Press Releases and Articles
"Springtime" on the Range
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By Edward Bottum, Wildlife Habitat Biologist Southwest Region I had the most remarkable, wonderful and satisfying day at work last month. For most of that very windy day, I was walking up, down and around steep, rocky, sometimes snowy slopes sowing sagebrush seed over areas burned in wildfires last summer. I spent… moreAsk the Conservation Officer (CO)
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by Gary Hompland Regional Conservation Officer Idaho Department of Fish and Game Question: "I've read several articles about the mule deer initiative(MDI),and since I'm an avid mule deer hunter, I'm ecstatic that the Department is so focused on improving mule deer populations. What can I do to help?" Answer: The… moreCraig Mountain WMA Gates to Close
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With area big game animals returning to higher elevations, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will close gates on the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area March 15. The closure date was selected in cooperation with local snowmobile groups and hunters to reduce disturbance of game animals and provide security to… moreRed River Restoration Benefits Both Wildlife and People
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By Miles Benker - Idaho Department of Fish and Game Increasing habitat improvement work on state wildlife management areas helps wildlife and fish. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game manages 32 wildlife management areas ranging in size from a few hundred acres to more than 78,000 acres. In almost all cases,… moreNo ESA Listing for Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last week that a status review shows that Endangered Species Act listing is not warranted for the Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Though found at lower than historic levels, stable, viable and self-sustaining populations of the fish are widely distributed throughout its… moreAsk Fish and Game
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Q. Why do I have to take a hunter education course if I am a member of the military? Obviously, I have had weapons training. A. Hunter education classes cover much more than weapon safety. Idaho law requires that everyone born January 1, 1975 or later to take hunter education unless they can present proof such as… moreYour Local Fish and Game - A Community Partner?
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Part I By Jim Lukens, Salmon Regional Supervisor When someone mentions Fish and Game, most people think about selling licenses and tags, Conservation Officers looking for poachers, the fish truck stocking trout, check stations, setting rules and regulations along with various other tasks we typically perform. Rarely… moreRed River Restoration Benefits Wildlife and People
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By Miles Benker The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is increasing its wildlife habitat improvement work on state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in order to help wildlife and fisheries. The department manages 32 WMAs ranging in size from a few hundred acres to over 78,000 acres. In almost all cases, these… moreCraig Mountain Gates Close March 15
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With area big game animals returning to higher elevations, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) will close gates on the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area March 15. The closure date was selected in cooperation with local snowmobile groups and hunters to reduce disturbance of game animals and provide… moreAsk the Conservation Officer (CO)
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by Gary Hompland, Regional Conservation Officer Question: "I need to take a hunter education class so I can go turkey hunting this spring. How do I get enrolled in a class?" Answer: "Now is the time to act" for anyone wishing to take a hunter or bow hunter education class for spring time hunting opportunities.… moreHunters need to remember ethics
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JEROME - Hunter ethics has been debated for years, and with the changing times and the number of people moving into Idaho, it is still a hot topic on the minds of hunters and non hunters alike. What are ethics? Aldo Leopold, the "father of wildlife management," once said, "ethical behavior is doing the right… moreIdaho Fish and Game Honors Dave Pinther for Hunter/Bowhunter Education
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RUPERT - For Dave Pinther of Rupert, hunting is part of the life; whether he is out in the field, working at the Rupert Trading Post selling a gun to a customer, or in the classroom teaching new students safety and the regulation of the sport. "I love hunting and fishing," said Pinther. "I live in a small community… moreElk numbers up in Unit 48
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JEROME - The wintering elk population in Game Management Unit 48 has nearly doubled, according to a recent aerial survey conducted by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. In the three days of flying, biologists counted 638 cows, 124 bulls, 320 calves, and 113 animals they were unable to classify because of ground… moreHunt Rules Changed Little
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Big game hunters who liked last fall's seasons will find 2006 hunting seasons and rules much the same. Meeting in Boise March 1-3, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved the department's proposals for seasons this fall with only minor modifications in a couple of regions. Finalized seasons will now go into… moreSouthwest ATV Restrictions Delayed
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Restrictions on hunters' use of motor vehicles will not be expanded in the Southwest Region in 2006 hunting seasons. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission put off for a year a regional staff proposal to apply existing motor vehicle rules to additional game management units in the Southwest Region. The motor vehicle… moreFish and Game Works to Improve Handicap Access
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Hunters and anglers with disabilities increasingly have access opportunities at Idaho Department of Fish and Game facilities. Fish and Game Communications Bureau Chief Roger Fuhrman outlined the effort to provide access to the Idaho of Fish and Game Commission during the recent big-game season-setting meeting in Boise… moreWolf Proposal Will Go to Feds in 30 Days
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The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has given Fish and Game officials up to 30 days to revise a proposal to remove up to 43 wolves in two game management units in the Clearwater Region. Meeting in Boise March 1-3, Commissioners agreed unanimously to have biologists incorporate suggestions from peer reviews and public… moreDraft Sage Grouse Plan Released
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The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has released a draft of a new state-wide sage grouse conservation plan for public review and comment. The plan is available at: http://www.fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/grouse/conserve_plan/. Comments on the draft plan will be accepted until April 21. The "2006 Conservation… more