Press Releases and Articles
Dust off your firearm or bow and get dialed in before the hunting season
| idfg-bpearson
In the middle of the summer, hunting season might seem like it’s still a long ways away, but this is the perfect time to prepare for success in the fall.
Hunting season isn’t as far away as one might think: There are hunts in a handful of elk zones that kick off as early as Aug. 1 (primarily… more
Bobcats abound in the Boise area and beyond
| idfg-sross
One of the greatest things about living in Idaho is the wide range of wildlife that can be seen at any time when you take a step outside your front door. As Idaho’s human population grows, the interface between the untamed and our urban communities also expands. Most of the time these interactions are quiet, memorable… more
Ririe Reservoir fishing update
| idfg-jheckel
Fisheries biologists completed their annual kokanee monitoring effort on Ririe Reservoir in early June. This annual monitoring effort consists of setting ten gill nets at standardized locations suspended in the thermocline, the depth at which water temperature is changing fastest. We estimated the second highest catch… more
Weekly Salmon Fishing Update – July 21, 2021
| idfg-csullivan
Welcome to our weekly Chinook Salmon Fishing Update. Each week, we will provide updates on seasons and rules and share data from creel surveys and hatchery returns to help anglers plan their salmon fishing trips.
There are no changes to the fisheries this week, please refer to the update from July 14 for the… more
F&G Commission approves purchases that could add 2,100 acres to Tex Creek WMA
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game Commission during its July meeting approved the purchase of three land parcels totaling 2,119 acres that will add to the Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area in Eastern Idaho. Funding will be provided by Bonneville Power Administration under the Southern Idaho Wildlife Mitigation Memorandum of… more
Sage-grouse hunters will have to buy tags for the 2021 season, which go on sale Aug. 1
| idfg-rphillips
Sage grouse hunters will have to buy tags designated for 12 zones for the 2021 season, and a total of 1,950 tags will be available on a first-come, first served basis starting Aug. 1.
Hunters must choose a single zone to hunt in, but the season has been expanded by more than a month in some zones. Each hunter… more
Yearling moose relocated out of a Twin Falls residential neighborhood
| idfg-tthompson
Residents of northeast Twin Falls had an unexpected visitor on Sunday, July 18, when they awoke to a yearling moose wandering throughout their neighborhood. Originally reported in the Kimberly area four days earlier, the moose slowly made its way into Twin Falls. While seeing a moose is an exciting event, having one… more
F&G commission changes swan tags to controlled hunt for 2021
| idfg-rphillips
At its July meeting, the Idaho Fish and Game commission adopted a controlled hunt drawing to distribute swan tags for the 2021 season. Because the initial fall controlled hunt application period for game birds (turkey) has already ended, the application period will coincide with the second big game controlled hunt… more
F&G Commission adds two new areas for pheasant stocking, delays opener for nonresident pheasant hunters
| idfg-rphillips
At its July meeting, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved two new locations for pheasant stocking, one in the Southeast Region and another in the Salmon Region. Commissioners also delayed the opening day for nonresident pheasant hunters - excluding youth hunts - to five days after the general season opens. … more
F&G partners with Latino Conservation Week to host 'Vamos A Pescar' on July 23
| idfg-rphillips
On Friday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Time, the Idaho Latino community is welcomed to join Vamos A Pescar – a virtual interactive webinar with fishing resources and opportunities in celebration of the 8th Annual Latino Conservation Week.
The webinar, in sponsorship with Hispanic Access Foundation, Idaho… more
Summer heat will cause some trout mortality, but halting fishing won't improve the situation
| idfg-jkozfkay
Wild animals for the most part are well equipped to survive fluctuations in environmental conditions, and trout, Idaho’s favorite fish, are no different. Although they prefer cold water, trout are highly resilient, productive and adaptive. Because of this, short-term fishing regulation changes are unlikely… more
Sawtooth Fish Hatchery to close to public July 28 & 29
| idfg-mdemick
Public access to the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery south of Stanley will be closed July 28-29 in order to complete improvements to the Kid’s Pond pathway.
The hatchery is a popular stopping point in the Sawtooth Valley, with the majority of visitation in June through August. The visitor center is open year round from… more
Fish and Game places Stage 1 fire restrictions on department-owned lands in the Southwest Region
| idfg-blowe
Southwestern Idaho is currently experiencing extreme fire conditions brought on by on-going impacts from several years of drought throughout the area. In response to these severe conditions, Fish and Game has implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions, effective July 16, 2021 on all Fish and Game owned lands within the… more
Southwest Region offering skills course covering the basics of muzzleloaders
| idfg-jcreson
The skills course covers the basics of using black powder muzzleloading firearms. It is offered as a free service to those individuals wishing to use a muzzleloader for hunting and/or recreational target shooting. The class will be held at Black's Creek Range from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. MST on Aug. 14.
Students… more
F&G Commission awards $100K in Community Challenge Grants
| idfg-bpearson
During their meeting on July 14, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission awarded $100,000 to various organizations throughout the state through the Idaho Fish and Game Commission Community Challenge Grant program.
Through this program, Idaho Fish and Game provides partnership opportunity to implement projects that… more
All ladies hunter education class coming up next week—space still available!
| idfg-jjackson
Once again Idaho Fish and Game will be offering its Ladies and Girls Hunter Education Class at the regional Fish and Game office in Pocatello. Class dates and times are July 19 through July 23, 9 a.m. to noon. Cost for the class is $9.75 and registration can be completed online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/education… more
Fish salvage order issued for South Butte Pond near Clayton
| idfg-mdemick
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has issued a salvage order for South Butte Pond west of Clayton effective July 15 to August 31, 2021.
Low water levels, diminished flows into pond, and elevated water temperatures have combined to create unsuitable conditions for trout within the 8-acre pond… more
Fish and Game to host public meeting in Hailey on trout management during drought conditions
| idfg-tthompson
Drought conditions in Blaine County have been described as extreme this year which has residents concerned about fish and fishing in local waters. In response, Idaho Fish and Game fisheries managers have scheduled a public meeting in Hailey to talk about trout management during drought conditions. The public meeting… more