Boise, ID Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Covers
- All Boise-owned parks, Greenbelt, Zoo Boise
- Prohibited
- Hunt, harm, feed, or trap birds
- Nests/eggs
- Illegal to take or possess
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine
- Enforced by
- Police, Parks Director, code officers
Summary
Boise bans hunting, harming, feeding, or taking eggs or nests of any bird in city parks, greenbelt, and Zoo Boise grounds.
Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, annoy, feed, shoot or throw missiles or objects at any animal, reptile or bird including those confined to the Zoo Boise; nor shall any person remove or be in possession of the young of any wild animal, or the eggs or nest, or young of any reptile or bird...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-31: Code current through: Ord. 20-26, passed 6-9-2026).
Full Breakdown
Boise City Code § 7-7A-2(C) bars anyone in a city park from hunting, molesting, harming, frightening, killing, trapping, chasing, teasing, feeding, or throwing objects at any bird, including birds confined at Zoo Boise. It's also illegal to remove or possess a wild bird's eggs, nest, or young, or to collect, sell, or buy any specimen taken from park land. A separate clause bars giving birds or waterfowl tobacco, alcohol, or other noxious substances. Police officers, the Parks Director, or an authorized representative can eject violators under § 7-7A-12, and the offense is a misdemeanor under § 7-7A-13.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor under Boise City Code § 1-4-1: up to a $1,000 fine, up to 6 months in the Ada County Jail, or both; violators may also be ejected from the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed ducks or geese at a Boise park pond?
Is it illegal to take a bird's nest from a Boise park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boise
Compare Boise to another location·View the Idaho animal ordinances overview
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