Press Releases and Articles
2026 Upland Game Bird Forecast
| idfg-cliess
Co-authored by Upland Game and Migratory Gamebird Coordinator Jeff Knetter & Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess
Idaho, with one of the most rugged landscapes in the union, offers a ton of upland game bird hunting opportunities. Whether you find yourself in the high-mountain timber or the lowland-… more
New access easement opens route to public lands in Kelsaw Canyon
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Hunters and recreationists will now have access into Kelsaw Canyon in game management unit 57 this falls thanks to a partnership between Arimo Corporation, the U.S. Forest Service, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
The access provides a route into public lands in Kelsaw Canyon.
However, hunters… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for September 2026 in the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
Fish and Game staff will be stocking over 6,500 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations across the Clearwater Region in September!
September fish stocking schedule for the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower
Stocking Logo for the Upper Snake
IDFG removes young black bear from a Pocatello neighborhood
| idfg-jjackson
On the morning of Aug. 31, Idaho Fish and Game received a report of a young black bear in the backyard of a residence in a south valley neighborhood of Pocatello. David Dressel and Jon Dixon, both regional wildlife biologists with Fish and Game, responded to find a young bear climbing a fence and foraging on berries.… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for September 2026
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 110,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this September. Wondering if the stocking trucks are going to be backing up to your favorite fishing hole? We asked our Fish and Game hatchery staff to boil down some of the most… more
2026 Deer and Elk Hunting Outlook
| idfg-cliess
OVERVIEWDeer and elk hunters, you know the drill.
Each year, Idaho Fish and Game brings you the annual Deer and Elk Hunting Outlook, a must-read, handy guide that lays out everything — and I mean everything — hunters need and should want to know about deer and elk trends leading up to the fall opener.
… more
What hunters need to know about CWD requirements for 2026
| idfg-cliess
Hunters in 2026 will have a mandatory testing requirement for chronic wasting disease for deer in seven hunting units, including the addition of Units 64 and 69 near Idaho Falls.
After two consecutive years of no CWD detections, Units 24 and 32A were removed from mandatory testing requirements. Testing is… more
IDFG completes elk depredation reduction effort in Big Willow drainage
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game recently completed the depredation reduction project in the Big Willow Creek drainage, located northwest of Emmett within Unit 32. The effort was undertaken to reduce a year-round, nonmigratory elk herd that has caused sustained agricultural damage on private land and was carried out in coordination… more
Rocky Point wildlife underpasses near completion, promising safer drive on US-30
| idfg-jjackson
The following is a joint press release from Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Idaho Fish and Game, and Idaho Transportation Department.
Construction of three wildlife underpasses on U.S. Highway 30 south of Montpelier will be completed this fall, improving safety for people while protecting migrating… more
Edson Fichter Nature Talks returning to Pocatello in September
| idfg-jjackson
The popular Edson Fichter Nature Talks series is returning to Pocatello for its sixth year this September. Take this opportunity to learn more about wildlife, habitats, and fossil history connected to this area through this free lecture series co-sponsored by Friends of Edson Fichter Nature Area and Idaho Fish and Game… more
Important dates to help plan your September
| idfg-cliess
From tags sales to general season openers, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during September that you should be aware of. Staying in the loop can be the difference between applying for that coveted controlled hunt tag and watching from the sidelines.
Be sure to stay up to date on all Fish and Game… more
Low-level aerial spraying flights to occur in the Magic Valley Region beginning Sept. 1
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Those looking to recreate in the South Hills, Soldier, and Smoky Mountains in September may see a low-flying helicopter spraying pre-emergent herbicide on the hillsides in game management units 43, 44, 48, and 54 to control the spread of invasive annual grasses, such as cheatgrass.
The best way to combat… more
Conservation officers seeking information on mule deer does shot and left to waste in the Fall Creek drainage
| idfg-jbrower
Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are asking for the public’s help in solving a case involving two mule deer does that were shot and left to waste in the Fall Creek drainage of Game Management Unit 66.
The animals were discovered lying just off the shoulder of the road approximately two miles up the Fall… more
Payette Lake produces new state catch-and-release lake trout — yes, again
| idfg-cliess
By now, if you follow Idaho Fish and Game’s stringer of record fish stories, you’re well aware that there’s one lake that comes to mind when you mention the words lake trout: Payette Lake. But if not, allow me to bring you up to speed.
Bringing back Payette’s lake troutLake trout (also known as… more
Second controlled hunt draw results now online
| idfg-cliess
Results of the second controlled hunt drawing for elk, deer, pronghorn, and black bear have been posted through Fish and Game’s licensing system.
Log in to your account at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com to see if you drew a controlled hunt tag.
Applicants who provided an email address will receive an… more
Kendrick hunter overcomes limited vision to return to the field
| idfg-jbruns
For Tom Perrigo of Kendrick, Idaho, the moment he had spent weeks preparing for had finally arrived. The rifle was ready, and Luke Austin was watching the live image from the scope. Perrigo has only 1–2% of his vision remaining because of retinitis pigmentosa, so returning to rifle hunting meant finding a way to bridge… more