Christmas Bird Count: A Local Birding Tradition

Mon, 01/04/2010 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

By Jim Lukens, Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Christmas is a time of traditions - and for bird watchers - a favorite is the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Now in its 110th year, the count is the longest running bird census in the Western Hemisphere with 60,000 volunteers taking part in more than 2,000… more

Idaho Aquatic Nuisance Sticker Rule Clarified

Mon, 01/04/2010 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

A new program in Oregon to protect waterways from the damaging impacts of aquatic invasive species as of January 1 requires boaters buy an AIS Prevention Permit to use their boats. Boats registered in similar programs in Idaho or Washington, however, do not need an Oregon-issued Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention… more

Clarification: Proposed Upland Game Rule Changes

Mon, 01/04/2010 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public comments on proposed changes to upland game rules. One of the proposals was presented in a manner that may be misleading. On wildlife management areas in the Southwest Region where pheasants are stocked, Fish and Game proposes to change shooting hours to begin at 10 a.m. on… more

Ask Fish and Game: Depredation Hunts

Mon, 01/04/2010 - 00:00 | idfg-mcoleman

Q. How do I get to participate in a depredation hunt this year? A. Hunters can sign up to participate in depredation hunts - special controlled hunts used to relieve big game damage problems on agricultural crops - for deer, elk and pronghorn in areas they are willing to hunt in 2010 when the Big Game Seasons and… more

Fish and Game Hosts Upland Game Open House

Thu, 12/31/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will host an open house to review proposed changes to upland game rules for the Southeast Region. The public is invited to stop by anytime between 3 and 7 p.m. Monday, January 4, at the Fish and Game office, 1345 Barton Road in Pocatello, to review the proposed changes and provide… more

Eagles Shot in Bingham County

Thu, 12/31/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking information about the shooting of eagles in Bingham County. A juvenile bald eagle was shot the morning of December 26 on Vambaur Road 900 South near the intersection with Sterling North Road 2200 West in Springfield. This is the second eagle shooting reported to… more

Wolf Hunters Reminded to Get New Tags

Wed, 12/30/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

Hunters who want to pursue wolves after December 31, are reminded they will need a 2010 wolf tag. And all hunters need a 2010 Idaho hunting license to hunt in the New Year. Wolf hunt rules allow a hunter to take only one wolf per calendar year. Hunters who shoot a wolf between January 1 and March 31, 2010, will not… more

Upland game season, chili feed planned

Tue, 12/29/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will host an upland, turkey, and furbearer public open house from 3-9 p.m. January 7, 2010, at the Magic Valley Region Fish and Game office in Jerome. This open house will coincide with the Sportsmen's Chili Feed and Cook-off scheduled for the same evening. "It will be a great… more

Big Game Meetings Set in Southeast Region

Mon, 12/28/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

With 2009 drawing to a close and a new year on the horizon, it is time for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to begin planning the big game regulations for the 2010 hunting season. An important part of the planning process is hearing from the public. Please join the southeast regional office of Idaho Fish and… more

Spring Steelhead Season Opens Friday

Mon, 12/28/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

The spring steelhead season starts Friday, January 1, but anglers will need a 2010 fishing license and steelhead permit to fish on New Year's Day. Spring steelhead season opens on the: Salmon River from its mouth to the posted boundary 100 yards downstream of the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery weir, near the town of… more

Elk Poachers Plead Guilty

Mon, 12/28/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

Ignoring a hunter check station has cost two Boise men more than just the $121 fine for failure to stop. Derek Smith, 41, and Joseph Eden, 38, both of Boise, pleaded guilty in Fourth District Court in Ada County this month to possession of three unlawfully taken elk. Both had their hunting privileges revoked for the… more

Fish & Game Biologists to Count, Capture Elk

Mon, 12/28/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

Wildlife biologists from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will soon take to the skies in an effort to assess the size and health of elk herds in the Garden Valley and Lowman area. During January and early February, Fish and Game field staff plans to conduct low-level helicopter surveys for elk in portions of the… more

Commissioners Approve Land Acquisitions

Mon, 12/28/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

Meeting by conference call Wednesday, December 23, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved two proposed land acquisitions. The commissioners authorized Idaho Fish and Game to buy two parcels offered by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation at about half of the appraised value. One parcel borders the Tex Creek… more

F&G to Land Helicopters in Wilderness to Collar Wolves

Mon, 12/28/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

The U.S. Forest Service has issued Idaho Fish and Game a special use permit to land helicopters in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in the winter of 2010. Fish and Game is pleased with the action that provides its biologists with the tools needed to dart and radio-collar wolves encountered during routine… more

Egin-Hamer Area Closes January 1

Mon, 12/28/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Bureau of Land Management and Fremont County are once again closing the Egin-Hamer area, starting January 1 through the winter to protect wintering wildlife in this area. The Egin-Hamer closure places nearly 500 square miles of land off-limits to human entry to protect wintering… more

Ask Fish and Game: Fishing Rules

Mon, 12/28/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

Q. When will the new fish regs be available? A. Glad you asked. Fish and Game has extended the fishing rules booklet for one more year so don't throw away your 2008 - 2009 Fishing Seasons and Rules brochure. It will be good through 2010. Fish and Game is revising the brochure, and a new edition will be out in 2011… more

Upland Game/Furbearer Open Houses Slated

Tue, 12/22/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

New shooting hours for opening day of pheasant season and requiring non-toxic shot on Idaho Fish and Game wildlife management areas are just two proposals available for public comment at upcoming upland game/furbearer open houses. Fish and Game employees will host an open house from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, January 6,… more

Sportsmen's Chili Feed

Mon, 12/21/2009 - 00:00 | idfg-nnokkentved

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will host the second annual Sportsmen's Chili Feed from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, January 7, at the Jerome Regional Office, 324 South 417 East, Highway 93 Business Park, Jerome. Participants are invited to bring their favorite chili or just come and try the different flavors on for… more