Press Releases and Articles
Hunters need to take extra care with meat during warm weather
| idfg-lfrench
With many big-game hunts underway and warmer-than-usual weather in October, hunters should bring ice or take other precautions to ensure game meat doesn't spoil. The keys to preserving a big-game carcass is to get it cooled as quickly as possible, and ideally, keep the meat between 34 and 40 degrees. Getting it… moreFish and Game releases young grizzlies trapped in October
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The two male yearling grizzly bear cubs were released in a remote portion of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest near Yellowstone National Park on Oct. 9. The yearlings and their mother were trapped on Oct. 8, near Chester, Idaho. Because of the sow's prior conflicts and poor body condition, Fish and Game personnel… morePheasant stocking underway at nine Wildlife Management Areas
| idfg-lfrench
Pheasant hunting is a popular form of upland game hunting, and hunters can find a place to hunt them at Fish and Game's Wildlife Management Areas. The department is stocking 15,800 male pheasants at the following areas during the hunting season: - Southwest Region: Fort Boise, Payette, Montour, and C.J. Strike WMAs… moreImproperly Discarded Big Game Bones and Hides Create Hazards
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By Phil Cooper, Wildlife Conservation Educator Big game seasons are open and from all appearances hunters are out in high numbers. Last weekend I worked a check station near Coolin and there was a steady stream of hunters in camo and orange coming through. Hunters are hoping to put some healthy and nutritious meat… moreFire at Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area Covers 300 Acres
| idfg-lfrench
On October 15, at approximately 1:30 PM a controlled burned aimed at removing dead vegetation from Pond 2 at the Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) jumped fire lines and began to burn uncontrolled. The actual fire management had been contracted to the St. Anthony Work Camp Fire Crew by the Idaho Department of… moreFrom field to freezer: tips for processing your big game animal
| idfg-mdemick
By Roger Phillips, Public Information Specialist You successfully shot a deer, elk or other big game animal. Now the work begins. You want to properly process the animal so you get many healthy, enjoyable meals from it. Here's the basic cheat sheet: Gut it, skin it, keep it clean and keep it cool. But you… moreWaterfowl and pheasant seasons to open in most of Idaho October 17
| idfg-mdemick
Most of Idaho will open for waterfowl hunting on Oct. 17, excluding Area 1 in southeast Idaho which opened Oct. 3. The statewide daily bag limit is seven ducks; but not more than two female mallard, three scaup, two redhead, two pintail, and two canvasback. The daily goose bag limit is four Canada geese; 10… moreHunters and anglers reminded about cold water boat safety
| idfg-mdemick
With the onset of autumn and resulting cold air and water temperatures, waterfowl hunters and anglers are urged to take precautions and wear life jackets while on the water this fall. In 2014, seventy percent of all fatal boating accidents victims nationwide drowned, and of those, eighty-four percent were not wearing… moreHunters should exercise caution in burned areas
| idfg-lfrench
While fire season is winding down or over in most parts of the state, hunters still need to be vigilant of hazards associated with recently burned areas. Hunters are reminded that wildfires can still occur during fall, and they should always be careful with campfires, barbecues, motors (chainsaws, generators, ATVs),… moreAsk Fish and Game: Contacting Fish and Game outside normal business hours
| idfg-mdemick
Q: What is the best way to contact a Fish and Game officer on weekends or after hours? A: Outside of regular business hours, contact the local sheriff's department, the state police, or any law enforcement authority. They will route pertinent information quickly and efficiently to officers in the field by radio… moreYearling Grizzly Bears Released
| idfg-lfrench
On October 9, 2015, the Idaho Department of Fish… moreFamily Outdoor Festival Planned November 7 near Lava Hot Springs
| idfg-mdemick
Are you looking for some outdoor fun for the whole family without having to travel very far or pack all your gear? Then look no further than the Third Annual Family Outdoor Festival scheduled for Saturday, November 7, at Smith's Trout Haven in Lava Hot Springs. From 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., this special day will be… moreFish and Game Traps Sow Grizzly and Two Cubs Near Chester
| idfg-mdemick
A sow grizzly and her two yearling cubs that had been previously relocated for getting into human-related foods near Cody, Wyoming were trapped on October 8, 2015, near Chester, Idaho. The bears had been relocated by Wyoming Game and Fish to the Jedidiah Smith Wilderness in Wyoming on September 21, 2015 but… more
Chinook photos
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Fall chinook runs are booming, but overlooked by many anglers
Stuart Rosenberger of Boise landed this fall chinook near Lewiston in September, which is the the peak of the run. Fall chinook commonly run in the 15 to 20-pound range and on average are larger than spring or summer chinook. CC BY Roger Phillips… moreSheep Hunter Survives Bear Attack
| idfg-mdemick
A Boise man is recovering from wounds suffered during a black bear attack at his camp along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in central Idaho's the Frank Church River-of-no-Return Wilderness. Stephen Vouch (29) and two companions were hunting bighorn sheep in hunt unit 27 when the attack occurred in the early… moreFall chinook runs are booming, but overlooked by many anglers
| idfg-mdemick
By Roger Phillips, Public Information Specialist, IDFG Big fish, and lots of them. What's not to like? When it comes to Idaho's fall chinook, the answer is not as simple as you might think, but the fall chinook are in Idaho in near-record numbers and anglers are catching them. "The runs have gotten progressively… moreFish and Game confirms outbreak of bluetongue disease in whitetails
| idfg-lfrench
By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist Based on continuing reports of dead deer, Fish and Game officials estimate up to 1,000 whitetails have died from an outbreak of bluetongue, a virus transmitted by gnats that is similar to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). It is difficult to get… moreAll hunters and anglers are required to stop at check stations
| idfg-mdemick
Throughout the fall deer and elk seasons, Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) will be running check stations to collect data on hunter and angler success. Idaho Code requires that "all sportsmen, with or without game, must stop at Fish… more