Idaho Fish and Game to Host Public Meeting on E-Tagging for Game Birds

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Idaho Fish and Game will hold a public meeting, both in-person and virtually, to gather comments on a proposed rulemaking that would explore expanding electronic tagging (e-tagging) options for game birds such as turkeys and pheasants. The goal is to modernize the tagging process and eliminate the need for physical paper tags in the field.

Why it matters

E-tagging has already been implemented for anglers harvesting salmon and steelhead, and expanding this digital validation system to game birds could help mitigate issues with faded, washed-out, or lost paper tags. This rulemaking is part of Fish and Game's efforts to streamline processes and adapt to changing technology.

The details

The proposed rulemaking would allow for e-tagging validation of turkeys and Wildlife Management Area-planted pheasants initially, with potential to expand to other game birds like cranes, sage-grouse, and swans in the future. This would create provisions around the application of the e-tagging validation methodology. Rulemaking is a different process than setting season and bag limits, as it involves legislative approval.

• The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
• Fish and Game is initiating this rulemaking process in April 2026.

What’s next

After the public meeting, Idaho Fish and Game will continue the rulemaking process, which includes legislative approval, before any changes to game bird tagging requirements are implemented.