Idaho’s 2026 Hunting Technology Rules
Regulations around advanced technology in Idaho’s hunting seasons was a hot topic during the 2026 legislative session. Because the final law that was ultimately passed differed from the initial rules that were proposed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, it’s worth recapping where we are for the upcoming fall season.
Main Takeaways:
House Bill 939 imposes some key restrictions on certain technologies for the hunting and scouting of big game and upland birds in the fall season, with some notable exceptions. Here is a quick overview of what the new restrictions are, as well as a list of exceptions that the bill calls out specifically. Except where noted in the Exceptions section below, the below technologies will be prohibited in the hunting and scouting of big game and upland birds between August 30 and December 31, beginning with the 2026 season:
Thermal imaging technology
Night vision technology
Transmitting trail cameras on land owned by the federal government, the state of Idaho, or a local government within the state
Drone aircraft or other unmanned aircraft systems
EXCEPTIONS:
The above restrictions DO NOT apply in the following cases:
Hunting wolves, mountain lions, or predatory wildlife
Monitoring, preventing, or controlling damage to livestock, other domestic animals, or crops
Retrieving wounded game animals or game birds
Monitoring buildings or personal property for the deterrence of theft
Monitoring traps
How we got here:
The Hunting and Advanced Technology (HAT) working group that was organized by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, proposed a series of recommended restrictions on technology use in hunting seasons that were broadly similar to the above, dealing specifically with ungulates.
In response to concerns that regulations applying only to ungulates would be difficult to enforce, IDFG proposed broader restrictions that applied to all big game species. Under this proposal, these technologies would have been prohibited for the hunting of game such as wolves in addition to ungulates such as deer and elk.
Ultimately, the Legislature decided to reject IDFG’s proposed rule and pass House Bill 939 in its place. This kept the spirit of the original HAT committee recommendations while carving out the most controversial pieces of the rule proposed by IDFG.
What’s Next
This will almost certainly not be the last time that advanced technology in hunting seasons is addressed in the Idaho Legislature. Black bears, for example, were not included in the exceptions in HB 939, and that may be addressed in a future session. Some of the enforcement concerns are legitimate, and issues that come up there as these restrictions are implemented in the field will need to be worked on over time. But for now, the language in HB 939 is what applies for the upcoming season.
