Salmon Winter Feeding Report - January 30, 2017

Tue, 01/31/2017 - 14:45 | idfg-rphillips

Winter feeding last occurred in the late 90’s in the Stanley area.

The winter feeding advisory committee met on Jan. 23 and discussed the criteria, current conditions, elk numbers and depredation hot spots. They decided that… more

Clearwater Region Big Game Public Meetings Scheduled

Tue, 01/31/2017 - 12:42 | idfg-jbruns

Idaho Department of Fish and Game wants to hear from hunters about proposed changes to the 2017-2018 big game seasons. 

Interested individuals can visit with department personnel concerning the proposed season changes and provide their written comments by attending any of four open house… more

Winter big game feeding is reserved for emergencies

Tue, 01/31/2017 - 12:31 | idfg-tcuret

After several mild winters in a row, this year’s winter above average precipitation and colder temperatures has felt a lot harsher for both people and wildlife. But while people can retreat to the warm comfort of a home, big game face the brunt of winter out in the elements as they have done for eons. As snowpacks… more

Mountain lion harvest season closed in southeast Idaho

Mon, 01/30/2017 - 15:24 | idfg-mdemick

Mountain lion hunters should note that the harvest season for both female and male mountain lion has closed in game management Units 66A, 68, 68A, 70, 71, 72, 73, 73A, 74, 75, 76, 77, and 78, as the harvest quota of 22 females has been reached.  The dog training season will remain open in these units through… more

Feed sites off limits to hunting mountain lions and wolves

Mon, 01/30/2017 - 15:21 | idfg-mdemick

With Idaho Fish and Game winter feeding big game in areas of southern Idaho, hunters are reminded that mountain lions and gray wolves may not be hunted or pursued within one-half mile of any active Fish and Game big game feeding site.  In addition, wolves cannot be trapped within the same distance. 

Fish and Game legislative proposals returned to commission

Mon, 01/30/2017 - 15:18 | idfg-mdemick

During last week’s Idaho Fish and Game Commission annual meeting in Boise, House Resources and Conservation Committee Chairman Rep. Marcus Gibbs (R)  Grace, returned two Idaho Fish and Game legislative proposals to the Fish and Game Commission.

Representative Gibbs informed commissioners that… more

Here's a sneak peak at the new moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat rules

Mon, 01/30/2017 - 13:54 | idfg-rphillips

Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Jan. 26 adopted new rules for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat for the 2017-18 hunting seasons. 

Changes include: 

Moose

Fish and Game Director delivers annual report to Commission

Mon, 01/30/2017 - 10:09 | idfg-mdemick

Fish and Game Director Virgil Moore delivered his annual report to the Fish and Game Commission last week at their quarterly meeting in Boise.  

The annual report details the sources of the agency's funding, and what was accomplished with the money. The report leads with a statement from… more

Moose breaks through window well, trapped in Hailey basement

Sun, 01/29/2017 - 15:17 | idfg-jroyse

Last winter we reported a rare occurrence in which a cow elk broke through a window well and ended up trapped in a basement. Sr. Conservation officer Alex Head was hoping that was a once in career event that he would have to respond to.

Well, last night it happened again,… more

Idaho Fish and Game Captures Fourth Mountain Lion Kitten

Fri, 01/27/2017 - 21:43 | idfg-jjackson

On Wednesday, January 25, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game received a report that a mountain lion kitten was spotted in the same area as last week’s lion captures in the Johnny Creek area of Pocatello.

Because it was apparent that this kitten was part of the mountain lion family that had been… more

Why Fish and Game radio collars deer and elk during winter

Fri, 01/27/2017 - 16:47 | idfg-mkeckler

Idaho Fish and Game gets frequent questions from people wondering why the agency conducts winter helicopter roundups of deer and elk as part of its radio-collaring efforts, while at the same time advising the public to steer clear of herds to reduce disturbance.

It’s a fair… more

Lake Cascade Ice Fishing Update 1_27_17

Fri, 01/27/2017 - 11:12 | idfg-pjanssen

With the recent snowfall in the McCall/Cascade area access and travel conditions on Lake Cascade are tough; with 12 to 15 inches of fresh snow sitting on top of a layer of ~3-4 inches of slush before reaching solid ice below. At this time most people utilizing Lake Cascade are doing so on foot… more

Wildlife making a winter living

Fri, 01/27/2017 - 11:12 | idfg-khatch

History and Utility of Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) Tags for Fisheries Studies

Fri, 01/27/2017 - 11:08 | idfg-jbruns

By Marika Dobos

The PIT (passive integrated transponders) tag is a wonderful little tool that allows fish managers and biologists to understand things about fish that were once very difficult to determine.  By PIT tagging anadromous fishes such as salmon and steelhead early… more

Upper Snake Region Winter Wildlife Conditions Report for January 27, 2017

Fri, 01/27/2017 - 08:40 | idfg-glosinski

Upper Snake Region Winter Wildlife Conditions Report for January 27, 2017

BIG GAME WINTERING CONDITIONS:

Animals were in good to excellent condition entering winter.  The middle weeks of January again saw moderate snowfall with improving… more

Please Don't Feed Me!

Thu, 01/26/2017 - 09:16 | Anonymous (not verified)

This article was written by Fish and Game Regional Wildlife Manager Wayne Wakkinen, stationed at the regional office in Coeur d'Alene. It offers additional insights into the winter feeding issue.

As the snow piles up, we get reports from the public that deer and elk have come down from the… more

Stay clear of wintering wildlife

Wed, 01/25/2017 - 15:09 | idfg-mdemick

Winter provides great opportunities to view Idaho wildlife against snow covered hillsides.  But it is very important to enjoy the view from a distance.  Winter can be very stressful for wildlife, especially in winters like this when snow is deep and temperatures are cold.

Clearwater Region Steelhead Fishing Report (1/ 24/17)

Wed, 01/25/2017 - 11:36 | idfg-vosborn

This past week the majority of the boat anglers on the main stem of the Clearwater (river section 03) fished from Lenore to Orofino. Shore anglers spread out from Cherry Lane up to the pole yard (river section 03). Anglers were seen fishing with bobbers and jigs, drifting, and fly fishing. Most of the boat anglers… more