More Information Report A Poacher Citizens Against Poaching - CAP Make the Call Become A Conservation Officer Wildlife Violator Compact POST - Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy Remembering Law Enforcement Heroes - Memorials for fallen IDFG officers. 2007 Annual Report [PDF, 2.6 MB]

Law Enforcement Program

After Idaho statehood and before 1938, fish and game statutes were enforced by state game wardens - political appointees who served at the pleasure of the governor. In 1938, a citizens' referendum established the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, which removed Department staff from direct political control and made possible a truly professional resource agency focused on a single mission: preserving and perpetuating fish and wildlife resources. Statutes written to accomplish this were enforceable by any IDFG employee. Over the years, the Department's enforcement responsibilities expanded to include boating regulations, water resources and state lands statutes, and livestock rustling laws.

Conservation officers handled most of this activity, in addition to enforcing fish and game laws and collecting scientific data. They learned on the job, with little formal training except firearm instruction alongside local sheriff or police department personnel. They also assisted local, state and federal law-enforcement personnel upon demand, even though they had no arrest powers until the late 1970's. When the Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Academy opened in 1970, POST certification became mandatory for all Idaho conservation officers.

In the late 1970's, the Idaho Conservation Officers Association, the Idaho Sheriffs Association and numerous other law enforcement officials from across Idaho lobbied the state legislature to grant peace officer status to IDFG conservation officers. Convinced of the need, the legislature approved the measure in 1978.

Today's conservation officer is a highly-trained professional. Officer trainees-enforcement technicians are required to attend and successfully complete POST Academy instruction and field training exercises while working alongside veteran conservation officers. Trainees study IDFG statutes, Commission Rules, officer safety, public relations, enforcement situations and Department policy. The veteran officers continually evaluate each technician for 10 weeks to determine if he or she will be hired as a conservation officer. Training continues throughout officers' careers. All attend 12 to 16 hours of specialized courses, such as defensive training, twice a year. They must qualify with their sidearm every six months; those who routinely carry shotguns and /or rifles must qualify with these weapons every 12 months. Officers may attend other training seminars when available.