I just read an editorial by the IDFG. Apparently there are rumors floating around that lighted nocks and expanding broadheads are now legal in Idaho. Not true. Neither is legal.

Just curious, why are lighted nocks illegal?

lighted nocks don't make sense RE being illegal.

OTOH I've never seen a need to have a lighted nock over my archery years. I can't think of a single time it would have made any difference.

You can not have any electronic devices attached to the bow or arrow.

Having hunted with and without them I will always opt for using them now when legal and I have them.

The ability to see very clearly the impact, plus the amount of penetration and at times seeing the arrow on the ground or in the bush behind the target makes finding it quick and easy.

On occasion you are blood tracking and find the arrow on the trail, maybe you lose the blood track but see the lighted nock in the distance to jump ahead and start tracking from that point.

I cannot see in anyway even slightly that they are an advantage to help you make a better shot or improve your odds of making the shot. They are however a huge advantage at game recovery especially in fading light which is the worst time to track anyway.

There is simply no downside to the use of a lighted nock. Only recovery advantages!

Oh ..... there is an undeniable cool factor when using them while on video. Seeing that laser light streak through the air and then the impact is about as good as it gets. Being able to watch this video a frame at a time also makes it easier to see the impact point and know where your shot actually hit.

I have a light on my bow site. I would assume that's electronic and would make my rig illegal?

In Idaho it's illegal. Tritium pins are ok. At one time the rule also applied to rifles but they changed it a few years ago so electronic scopes are now legal.

Idaho has made some rules to keep 'primitive' weapons a bit more primitive compared to the most modern stuff. We can't use expanding broadheads, either. Crossbows can be used in rifle seasons but not in archery seasons. Muzzle loaders can't have scopes or use 209 primers for caps. Powder must be loose, no pellets.

Idhao has held a line for as long as I can remember that primitive weapons must not be electronically aided in the aiming system in any way.

They allow fiber optic sights on bows and muzzleloaders, but not much else other than what RC pointed out.

I think the same is true in Montana.

Pennsylvania's Primitive Weapons season only allows for flintlocks with open sights, and I believe it specifically says you must shoot a patched round ball.

Idaho allows percussion caps and peep sights. Caps must be visible and exposed to the weather when it's cocked. Lead non-jacketed bullets are ok but no sabots. In all, it pretty much limits you to Kentucky or Hawken style rifles.

But back to the arrows...Idaho has an archery regulation that prohibits the use of arrows where the broadhead does not precede the nock and shaft. Years ago someone invented an arrow with the head at the rear. I've never seen one, or even a picture of one, so I can't imagine what it looked like. I started bowhunting in the 60's and it was before that. Whatever it was, it's prohibited. My Google-foo failed to find a pic of one.

I said earlier that Idaho allows tritium sight pins. That was an error. I meant to say fiber optics sights. Tritium is prohibited.

Lighted mocks would help in the recovery of game. Something I wish Idaho would consider.

Wrong. This is legal in ID.