Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved a 9-day chronic wasting disease surveillance hunt starting Aug. 24 with the goal of collecting additional samples to better understand disease prevalence and distribution. An adult white-tailed doe found dead in July tested positive for CWD about 3 miles from Bonners Ferry, which is the first positive CWD case in north Idaho.
Through Aug. 19, the sockeye return hit a record 2,835 fish counted at Lower Granite Dam about 30 miles downstream from Lewiston. That’s the highest sockeye return since fish counting started at the dam in 1975, topping the previous record of 2,786 fish in 2014. Unfortunately, many are sockeye that strayed from the Columbia River.
Idaho Fish and Game wants to hear from hunters regarding how nonresident deer and elk tags are issued. The purpose of the Non-Resident Tag Issuance Advisory Group is to review current processes for how Fish and Game issues general season deer and elk tags to nonresidents, and to develop recommendations to the Commission on potential changes and improvements.
Firewood permits must be with you during harvest and can be obtained at the IDFG office at 3316 16th St. in Lewiston. Permits cost $10/chord and are limited to 5 chords. Since Craig Mountain WMA has several different landowners, individuals cutting wood must have the correct permit depending on where they harvest. Each agency has their own permit
An instructor-led hunter & bowhunter combination course is scheduled Aug. 26-30, from 5-9 pm each evening in Salmon. This course will certify students in both hunter and bowhunter education and is designed for youth 9 years of age or anyone new to hunting.
In response to the Commission’s decision on Aug. 15, Idaho Fish and Game will conduct a surveillance hunt from Aug. 24 to Sept. 1. Stipulations for participating are different from those of general and controlled hunts in Idaho.
At the request of fire operations personnel, Idaho Fish and Game has closed the Horsethief Reservoir campgrounds as firefighters work to protect the area from the Snag Fire. Camping and day use will remain closed until further notice.
The second wave of Idaho Super Hunt drawing winners have been selected. Of the 49,125 total entries, 13,737 were for two deer tags, 15,064 were for two elk tags, 3,540 were for two pronghorn tags, 12,208 were for one moose tag, and 4,576 entries were for one Super Hunt Combo, which includes a tag for each of the four species.