Ask Fish and Game: Short-range Weapons

Mon, 10/24/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

Q. Can I use a pistol in a short-range deer season? A. Beginning last year, the use of handguns using straight-walled center-fire cartridges not originally developed for rifles was approved for use in big game short-range weapon hunts.

Rural Residents Urged To Prevent Conflicts With Bears

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

A bumper crop of apples means that rural residents in the Upper Snake Region need to care for their apple trees to avoid a bumper crop of bear conflicts. "So far, I've investigated four different sites where trees loaded with apples have had any limbs that bears could reach torn down," Senior Conservation Officer… more

F&G Commission to Meet in Coeur d'Alene next Month

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet November 9, 10 and 11 in Coeur d'Alene. A public comment period begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 9. The commission's routine agenda includes appointing a commission representative to Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. A complete agenda will be posted… more

Lessons Learned from Ruffed Grouse Research in Idaho

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

By David Musil - Idaho Department of Fish and Game Idaho is rich with a variety of game birds, but one that has taken the backseat in popularity to quail, chukars and pheasants is the ruffed grouse, relegated to "camp meat" by some big game hunters. Yet a growing number of us realize and appreciate the challenges… more

Boise Man Loses Hunting License for Life, Three Times

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

By Matt O'Connell - Idaho Department of Fish and Game John Hoffman, 58, of Boise, was one of the first poaching offenders in Idaho whose hunting privileges were revoked for life for his involvement in the infamous 1997 Cascade area railroad case. The case involved several railroad employees who were investigated… more

October Issue of Wildlife Express Now Available

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

When you think of a parasite, what jumps into your mind? The October issue covers parasites, from ticks to tapeworms, including a section on how Idaho's Wildlife Health Laboratory helps keep humans and wildlife healthy. Parasitism is a relationship in which one organism gets benefits from another organism often… more

Ask Fish and Game: Make the Call

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

Q. What should I do if I think I see a hunter doing something illegal while I'm out hunting? A. Get as much information as possible, such as a description of the person or persons, a description and license number of any vehicles, and note the location. Then "Make the Call" to the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at… more

Salvage Order Issued for Jensen Grove

Fri, 10/14/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

The Southeast Region ofice of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has been notified by the cty of Blackfoot that water will no longer enter the pond at Jensen Grove Park during the last week of October. Fish in Jensen Grove's pond will not survive when water levels become unsuitable. Therefore, Fish and Game is… more

Horsethief Reservoir Camping Closed for the Season

Wed, 10/12/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

Camping at Idaho Fish and Game's Horsethief Reservoir Fishing Area in Valley County is closed for the season. Year-round day use fishing opportunity on the reservoir remains open, but camping is permitted only between May 1 and September 20 each year. Seasonal closures are not unique as many Idaho state parks and… more

Southwest Idaho Waterfowl Seasons Open October 15

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

Waterfowl seasons open in southwestern and south-central Idaho on Saturday, October 15; seasons already are open in the rest of the state. Seasons are: Area 2: All or parts of Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls and Washington counties: For… more

Pheasant Hunt Opens Saturday in Northern Idaho

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

The regular pheasant season opens Saturday, October 8, in northern Idaho Area 1. The season opens in the rest of the state-Areas 2 and 3-on Saturday, October 15. Shooting hours start one-half hour before sunrise and end one-half hour after sunset in all three areas, except on Fort Boise, C.J. Strike, Montour and… more

Deer Season Opens in October in Most of Idaho

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

The regular deer season opens October 10 in most regions of Idaho. In some areas, a regular deer tag allows hunters to take either mule deer or white-tailed deer. A white-tailed deer tag allows hunters to take only a white-tail. Many areas across the state also offer antlerless youth hunt opportunities, but check… more

Big Game Hunters: Keep Predators in Mind

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

As big game hunters take to the woods, they are reminded that they are not alone at the top of the food chain. Each year, Idaho Fish and Game receives reports of wolves being attracted to hunters as they call elk, wolves visiting hunting camps and large predators eating carcasses that were not properly hung.… more

Hunters, Anglers Must Stop at F&G Check Stations

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

With the opening of the general deer season, Idaho Fish and Game enforcement officers will be setting up check stations across the state at major access points to hunting units with open seasons. All hunters and anglers are required to stop at check stations, whether they have any game animals or fish in the vehicle… more

Ask Fish and Game: Hunter Orange

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

Q. Am I always supposed to wear hunter orange while hunting? A. Hunter orange is required only when hunting the nine Idaho Fish and Game wildlife management areas where pheasants are stocked. The areas are Fort Boise, C.J. Strike, Payette River, Montour, Sterling, Market Lake, Mud Lake, Cartier Slough and Niagara… more

No Salvage Planned for Richfield Canal

Tue, 10/04/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

As the watering season draws to a close across the Magic Valley, irrigation canals and ditches will begin to be drain. Fish in these systems will be open for salvage everywhere but on the Big Wood River below Magic Reservoir Dam and the Richfield Canal. "With the amount of water we have in the Big Wood system and… more

Women Hunting, Fishing Photos Wanted

Tue, 10/04/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is looking for your photos of Magic Valley women hunters and anglers for the 2012 sportsmen's calendar. This is the third year for the sportsmen's calendar. The calendar is a convenient way for sportsmen to keep track of season openers, application times, and local events of… more

Hunters and Hikers: Be Aware of Bears

Tue, 10/04/2011 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

Hunters and other people spending time in the woods should be aware that bears can be encountered at almost any elevation at this time of year. "Many of the bears are still up high looking for huckleberries," Idaho Fish and Game wildlife biologist Wayne Wakkinen said. "But some bears move to lower elevation areas… more