Double-dipping Deer Poacher Pleads Guilty

Tue, 02/02/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

A deer poaching case involving a distinctive vehicle, an alert citizen, and a groundswell of public interest has concluded with fines and license suspensions for a Roosevelt, Utah man. And a Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) call started it all. In early November of 2014, a concerned citizen called the CAP hotline to… more

Apply now for spring bear and turkey controlled hunts

Mon, 02/01/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Two weeks remain in the application period for spring black bear which opened January 15 and continues through February 15. The spring turkey controlled hunt application period opens February 1 and runs through March 1. Any leftover controlled hunt tags for spring turkey and bear controlled hunts go on sale April 1… more

Shikar-Safari recognizes Homedale officer

Mon, 02/01/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Craig Mickelson, an Idaho Department of Fish and Game conservation officer based in Homedale, was recently honored as the 2015 Idaho Wildlife Officer of the Year by Shikar-Safari Club International. Shikar-Safari International is a worldwide organization of hunters that supports a wide range of conservation causes… more

Director's Report to the Commission, Performance Measurement Report online

Mon, 02/01/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Fish and Game's 2015 Director's Report to the Commission is now available online. 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 Director Virgil Moore, followed by future challenges, cost comparisons and big game harvest… more

Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule for Southwest Idaho

Fri, 01/29/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatcheries will be releasing more than 8,500 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during February. LOCATION - WEEK - STOCKED - NUMBER OF TROUT Boise River, above Glenwood Bridge - February 15 - 720 Boise River, below Glenwood Bridge - February 8 - 720 Eagle… more

Commission proposes expanding big game tag auction

Fri, 01/29/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-lfrench

By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game Public Information Specialist Idaho Fish and Game commissioners are considering offering five additional tags for auction including one each for elk, mule deer, mountain goat, pronghorn and moose and will decide on it during the commission's next teleconference on Thursday, Feb.… more

Do Something Wild: Support a Sportsmen's Group

Fri, 01/29/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Looking for something wild to do during the next couple of months? How about attending one of the upcoming sportsmen's banquets? Sportsmen organizations from around the region typically schedule their banquets and fundraisers this time of year. It is the perfect time to get together as fellow outdoors and wildlife… more

Furbearer Trapping Course Scheduled in Coeur d'Alene for March 4-5

Tue, 01/26/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Many of the first Europeans to settle in northern Idaho came to the area to trap furbearing animals. Fur was traded for supplies and used to make coats, hats, gloves and other articles of clothing. In 1809, the first European structure constructed in Idaho was built near Lake Pend Oreille for the Northwest Fur… more

Fish and Game to Begin Big Game Aerial Surveys in Clearwater

Tue, 01/26/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will begin big game aerial surveys in Big Game Management Units 8, 8A, and 11A starting the week of February 1st. Flights are estimated to take approximately 4 weeks to complete, depending on weather conditions. The overall goal is to assess big game population trends, and age… more

Idaho wolf management a success

Mon, 01/25/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

By Virgil Moore, director, Idaho Fish and Game When Idaho Fish and Game took over wolf management in 2011, the wolf population had grown unchecked for more than a decade after reaching federal recovery levels of 10 breeding pairs and 100 wolves eleven years earlier. This was due to repeated lawsuits that stalled… more

Radio collars are vital tool for game management

Mon, 01/25/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist Idaho Fish and Game biologist Craig White recently got a message telling him two elk died, but it didn't come from a colleague or a citizen, it was from a satellite. White is Idaho Fish and Game's Southwest Region Wildlife Manager, and he got an… more

Grangeville angler nets first Idaho catch-and-release record fish

Mon, 01/25/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist Thomas McLeod set two records with a yellow perch he caught at Lake Cascade in January. His 14.75-inch perch is the new state record for fish caught and released, and he gets an unofficial record as the first person to have a fish recorded in Fish… more

Phone scam reported in Magic Valley

Mon, 01/25/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist A Wendell couple was involved in an attempted scam where a caller claimed to be from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and demanded payment for their failure to report harvest information on time, and threatened them with fines and penalties… more

Spring turkey controlled hunt information available online by Feb 1

Mon, 01/25/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Idaho's 2016 spring turkey information, including controlled hunts, will be available at Fish and Game offices and online by February 1 at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/rules/?getPage=67. Idaho's spring turkey controlled hunt application period runs February 1- March 1. The new upland game, turkey and… more

Commission to meet in Boise this week

Mon, 01/25/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will hold their next meeting January 27-28 at Fish and Game Headquarters in Boise. The public hearing will begin at 7 pm, January 27 in the Headquarters trophy room. Citizens are invited to address the commission regarding agenda and non-agenda items at the hearing. All testimony… more

Upland, turkey, furbearer seasons set

Fri, 01/22/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission set the 2016 and 2017 upland game, turkey and furbearer seasons and rules on Thursday, January 21. Season changes for the next two years include: Panhandle Region: - Extended the fall general turkey season 16 days to December 31 in Units 1, 2 (except Farragut State Park and… more

Fish and Game Sets Big Game Scoring Day for February 18 in Idaho Falls

Wed, 01/20/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

A Big Game scoring day has been scheduled for Thursday, February 18 at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game office in Idaho Falls. Measuring will be done according to Boone and Crockett standards. Interested sportsmen must bring their antlers, horns or skulls to the Fish and Game office located at 4279 Commerce… more

Fish and Game's elk study efforts continue in the Panhandle

Tue, 01/19/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Idaho Fish and Game wildlife biologists have started the third year of a comprehensive elk mortality study. Working with a private helicopter contractor, they have been in the field capturing and collaring elk in the Panhandle region. Cow and calf elk have been fitted with radio collars to monitor their survival… more