows my mind as well. Why don't we just roll over and let the 'govt' dictate what we do. Hiking on public ground with a rifle is what the fellas did back in the 1700s to beat the redcoats.
 
Joined
Sep 13, 2016
Messages
2,413
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Idaho
Buy a license and a wolf tag. More than likely you won't have any issues.
Hypothetically, if you and your partner split up and you happen to bump into a CO, you are indeed falling into the definition of hunting. It's a broad definition designed to be a catch all.
 

Glendon Mullins

Hillbilly Moderator
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Sep 7, 2014
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Highland County Virginia
Questions like this are the reason I’m not surprised our government was able to trample on so many individual freedoms during the pandemic. I’m sorry I just can’t even with this. Are you literally asking if you’re allowed to hike on public land without a hunting license?


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Same here in Virginia, it's called "participating in the hunt" when we used to bear hunt with hounds, my neighbor who was an older fella and couldn't walk in the woods. Would tag along in his vehicle (which came in handy when we would walk a few miles and come out somewhere, he would pick us up and take us back to our truck) one year he decided not to buy his license and got a ticket because he was "participating in the hunt"

So it's probably a smart thing that the OP is asking, because if your participating in the hunt, you may not be able to walk or drive on public land without getting a ticket in certain areas/states
 
Joined
May 17, 2015
Messages
881
Same here in Virginia, it's called "participating in the hunt" when we used to bear hunt with hounds, my neighbor who was an older fella and couldn't walk in the woods. Would tag along in his vehicle (which came in handy when we would walk a few miles and come out somewhere, he would pick us up and take us back to our truck) one year he decided not to buy his license and got a ticket because he was "participating in the hunt"

So it's probably a smart thing that the OP is asking, because if your participating in the hunt, you may not be able to walk or drive on public land without getting a ticket in certain areas/states

Man, that is insane, and I’m not a lawyer but it seems like something the courts would be willing to take up as this seems to really be a limitation on one’s rights


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