Ask Fish and Game: Depredation Hunts

Mon, 01/10/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

Q. How do I get to participate in a depredation hunt this year? A. Hunters can sign up to participate in depredation hunts - special controlled hunts used to relieve big game damage problems on agricultural crops - for deer, elk and pronghorn in areas they are willing to hunt in 2011 when the Big Game Seasons and… more

Fish and Game Seeks Information on Poaching of 4 Deer

Fri, 01/07/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

Idaho Fish and Game is seeking information concerning the poaching of four deer over the past week in Bingham and Power Counties. The first two deer were found near McTucker Ponds in Bingham County. The two does were shot and left in a corn field on or about December 26. The third doe was found December 30, at the… more

Sportsmen's Chili Cook-Off

Wed, 01/05/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will host the third annual Sportsmen's Chili Cook-Off from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, January 13, at the Jerome regional office, 324 South 417 East, Highway 93 Business Park. Participants are invited to bring their favorite chili or just come and try the different flavors on for… more

Trophy Species Open House in Jerome

Wed, 01/05/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

Idaho Fish and Game will host a trophy species open house from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, January, 13 at the Jerome regional office, 324 South 417 East, Highway 93 Business Park. Sportsmen can also attend a chili cook-off and feed on the same evening from 6:30 to 9 p.m. "We have several proposed changes for the… more

Motorists Cautioned About Elk on Highway 26 Near Ririe

Wed, 01/05/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

Idaho Fish and Game is working to make the public aware of a herd of 200 to 300 elk that have left the Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area east of Idaho Falls and moved into fields adjacent to State Highway 26 near Ririe. "The elk are in very good condition, not looking for forage, and the main reason that they are… more

2010 Brought Tragedy, Successes for Fish and Game

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

For Idaho Fish and Game, 2010 was the worst of times, the best of times. The agency suffered two helicopter accidents, one with injuries only and the other with three fatalities; completed its first regulated wolf hunt only to have wolves returned to the endangered species list; and experienced one of the best salmon… more

Some Hunting Seasons Still Open

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

Most big game hunting seasons have ended, but there's still plenty of hunting open through the end of the month and through the winter. Seasons are open for geese, ducks, coots and common snipe through January 14 in the northern and eastern parts of the state and through January 21 in the southwest. In the uplands… more

Clearwater River Otter Season to Close January 6

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

The river otter trapping quota for the Clearwater Region was reached at 1:30 p.m., Monday, January 3. The otter season for the entire region closes 72 hours after the harvest quota has been met. As a result, the otter season for the region will close at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, January 6. Trappers will be allowed to… more

Application Period for Spring Controlled Hunts Coming Up

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

The application period for spring turkey and black bear controlled hunts starts January 15, and runs through February 15. Spring turkey and spring black bear seasons start April 15 - some controlled hunts open later. Leftover tags for spring turkey and bear controlled hunts go on sale April 1. Hunters may apply for… more

Fish and Game Commission to Meet in Boise in January

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet January 26, 27 and 28 in Boise. A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 26, at Fish and Game headquarters, 600 S. Walnut, Boise. The commission's agenda items include setting seasons for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat for 2011 and 2012; a… more

Super Hunt Entries on Sale Now

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

There's plenty of time to buy a chance at the hunt of a lifetime. Entries in this year's first Super Hunt and Super Hunt Combo drawing must be received at the Fish and Game headquarters by May 31 with the drawing set for June 15. So what's a Super Hunt? It is a fund-raising drawing for 40 big game tags. The… more

Bald Eagle Days Feature Raptor Viewing

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

The 12th annual Bald Eagle Days, January 29, will feature events for all ages, including viewing bald eagles and other wildlife along the Boise River. Bald Eagle Day, the signature event of the annual festivities, runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, January 29, at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, 5657 Warm Springs… more

Ask Fish and Game: Ice Fishing Rules

Tue, 01/04/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

Q. If I can have five poles for ice fishing, does a two-pole permit mean I can have 10? A. No. Ice fishing rules are slightly different than general fishing for public safety and general crowding. Fishing is allowed only through a hole up to 10 inches in diameter. This reduces the risk of someone falling through holes… more

Otter Trapping Quota Reached In Panhandle, Season Closed

Tue, 12/28/2010 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has announced that the river otter harvest quota of 15 otters for the Panhandle Region was reached at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 28. The otter season for the entire region closes 72 hours after the harvest quota has been met. This will occur at 10 a.m. Friday, December 31.… more

New Fishing Seasons and Rules Book Available

Mon, 12/27/2010 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

Fishing seasons and rules for 2011-2012 are now available, but anglers should note the new format and a few significant changes. New fishing rules take effect January 1. Anglers will find the new brochure in an easier to read format and 16 pages shorter. All the rules are presented by region, eliminating the need… more

Moose, Sheep and Goat Changes Proposed

Mon, 12/27/2010 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

Idaho Fish and Game proposed changes to moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat rules and seasons for 2011-2012. The proposed changes will be submitted to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for considered and action during the annual meeting January 27. The proposals are available for review and comment from Fish… more

Salmon River Tributaries Important to Fish

Mon, 12/27/2010 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

By Bob Esselman - Idaho Department of Fish and Game Even after years of working on Idaho's rivers and streams, a fisheries project can still amaze me. This past summer I got to enjoy one of those pleasant surprises. As both a fish biologist and an avid angler, I know that the cold, flowing water of a tributary… more

Spring Steelhead Season Opens Saturday

Mon, 12/27/2010 - 00:00 | idfg-lfrench

The steelhead spring harvest season opens Saturday, January 1, on parts of the Clearwater, the Salmon, the Little Salmon, the Snake and the Boise rivers. The steelhead limit is three per day, nine in possession and 20 for the season. Once limits are reached, the angler must stop fishing, even catch and release. On… more