Hound Hunting Idaho

[THunt]

I know that this is a long shot but wanted to try it anyway.  First, if I could afford a cougar hunt with Bearpaw I would do that but its a little out of the budget.

My story is I started getting into hound hunting and then it was taken away from us.  I have seen 1 big kitty in the tree and it was so awesome!  I don't have the time to have hounds now with kids but really want to go hound hunting.

I'm willing to pay for fuel, lodging, and whatever else if someone wanted to go hunt Idaho in 2012. I have my own sled and all the gear I need.  Please PM me if this might work for you. 

Thanks Tyler

[Machias]

Hi Tyler, no one would be able to take you on a lion hunt in Idaho unless you draw a non-resident hound permit and even then they could not take you if you paid for fuel, meals, lodging or even a soda, otherwise they will be charged with illegal guiding.  I cannot take you even if you buy a non-resident lion tag and let you harvest a lion over my dogs, unless you had drawn one of the 70 non-resident hound permits and those were handed out last Dec.  Now if you wanted to apply for one of those permits this coming Dec for 2013 and drew one then you can harvest a cat over dogs over there.  BUT you cannot even buy a guy a candy bar for his help, otherwise he will get charged for illegal guiding.  They are THAT strict.

[Special T]

So if i had all the gear, but no dogs and had a friend with them could i hunt over his dogs?  If we stay in my trailer and eat out of my fridge are we hunting partners, or is he my guide? If it money that changes hands then if i buy all the supplies and use my own gear does that make us hunting partners?   

If i have a sled and my buddie has one does that make it illegal?

[Machias]

The only people that can "hunt" coons, lions, bears and bocats over dogs in Idaho is a resident or a non-resident who has drawn one of the 70 non-resident hound permits or someone who hunts with a licensed outfitter.  Now if you want to tag along you can, but you cannot handle or touch a dog, you cannot control the dogs and even if you have a lion or bear permit you cannot harvest one over someone elses dogs without the hound permit.  If you give him ANYTHING, food out of your fridge, whatever, a soda cause your a nice guy, he can and WILL be charged with illegal guiding.  An Idaho resident can't even do a swap hunt with someone outside of the state without running the very real possibility of being charged.

[Special T]

So If i draw one of the 70 permits and we go together because we are "friends" I would have to handle the dogs and you would have to eat out of your fridge... and just watch... is that what i hear you saying?

[Machias]

So If i draw one of the 70 permits and we go together because we are "friends" I would have to handle the dogs and you would have to eat out of your fridge... and just watch... is that what i hear you saying?

Pretty much, I could not accept gas money or anything.

[THunt]

Wow I didn't know it was that strict. Good to know though.  What about Oregon?  Same rules?

[Machias]

Can't chase lions at all in OR, same as here in WA.  Residents or non-resident. 

[bearpaw]

This is a good topic, not a lot of people know or understand the law. What Machias has said is correct, I can see he understands the way the law is written.

Let me explain some of the reasons they have this law. With cougar hunting illegal in Washington, Oregon, and California, the number of hound hunters in Idaho has increased dramatically due to hound hunters moving into Idaho. Naturally and understandably everyone who knows a hound hunter living in Idaho or drawing a non-resident hound tag, then wants to go cougar or bear hunting with their friend and his dogs in Idaho.

Idaho considered shutting down non-resident hound hunting to protect the resource, instead they opted for the permit system that Machias detailed very well. I think it was a good compromise and smart for resource protection.

Exceptions To The Rule
There are some remote areas that are open for additional non-residents, but many hound hunters avoid those areas which is why they allow additional hunters in those areas.

Outfitters
Non-residents can purchase a tag over the counter to hunt with an outfitter. Obviously this was needed to prevent the new law from destroying outfitting businesses and it keeps revenue coming into Idaho.

Non-Resident Outfitters
There is also an exception for non-resident outfitters who own a business in idaho, that is how I operate. However, under this rule I do not get to go hound hunting anywhere and anytime for myself. I can only hound hunt within my designated hunting area for the purpose of running my business.

Family
There is also an exemption for immediate family members. I don't have the exact details regarding this, but basically it allows a non-resident to hound hunt with an immediate family member who is a resident.

Hope the extra info helps.... 

[bearpaw]

Can't chase lions at all in OR, same as here in WA.  Residents or non-resident. 

I think their legislature had passed a new law to allow cougar hunting, not sure if their governor signed it. So this may be changing in Oregon.

[THunt]

Great thanks Bearpaw.  Its nice to get the whole picture.  I guess I just need to save up for a hunting with you!

[bearpaw]

I know the price sucks, but the reason is the costs involved. For example, we blew up two snowmobiles this winter, one of my best sleds with only 1500 miles and an older backup sled, had the good sled rebuilt, parting out the other sled and will have to buy another.

If we can get McKenna elected Governor, and get Hans Dunshee thrown out by the voters, we could probably have hound hunting again in Washington.

[THunt]

Ya that kind of stuff can add up in a hurry.