Ada County, ID Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Ada County Code section 2-2-9(B), part of the chapter's 'Prohibited Acts On The Boise River,' makes it unlawful for anyone on the Boise River or the adjoining parks and waterways property to hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, annoy, shoot, or throw objects at any animal. The same subsection separately bars collecting nests or eggs from any wild bird or reptile unless the Parks and Waterways Director authorizes it in advance. The county carved out a narrow exception for its own wildlife-management work: staff from the Ada County Parks and Waterways Department, Idaho State Fish and Game, and Ada County Animal Control may take actions necessary to protect life or property, or to improve wildlife habitat, but only with the Director's approval.

The subsection closes by protecting anglers, stating that nothing in it prohibits lawful fishing activity on or in the Boise River. This provision sits within the broader Boise River chapter that also bans motorized watercraft above certain stretches, restricts firearms and other weapons capable of harming wildlife, and prohibits camping in the 200-foot Boise River area, all administered by the Ada County Parks and Waterways Department. The nest-and-egg rule applies in addition to whatever protections state and federal wildlife law separately provide.