Idaho has more seasons than just the traditional fall, winter, summer and spring: hunting season. Many of the state’s residents are hunters who participate in the abundance of hunting seasons available.
While many might look forward to big game seasons for larger animals who provide more meat and larger trophies, many hunters enjoy searching for small game as well. Small game is a category of animals like squirrels, ducks, rabbits, turkey and bobcats.
Currently, turkey season is now open for hunters. To hunt legally, hunters are required to purchase licenses for whichever season they wish and will need to abide by laws enforced by the Idaho Fish & Game Department. Rules and other information for hunting small game can be found on the Idaho Fish and Game website.
Part of what makes small game hunting appealing to hunters is that all a hunter needs is a hunting license, except for turkeys because of their popularity as a target. When hunting big game, tags are required and can be expensive.
There are some limits to how much one person can keep for small game every year, but hunters can gather a larger quantity of small game than they can big game. A hunter also doesn’t need big hunting rifles for hunting larger game which require pricey ammo, like .308-caliber. They can use rifles that shoot .22-caliber ammo or shotguns, which are cheaper.
Nate Hill, a college student at Montana State University, said he likes small game hunting because it’s relaxing. When he hunts for duck or geese, he sets up a blind in either a thick brush or on an island, then waits for the game to come to him.
“You can lay back, chillax and talk to people, you don’t have to be super quiet,” Hill said. “You can wait, throw out calls, it’s really fun.”
Larger game, like elk and deer, are generally more skittish and sensitive to sound, so there is a chance they will be gone before being seen if the hunter is being too noisy. Hunting big game doesn’t allow for large groups, while small game hunting can be done with a group of friends. Small game hunters can converse more freely with their friends than they would be able to if they were hunting big game.
Bradley Dammerman, the owner of the Idaho Whitetail Guides, said big game hunting is more of a challenge. It can cost a lot of money, which includes tags and gear, that can make the sport especially tough for new hunters.
Dammerman said small game hunting is a good way to introduce new hunters to the sport and have a great time.
“It’s a good way for kids to start out,” Dammerman said. “That’s what I get my kids involved in, taking them out grouse hunting and turkey hunting, prepping them for big game.”
Small game hunting helps kids and beginners get familiar with their guns when hunting, such as how to operate them and use them safely. It also gives them a great form of exercise and allows them to be more familiar with the outdoors.
Dammerman said he started out hunting small game as a kid, much like he has his own children doing, and it helped give him the experience to become a successful hunter later in life.
Ryan Hill can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @RyanHil32959860