Posted: 10/16/2025 10:15:07 AM EDT
[Last Edit: BMSMB][Edited]
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IDFG is "proposing" a rules update that will make it illegal to use cellular game cameras on land open to public for hunting big game. https://idfg.idaho.gov/about/rulemaking/13-0108-2401 They're also making it illegal to use night vision and thermal to scout or retrieve game. Night vision is currently allowed as long as you dont shine a light (same as spotlighting). No current rules restricting thermal at all. They're taking comments, but if you've been following the process from the beginning with their public group, its been obvious theyre just jumping through the hoops to make the changes they've already decided to make. They're deadset on making hunting strictly a hobby using decades old technology. I dont enjoy hunting all that much, and I do it strictly for the meat. This will only make my life more difficult. |
"Byte My Shiny Metal Brass"
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I went ahead and commented on it. Things like this are rife for abuse by state conservation agents. "Oh you have a thermal. It must be for big game scouting. Confiscated. Here is a $25,000 ticket. Hurr Durr." And those sorts of assholes in other states do it all the time. Not sure how Idaho's folks are about it - they might be ok conservation agents. If so, they should rebrand themselves "The One and Only Decent Fish and Wildlife Agency". |
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Originally Posted By vectorsc: I went ahead and commented on it. Things like this are rife for abuse by state conservation agents. "Oh you have a thermal. It must be for big game scouting. Confiscated. Here is a $25,000 ticket. Hurr Durr." And those sorts of assholes in other states do it all the time. Not sure how Idaho's folks are about it - they might be ok conservation agents. If so, they should rebrand themselves "The One and Only Decent Fish and Wildlife Agency". Not allowing thermal for tracking will result in more game being lost. |
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Came across a half dozen cell game cameras this month out hunting, not sure how I like being monitored while hunting. Hand held thermal doesn't seem a issue to me. Night vision scopes were allowed for predator hunts, wonder if that is included. Going to look into this more. Thanks for posting about it. |
NRA ISAA GOA
3 Gun Fun
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0% EE, 0 likes, no Condo, no MBA, no BMW
3 Gun Fun
Lets Make America Great Again
0% EE, 0 likes, no Condo, no MBA, no BMW
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The proposals are so frustratingly vague and sweeping. It’s just blanket bans or changes with no nuance. I’m glad they are doing something about hand held thermals in regards to ungulates. There is absolutely nothing sporting about locating deer/elk before sun up and being able to position yourself to shoot it 1 minute after legal light. It’s not sustainable to the populations. If we keep going the way we’re going it will result in shortened seasons and primitive weapon seasons like they are playing with in Utah. The same people pushing those weapon restrictions in Utah are the same ones pushing a lot of this in Idaho. I would like to see loosening of NV/Thermal restrictions on coyotes and predators. I would like to see an exception for the use of thermals while tracking wounded game. Cell cameras and cameras in general seem like they’re just a scape goat. I don’t get why they are such a hot ticket item to ban. |