Panhandle Winter Feeding Report - January 23, 2017

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 18:18 | idfg-staff

The Fish and Game Panhandle Region does not normally declare winter feeding emergencies because big game do not congregate in large concentrations and it is virtually impossible to use feeding as a tool in a way that is meaningful from a population standpoint, and is certainly not cost effective. The region… more

Clearwater Winter Feeding Report, January 2017

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 18:04 | idfg-staff

The Fish and Game Clearwater Region does not normally declare winter feeding emergencies and has never established a Winter Feeding Advisory Committee as per IC36-123. 

Snow depths in backcountry areas are slightly above normal however, water equivalent is still below… more

Southwest Winter Feeding Report, January 2017

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 18:04 | idfg-staff

The Southwest Region has a long history of big game winter feeding efforts. The Winter Feeding Advisory Committee, made up of several citizen volunteers, met on January 9th to review current winter conditions and evaluate the need to declare a winter feeding emergency based on factors outlined in Fish and… more

Southeast Winter Feeding Report, January 2017

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 18:04 | idfg-staff

The Southeast Region has significant history of winter feeding and has an active Winter Feeding Advisory Committee.

The Southeast region has been meeting with their Winter Feeding Advisory Committee since early December, most recently on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. The… more

Upper Snake Winter Feeding Report, January 2017

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 18:04 | idfg-staff

Fish and Game's Upper Snake Region has significant history of winter feeding and has an active Winter Feeding Advisory Committee. The Henry Creek Fire burned over 50,000 acres in the summer of 2016, including over 30,000 acres of the Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area. Tex Creek WMA provides significant… more

Salmon Winter Feeding Report, January 2017

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 18:04 | idfg-staff

The Salmon Region has sporadic history of winter feeding and currently does not have an active Winter Feeding Advisory Committee. Winter feeding last occurred in the late 90’s in the Stanley area.

Significant numbers of elk are wintering on and adjacent to agriculture… more

Big game around the region continue to battle winter

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 14:58 | idfg-khatch

HAILEY – As winter snows continue to pile up, elk, deer and pronghorn have sought refuge in non-traditional areas across the Magic Valley

“We still have a lot of concern for animals not located near any of our emergency feed sites,” said Daryl Meints, Regional Wildlife Manager. “With that said, there are a… more

Boise River Wildlife Management Area closed to protect wintering big game

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 14:42 | idfg-eoneale

Beginning Friday, January 20, the Boise Front Segment of the Boise River Wildlife Management Area (BRWMA) was closed to all public entry. The closure will help protect wintering big game animals and will remain in effect until further notice.

The closure eliminates a source of stress for big… more

Chinook Salmon Public Meetings coming to a location near YOU

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 14:25 | idfg-jbruns

Anglers are encouraged to attend one of three public meetings to help develop the 2017 spring Chinook Salmon rules in the Clearwater Region (Clearwater, Snake, lower Salmon, and Little Salmon rivers).  The meeting held at Riggins will also discuss the South Fork Salmon River summer Chinook Salmon fishery as well.… more

Lake Cacade Ice Fishing Update: Jan. 19

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 14:03 | idfg-pjanssen

Ice conditions had improved through yesterday with the slush freezing up with the below zero temperatures. However, we got another 12-14 inches of snow last night and this morning so we would expect more water and slush on the ice as the weight of the new snow pushes down on the ice, forcing water up through the… more

Elk and Mule Deer Feeding to Begin in the Silver Creek Valley and Carey areas

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 12:23 | idfg-khatch

PICABO – With over 36” of snow on the Silver Creek valley floor and hundreds of elk and mule deer in cattle feed lines and along major roadways, Idaho Department of Fish and Game is going to initiate winter feeding of mule deer and elk in the Bellevue, Picabo and Carey areas.

“Most all… more

Dead trees are full of life

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 09:00 | idfg-pcooper

Dead, standing trees in a forest are sometimes called ‘snags’. These woodland features support a complex system of life. When a person learns the importance of snags to wildlife, they are likely to appreciate dead trees more than they previously had. Some may come to appreciate them more than live trees!

A… more

Pronghorn Deaths Blamed on Japanese Yew

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 17:00 | idfg-eoneale

Just two weeks ago, a group of eight elk died in the Boise foothills after feeding on Japanese yew plants. This week, a herd of 50 pronghorn antelope have been found dead in the town of Payette, victims of the same toxic shrub.

The pronghorn were reported to Fish and Game staff early Tuesday afternoon, January… more

Clearwater River Steelhead Update

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 16:23 | idfg-bbowersox

This past week catch rates were good and we saw more anglers out fishing. In both creel sections, the mouth of the Clearwater River to Orofino and the North Fork Clearwater River, catch rates were at 6 hrs per fish caught.  That's good steelhead fishing.

The majority of boat anglers are still fishing… more

Weekly Commission conference calls will start January 19

Wed, 01/18/2017 - 15:04 | idfg-mdemick

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet via telephone conference call at 8 a.m. (MST) each Thursday until the end of the 2017 legislative session or otherwise noticed.

Commissioners will discuss legislation of interest to Fish and Game and other issues as posted on the meeting agenda. The calls are open… more

Snow Peak WMA Trail Work Proposed

Tue, 01/17/2017 - 17:20 | idfg-lwolf

Snow Peak Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a great place for backcountry hunting and angling, but it’s gotten pretty difficult to travel the trails.  Over the past decade, many of the trails have become inaccessible due to downed trees and overgrown brush.  Several severe windstorms in recent years have… more

Thirty antelope die when large herd crosses frozen Snake River at Lake Walcott

Tue, 01/17/2017 - 11:33 | idfg-rphillips

Idaho Fish and Game staff on Jan. 16 euthanized 20 pronghorn antelope that were injured and stranded on the ice while attempting to cross the Snake River at Lake Walcott. Fish and Game staff also rescued six pronghorns, and another 10 were killed and partially consumed by coyotes. 

On Sunday,… more

Southwest Region Big Game Winter Feeding Update

Fri, 01/13/2017 - 17:00 | idfg-eoneale

The office phone rings more often than usual these days, with citizens calling to voice concern about the welfare of Idaho’s big game animals – specifically mule deer and elk. This year’s more normal Idaho winter, with heavy snowfall and cold temperatures, is compelling animals to move to low elevation winter range… more