Skip to main content
idfg-badge

Idaho Fish and Game

Press Releases and Articles

Wildlife workshops to be offered in Boise, Jerome

| idfg-mdemick

Project WILD is offering two workshops this fall and early winter for adults who want to share the wonders of Idaho's natural resources with the next generation. While Project WILD is a wildlife-focused conservation education program for K-12 educators, you don't have to be a teacher to participate. The workshops are… more

Ask Fish and Game: 209 Black Powder Primers

| idfg-mdemick

Q: Why are 209 black powder primers not allowed during muzzleloader-only seasons? A: Muzzleloader rifles are considered primitive weapons and hunters choosing to hunt muzzleloader-only seasons are often able to take advantage of special opportunities not available to modern center fire rifle hunters. To maintain… more

Warm October hasn't favored hunters, but harvest is good

| idfg-estansbury

By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist Hunters are reporting good numbers of deer and elk, but weather hasn't been cooperative for prime hunting conditions. Many deer hunters have been in the woods for the general, any-weapon season since Oct. 10, and any-weapon elk hunters weren't far… more

Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule for Southwest Idaho

| idfg-mdemick

Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 15,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during November. Please note that McDevitt Pond in Boise will not be stocked in November due to weed treatment efforts at the pond. LOCATION - WEEK STOCKED - NUMBER OF TROUT… more

Dry Bed Fish Salvage Starts Now

| idfg-mdemick

The start of April normally marks the beginning of a unique angling experience in Eastern Idaho, but this year the special salvage opportunity is starting right now, owing to headgate work being done by the Great Feeder Canal Company. Maintenance work on the headgates is routine enough that an annual salvage fishery… more

Hunters need to take extra care with meat during warm weather

| idfg-lfrench

With many big-game hunts underway and warmer-than-usual weather in October, hunters should bring ice or take other precautions to ensure game meat doesn't spoil. The keys to preserving a big-game carcass is to get it cooled as quickly as possible, and ideally, keep the meat between 34 and 40 degrees. Getting it… more

Fish and Game releases young grizzlies trapped in October

| idfg-lfrench

The two male yearling grizzly bear cubs were released in a remote portion of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest near Yellowstone National Park on Oct. 9. The yearlings and their mother were trapped on Oct. 8, near Chester, Idaho. Because of the sow's prior conflicts and poor body condition, Fish and Game personnel… more

Pheasant stocking underway at nine Wildlife Management Areas

| idfg-lfrench

Pheasant hunting is a popular form of upland game hunting, and hunters can find a place to hunt them at Fish and Game's Wildlife Management Areas. The department is stocking 15,800 male pheasants at the following areas during the hunting season: - Southwest Region: Fort Boise, Payette, Montour, and C.J. Strike WMAs… more

Improperly Discarded Big Game Bones and Hides Create Hazards

| idfg-lfrench

By Phil Cooper, Wildlife Conservation Educator Big game seasons are open and from all appearances hunters are out in high numbers. Last weekend I worked a check station near Coolin and there was a steady stream of hunters in camo and orange coming through. Hunters are hoping to put some healthy and nutritious meat… more

Fire at Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area Covers 300 Acres

| idfg-lfrench

On October 15, at approximately 1:30 PM a controlled burned aimed at removing dead vegetation from Pond 2 at the Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) jumped fire lines and began to burn uncontrolled. The actual fire management had been contracted to the St. Anthony Work Camp Fire Crew by the Idaho Department of… more

From field to freezer: tips for processing your big game animal

| idfg-mdemick

By Roger Phillips, Public Information Specialist You successfully shot a deer, elk or other big game animal. Now the work begins. You want to properly process the animal so you get many healthy, enjoyable meals from it. Here's the basic cheat sheet: Gut it, skin it, keep it clean and keep it cool. But you… more

Waterfowl and pheasant seasons to open in most of Idaho October 17

| idfg-mdemick

Most of Idaho will open for waterfowl hunting on Oct. 17, excluding Area 1 in southeast Idaho which opened Oct. 3. The statewide daily bag limit is seven ducks; but not more than two female mallard, three scaup, two redhead, two pintail, and two canvasback. The daily goose bag limit is four Canada geese; 10… more

Hunters and anglers reminded about cold water boat safety

| idfg-mdemick

With the onset of autumn and resulting cold air and water temperatures, waterfowl hunters and anglers are urged to take precautions and wear life jackets while on the water this fall. In 2014, seventy percent of all fatal boating accidents victims nationwide drowned, and of those, eighty-four percent were not wearing… more

Hunters should exercise caution in burned areas

| idfg-lfrench

While fire season is winding down or over in most parts of the state, hunters still need to be vigilant of hazards associated with recently burned areas. Hunters are reminded that wildfires can still occur during fall, and they should always be careful with campfires, barbecues, motors (chainsaws, generators, ATVs),… more

Ask Fish and Game: Contacting Fish and Game outside normal business hours

| idfg-mdemick

Q: What is the best way to contact a Fish and Game officer on weekends or after hours? A: Outside of regular business hours, contact the local sheriff's department, the state police, or any law enforcement authority. They will route pertinent information quickly and efficiently to officers in the field by radio… more

Yearling Grizzly Bears Released

| idfg-lfrench

On October 9, 2015, the Idaho Department of Fish… more

Family Outdoor Festival Planned November 7 near Lava Hot Springs

| idfg-mdemick

Are you looking for some outdoor fun for the whole family without having to travel very far or pack all your gear? Then look no further than the Third Annual Family Outdoor Festival scheduled for Saturday, November 7, at Smith's Trout Haven in Lava Hot Springs. From 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., this special day will be… more

Fish and Game Traps Sow Grizzly and Two Cubs Near Chester

| idfg-mdemick

A sow grizzly and her two yearling cubs that had been previously relocated for getting into human-related foods near Cody, Wyoming were trapped on October 8, 2015, near Chester, Idaho. The bears had been relocated by Wyoming Game and Fish to the Jedidiah Smith Wilderness in Wyoming on September 21, 2015 but… more