5 new tips for OHV hunters in Idaho ... online maps, videos and more ... Have a great hunt!

Hi all,

The Idaho OHV Public Outreach Campaign has created a new web page for hunters who use off-highway vehicles to reach their camps and hunting areas. We wanted to share our 5 tips for a safe and legal hunting experience in Idaho. According to the latest survey, more than 70 percent of the 240,000 people who hunt big game in the state of Idaho (residents and nonresidents) use OHVs as part of their hunt.

The big challenge when you're an OHV rider during hunting season is to figure out what hunting units and specific trails are open to OHV use. It's not enough to just check on the U.S. Forest Service
or BLM travel plan map. You also have to check the Idaho Department of Fish and Game hunting regulations.

Our tips are meant to help demystify that admittedly challenging process. At least more of these resources are online than ever before.

Here you go:

1. Do your homework and know what specific areas or hunting units are open to OHVs during big game hunting seasons ... Good sources of information:

•      National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps     
•         BLM Travel Maps  
•         IDFG big game regulations for additional restrictions that apply to big game hunters
•         IDPR Statewide Online Map
•         Hunting tips video 
  
  

2. Stay on designated trails. Cross-country riding is illegal on most Forest Service and BLM lands, and it is destructive to the environment. Responsible riders know that.     

3. Use your trail machine to scout for game and access your hunting camp, but it's illegal to shoot big game animals from your OHV. (Hunters with a disabled permit are exempt from this rule). 

4. Utility Terrain Vehicles wider than 50 inches are not allowed on ATV trails or singletrack trails. UTVs wider than 50 inches should travel on dirt roads and/or two-track roads that are open during hunting season.

5. Park your OHV if you need to leave a trail or road to retrieve a big game animal. 

We hope you have a safe and productive hunt! Please feel free to share this information with your hunting buddies. And if you have feedback on our tips, please let us know!