Who needs to report?
All big game hunters must report 10 days after harvest, or if the hunter did not hunt or harvest (elk, deer, pronghorn, moose, sheep or goat only) no later than 10 days after the closing date of their season for each tag purchased.
Your first-hand data is the science needed to help manage big game populations.
For Bear, Lion or Wolf
Any hunter harvesting a black bear, mountain lion or gray wolf must, within 10 days of kill:
Present the skull and portion of the hide with evidence of sex attached (testicl*s, penis, scrotum or vulva must be left naturally attached to the hide) to an Idaho Fish and Game regional office, a Fish and Game conservation officer and complete the required Big Game Mortality Report. Unsuccessful hunters are not required to report.
For Moose, Sheep or Goat
Any hunter harvesting a moose, sheep or goat must within 10 days of kill:
All successful moose, sheep and goat hunters must report their harvest within 10 days of the date of kill and have a big game mortality report completed at an Idaho Fish and Game Regional office or to a conservation officer. Successful hunters must present the antlers (for antlered moose) or horns (for sheep and goat).
Unsuccessful hunters must present or mail their unused tags to a Fish and Game office within 10 days after the close of the season for which the tag was valid. Tags can be mailed to: Idaho Fish and Game, Attn: Wildlife Bureau, PO Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. Cancelled tags will be returned to the hunter upon request. Failure to report may result in future ineligibility in moose, sheep and goat drawings.
ATTENTION: Fish and Game’s headquarters office, located in Boise, Idaho, is not equipped to check big game species.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What questions will be asked?
A. Hunters with any big game tag will be asked if you hunted, the weapon(s) you hunted with, the number of days you hunted, the game management units you hunted in, and if you harvested an animal. If you harvested an animal, you will be asked additional questions such as the date of harvest, the sex of the animal, antler details, and the weapon used.
For a harvested bear, lion, wolf, moose, sheep or goat Idaho Fish and Game may also take a tooth, DNA sample, and additional samples depending on the species you’re reporting on.
Q. Do I need to submit multiple hunter reports if I purchased more than one tag?
A. Each big game tag you purchase has reporting requirements. Please be sure to follow the reporting process (listed above) as it will vary depending on the big game species you’re reporting for. This may result in multiple reports for a single species.
Examples:
- If you purchased a general deer tag and drew an extra controlled deer tag, you would need to provide hunter reports for both tags, even if you did not hunt or harvest.
- If you purchased a general deer tag and drew a bear tag, you would need to submit a hunter report for your deer (even if you did not hunt or harvest) and have your bear checked if your hunt was successful. Unsuccessful reports for bears are not required.
Q. Do I need to submit a report even if I didn't harvest or hunt?
A. The reporting process will vary depending on the big game species you’re reporting for.
For Elk, Deer or Pronghorn: Reporting even when you did not harvest or hunt, provides critical information for estimating total harvest and hunting effort. Biologists look at harvest and hunter participation when they set seasons and rules. With hunters more likely to report when they are successful, and if report rates are low, harvesting could be over-estimated. Receiving reports from hunters who did not harvest keeps our data and the resulting estimates based on it, unbiased.
For Bear, Lion or Wolf: Reporting an unsuccessful hunt is not required.
For Moose Sheep or Goat: Unsuccessful hunters must present or mail their unused tags to a Fish and Game office within 10 days after the close of the season for which the tag was valid. Tags can be mailed to: Idaho Fish and Game, Attn: Wildlife Bureau, PO Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. Cancelled tags will be returned to the hunter upon request. Failure to report may result in future ineligibility in moose, sheep and goat drawings.
Q. Can I file my report at a licensed vendor?
A. Some license vendors are able to check bears and lions only. Contact your local Fish and Game Regional Office to identify a vendor in your area. For all other big game species, license vendors are not able to file your hunter report. In addition, Fish and Game’s headquarters office (located in Boise, Idaho) is not equipped to check any big game species.
Q. How can I fix a mistake on my elk, deer or pronghorn online report that I’ve already submitted?
A. Dial 1-877-268-9365 to speak to a live operator for elk, deer and pronghorn only, before the deadline date to ensure your report information is adjusted. This service is available 7 days a week, between the hours of 7:00 am-10:30 pm MST (excludes major holidays). This phone number should only be used when reporting on elk, deer or pronghorn only.
Q. What if the season for my elk, deer or pronghorn tag runs until December 31?
A. All big game hunters must report 10 days after harvest, or if the hunter did not hunt or harvest (elk, deer or pronghorn) 10 days after the season ends.
Q. Can I submit my hunter report after the deadline?
A. All big game hunters must report 10 days after harvest, or if the hunter did not hunt or harvest (elk, deer, pronghorn, moose, sheep or goat only) 10 days after the season ends.
For Elk, Deer and Pronghorn: The deadline is important to give Idaho Fish and Game time to collect and analyze the data, develop preliminary reports, and provide the information to the Fish and Game Commission when it sets seasons in March. Reports can still be submitted after the close of seasons.
For Bear, Lion, Wolf, Moose, Sheep or Goat: Hunters are required report their harvest in person at any Idaho Fish and Game regional office, official checkpoint (bear and lion only), or to a conservation officer within 10 days of the date of kill. Reporting unsuccessful hunts for bear, lion and wolves is not required. Moose, sheep and goat tag holders must present or mail their unused tag to a Fish & Game office within 10 days after the close of the season for which the tag as valid. Failure to report may result in future ineligibility in moose, sheep and goat drawings.
Q. How is the information used?
A. Hunting days, weapons used, and harvest estimates submitted by you, along with aerial surveys and other information, help wildlife managers monitor big game herds. These data help managers understand the quality of the herds, the hunting pressure on those herds, and whether the current harvest is sustainable. Aerial surveys give biologists a first-hand look at herd sizes and the ratios of males and females, adults and young, and they typically occur once every five to six years in each survey area. Still, they can’t fly every area each year, so hunter reports are a critical way to track what’s happening with herds between those flights.
Q. How does reporting benefit me?
A. Better Reporting = Better Data = Better Hunting
When biologists have more data, they can more accurately assess populations and hunter distribution, improving the confidence to maximize hunting opportunities. Alternatively, if there are negative changes to a population, managers are alerted more quickly and can take steps to address issues before they become bigger problems.
Q. Why did Idaho Fish and Game call me?
A. Idaho Fish and Game conducts a telephone survey of randomly selected individuals who failed to report their hunting activity (for deer, elk and pronghorn tag holders) by the season deadline. It is the random nature of the survey that allows Idaho Fish and Game to accurately estimate hunter effort, harvest, and success rates compared to previous years. You can avoid the phone call by reporting on your deer, elk or pronghorn tag as soon as you harvest or 10 days after your season ends if you didn’t harvest or didn’t hunt.
