Press Releases and Articles
Use emergency gear during your hunting trip for more than emergencies
| idfg-rphillips
As hunters, we’ve been told for years we should carry emergency gear, and it’s good advice. A lot can happen in the woods during hunting season, from getting lost, to being injured, to spending an unexpected night outdoors, or having to endure a nasty storm.
But let’s face it, if you don’t have an… more
Badger Fire in Game Management Unit 54 impacts big game hunts
| idfg-tthompson
The Badger Fire on the Minidoka Ranger District has led to the closure of a significant portion of Unit 54 south of Twin Falls, impacting several big game hunts this fall. The Badger Fire started on the Cassia Division of the Minidoka Ranger District on September 12, 2020. Shortly after, the Sawtooth National Forest… more
Youth pheasant season runs Oct. 3-9, new stocking areas added this year
| idfg-rphillips
The youth pheasant hunting season runs from Saturday, Oct. 3 through Oct. 9. Youth ages 17 years and younger with an Idaho hunting license can participate in the youth pheasant hunt so long as they're accompanied by an Idaho licensed hunter age 18 years or older. Anyone 18 years or older can not hunt during… more
Clearwater River Steelhead Update
| idfg-jdupont
ClEARWATER River Steelhead Update
September 22, 2020
By Joe DuPont
Hi everybody. Many of you have been patiently waiting for the arrival of Clearwater River’s famed steelhead run. These fish are just… more
Mountain lion sightings in Salmon serve as reminder to use caution
| idfg-mdemick
Reports of a mountain lion in the city limits of Salmon continue to come in to Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game. Most reports are sightings of a single, young lion moving through yards and streets on the Bar Hill.
Understandably, residents are concerned.
Fish and Game, as well as city officials share this… more
TDS telecom fiber optic work begins along Snake River
| idfg-jbruns
Beginning immediately, TDS telecom company will be conducting fiber optic work along the Snake River from Captain John Creek up to Billy Creek. Work will be primarily along the river between these two drainages so crews can attach fiber optic cable to already existing power poles. Disturbance to sportsman should be… more
Avista's 10 mile transmission rebuild goes through a portion of Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area
| idfg-jbruns
Avista plans to rebuild approximately 10 miles of its 230-kilovolt transmission line, some of which is located on Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area near the Salmon River. To allow for heavy equipment access, Avista plans to conduct road repairs to Eagle Creek Road between China Creek and Wapshilla Creek… more
Hunters: Help us monitor for CWD by submitting samples from your harvested deer
| idfg-scassinelli
Although Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has not been found in Idaho, we need your help collecting samples from your harvested deer as we continue to monitor Idaho’s wildlife for this contagious and fatal neurological disease.
CWD affects members of the deer family, including mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk,… more
Maiden Hunt 3: Join young Clara on her hunt, and her father discusses the importance of mentoring
| idfg-bpearson
Mentoring is woven in the fabric of hunting. For millennia the tradition has been passed down through generations and shared with friends. For the tradition to continue, the each generation of hunters are tasked with passing the torch to the next.
Fish and Game's Maiden Hunt Series explores how rewarding it… more
Where are the fish in Henrys Lake? Henrys Lake Quarterly Newsletter - September 2020
| idfg-jvincent
Henrys Lake Quarterly Newsletter
September 2020… more
Hunters traveling out of state: Prevent CWD by knowing Idaho's carcass import rules
| idfg-rphillips
Hunters traveling out of state need to be aware of Idaho's rules on importing carcasses back into the state so they can help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. Fish and Game has not detected chronic wasting disease in Idaho, and your help is essential to keeping the state CWD free.
If you are… more
Hunters prepared with bear spray survive attack in Island Park
| idfg-jbrower
On the morning of Sept. 18, an archery hunter was attacked by a bear while pursuing elk in a remote area of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest south of Two Top Mountain in Island Park. The victim and his hunting companion encountered the bear from a close distance while in thick brush. Though… more
'Sock Guy for Sockeye' earns national award for helping sockeye salmon
| idfg-rphillips
Twelve-year-old Topher Jones of Boise, also known as the “Sock Guy for Sockeye”, was among 25 winners of the 2020 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, which annually honors outstanding young leaders who have made a significant and positive difference to people and the environment.
Jones raised nearly $… more
Deadwood Reservoir produces the next generation of kokanee salmon for Idaho's lakes and reservoirs
| idfg-vosborn
Kokanee salmon are landlocked sockeye and popular fish for Idaho anglers, but save for a few rare lakes, they didn’t historically exist in most Idaho waters. So how did they get there, and how do they consistently produce tens of thousands of fun-to-catch and tasty fish for anglers?
The short answer is Fish… more
Farragut shooting range closed Sept. 18, 19 due to wildfire smoke
| idfg-ksiitari
Due to the projected local "unhealthy" air quality due to wildfires, the Farragut Public Shooting Range will be temporarily closed Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19 for the safety of our customers and volunteer range staff.
The range expects to resume normal business hours Sunday, Sept. 20. Check the… more
Dad and daughter team up to set four state fish records
| idfg-mkoenig
Jon Urban shows off his latest catch/release state record - a 15.25-inch Lahontan Cutthroat Trout from Grasmere Reservoir.
When avid angler Jon Urban first started thinking about landing a state record fish, he was hoping for a white crappie. After all, beating the current 14.25-inch catch/… more
Ten tips for safe firearm handling while hunting
| idfg-bpearson
Some people have the mistaken impression that because firearms are used, hunting is a dangerous activity. While there is always the potential that a hunter will be involved in a firearm accident, statistics from the National Shooting Sports Foundation show that hunting with firearms is actually one of the safest… more
Idaho Moose Management Plan for 2020-2025 available online
| idfg-scassinelli
Since the early 2000s, Idaho’s moose populations have been stable or declining in most areas of the state. The Idaho Moose Management Plan 2020-2025 covers how Idaho Fish and Game and its partners will manage moose populations and hunting opportunities for the next six years.
This plan sets the overall… more