Press Releases and Articles
Southeast Region Fish and Game asks deer and elk hunters to submit samples for CWD testing this fall
| idfg-jjackson
Chronic Wasting Disease or CWD was detected for the first time in Idaho in 2021 in Game Management Units 14 and 15 after more than 20 years of proactive surveillance and testing. CWD is a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. There is no cure for this fatal disease.
As a… more
Irrigators in the Salmon Region asked to contact Fish and Game before turning water off for season
| idfg-mdemick
With the irrigation season winding down and efforts to keep fish out of local ditches, irrigators who divert water from area rivers and streams are asked to call Idaho Fish and Game’s Screen Program at 756-6022 several days before shutting off their water for the season.
Irrigators are also asked to ramp… more
VIDEO: how to preserve evidence of sex and species on a big game animal
| idfg-jbruns
Failure to leave evidence of sex and species naturally attached to a big game animal, remains one of the most common violations detected at Fish and Game check stations, so in order to help hunters, Fish and Game staff have created a helpful video below that is especially important for those hunting within a CWD… more
Hunters at check stations can provide samples for chronic wasting disease testing
| idfg-scassinelli
At check stations across the state, Idaho Fish and Game staff are collecting lymph nodes from harvested deer, elk, and moose to increase monitoring efforts for chronic wasting disease, which was detected in Unit 14 last year for the first-time ever in Idaho. Hunters in Units 14 and 15 are reminded that… more
Warm weather means hunters should take extra precautions with game meat
| idfg-mdemick
Portions of Idaho remain unseasonably warm as we head into general, any-weapon big game hunts, which means hunters may be harvesting animals in warmer temperatures than they're used to. To ensure quality meat for the table, make preparations to process your big game animal.
Hunters have an ethical and legal… more
Hunters: If your tag isn't properly notched, it's invalid
| idfg-rphillips
Reminder for hunters, after you harvest your animal, you must validate your tag by completely removing the correct day and month – just like in the picture – and attaching it to the largest portion of the carcass.
Pheasant season opens Oct. 8 or Oct. 15 depending on the area
| idfg-rphillips
Pheasant season opens Oct. 8 in North Idaho and Oct. 15 in South and East Idaho. See area maps for opening dates on page 11 of the Idaho Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer seasons and rules.
Fish and Game will stock about 30,000 pheasants this year at locations in every region of the state. Hunters can see a… more
Welcome to Idaho Fish and Game’s 'State of Deer and Elk'
| idfg-rphillips
The State of Deer and Elk is an opportunity for hunters to learn how biologists gather data about these important and iconic animals and use that information to manage healthy, sustainable populations that provide excellent hunting opportunity.
Equally important, it’s a way for hunters and others… more
Chronic wasting disease: what you need to know and how you can help in the Panhandle and elsewhere in the state
| idfg-tjross
Chronic wasting disease was detected for the first time in Idaho in 2021 after more than 20 years of proactive surveillance and testing. Chronic wasting disease is a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose, and there is no cure.
With most hunting seasons already underway and… more
Successful Shotgunning workshop will be hosted at the Farragut Shooting Range Center on Oct. 22
| idfg-tjross
Get in on this while you can! Idaho Fish and Game staff along with NRA certified instructors will be teaching a Successful Shotgunning workshop on Oct. 22 at the Farragut Shooting Range Center in Athol.
The class is geared toward new or potential shotgun owners with little or no experience with shotguns or… more
Nonresident elk tags are still available for residents to buy as second tags
| idfg-rphillips
Nonresident elk tags remaining can be bought by resident hunters as second tags, but still at the nonresident price. Available tags and zones are listed online at gooutdoorsidaho.com. Residents can also buy the tags at all license vendors, at Fish and Game regional offices, or by calling 1-800-554-8685. These elk tags… more
Make an impact and apply for the Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee by Oct. 21
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking members of the public who want to have a big impact on shooting range decisions by volunteering to serve on a Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee, which will be responsible for providing input about public shooting range grant applications annually.
Members of the public… more
No wildlife crime is too small to report
| idfg-jberl
A recent survey of Idaho sportsmen and women found that nearly 80% of participants who had observed or knew about a wildlife crime opted to report the offense to a conservation officer or other law enforcement. It’s great to see that the bulk of Idaho citizens recognize the importance of assisting conservation officers… more
Fish and Game hosts mentored youth pheasant hunt for hunter education graduates
| idfg-tthompson
Each year, youth 17 years of age and younger that successfully complete an in-person hunter education class in the Magic Valley Region are invited to participate in a mentored youth pheasant hunt at the Niagara Springs Wildlife Management Area south of Wendell. Coincidentally, the mentored youth hunt is held on the… more
Large number of ducks shot and left to waste near Osgood and officers are asking for your help
| idfg-jbrower
On Monday, September 26 Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officers were made aware of 20 mallard ducks and one wigeon that were shot and left to waste in a field near North 26th West in the Osgood area (43.59938, -112.08318). It is not clear whether the ducks were shot at the site or later dumped there. An initial… more
Fish survey update for southeast Idaho's Blackfoot Reservoir
| idfg-cnau
Ever wonder how your favorite Idaho reservoir fishery is performing? Each year, Idaho Fish and Game regional fisheries biologists conduct surveys to help answer this question at many reservoirs across the state. The data collected helps us provide anglers with current fish population information and also informs our… more
Know your species before heading into the mountains this fall
| idfg-tjross
Is that a mule deer or a white-tailed deer? A moose or an elk? A black bear or a grizzly bear? These are questions asked and thoughts pondered by many a sportsman each hunting season.
While it may seem like an easy task, correctly identifying your target species can be challenging at times. Weather conditions,… more
Mule deer hunters should see similar or more deer than last year, but whitetail harvest could drop
| idfg-rphillips
Deer hunters have reason for optimism and caution heading into the fall hunting season that opens Oct. 10 in most units for general, any-weapon hunts. There's some modest growth in mule deer herds, which will likely be reflected in the harvest. But white-tailed deer hunting in portions of the Clearwater… more