Press Releases and Articles
Living with mountain lions
| idfg-staff
When living close to wildlife, no matter the species, sometimes conflicts arise—especially this time of year. Mule deer come down out of the hills to winter at lower elevations, crossing busy roadways near towns and sometimes feeding on hay stacks or people’s landscape plants. Mountain lions are also on the move,… more
Chinook season proposals are now available and a virtual open house is Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. MST.
| idfg-rphillips
Fish and Game will be setting new seasons for upcoming spring and summer Chinook fisheries and gathering public input on the upcoming season proposals from Feb. 11 to Feb. 21.
The easiest way for the public to view and comment on the proposed seasons is online at idfg.idaho.gov/chinook. The public comment… more
Clark Fork Driftyard access site on Pend Oreille WMA open for year-round use
| idfg-kcampbell
Management changes have been implemented to enhance angler opportunities, while reducing resource damage at the Clark Fork Driftyard access site, a portion of the Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area on the Clark Fork River. This year, access to the parking lot and boat launch will be open year-round, however, the… more
Proposals for 2021-22 big game season now available for public comment; deadline is Feb. 25
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game will be setting new seasons for upcoming deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, mountain lion, and wolf hunts in March, and hunters can now see proposed season and changes and provide comments. The comment period deadline is Feb. 25. There will also be a series of virtual open house Feb. 16–25.
The… more
Upland Game Bird Permit: do you need one to turkey hunt this spring? Do you need one to hunt upland birds next fall?
| idfg-jjackson
With spring turkey season less than three months away and the controlled hunt application period for spring turkey beginning on Feb. 1, turkey hunters have already been asking if they are required to purchase an Upland Game Bird Permit (formerly known as the “WMA Permit”).
The simple answer is “no”. In fact,… more
F&G wildlife managers keep a watchful eye on fawns and calves during winter
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho big game hunters pursue deer and elk in the fall, and by winter most have put their guns and bows away for the season, and that’s when Fish and Game biologists start their annual hunt.
But instead of getting meat for the freezer and antlers to put above the mantle, biologists capture deer and elk… more
Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee to meet Feb. 2
| idfg-jjackson
Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee Meeting
and Agenda
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
6:30 PM
Southeast Regional IDFG Office
1345 Barton Road
Pocatello, ID… more
Private trout farms continue to stock surplus rainbow trout into the Snake River
| idfg-tthompson
Magic Valley anglers have another opportunity to pursue a new unique winter fishery for rainbow trout following the stocking of large rainbow trout into the Snake River at Centennial Waterfront Park, near Twin Falls. In late January, Koehn Farms will be donating 9,000 trout, which weigh over one pound, into the Snake… more
Hunters will see big reduction in antlerless moose tags, similar sheep and goat tags for 2021-22 seasons
| idfg-rphillips
Fish and Game Commission on Jan. 28 set moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat seasons for 2021-22 during its meeting in Nampa. Changes include reductions in tags available for all three species, including substantial decreases in moose tags, particularly antlerless tags, and minor adjustments to tags for bighorn… more
Public’s Help Sought in Second Waterfowl Carcass Wasting Case
| idfg-eoneale
Fish and Game is asking the public for information regarding the recent dumping of more than 25 whole waterfowl carcasses north of Emmett on Van Deusen Road. The mix of birds included mallards, teal and northern pintails.
Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) is offering a reward for information in the case and… more
WMA Nesting Closures Begin February 1
| idfg-eoneale
After providing countless days of outdoor recreation for hunters this fall and winter, Fish and Game’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are ready for a rest and a refocus.
Many WMAs provide sanctuary and nesting habitat for upland and nongame birds as well as waterfowl – ducks and geese. One key to this… more
Safety tips when living in proximity to mountain lions
| idfg-tthompson
Reports of mountain lions in the Wood River Valley are down considerably from the winter of 2019-2020. Last year, Fish and Game reported nearly 100 incidents involving mountain lions in the Wood River Valley, which included several attacks on pets.
While reports have diminished this winter, mountain lions… more
Winter surveys show high numbers of mule deer fawns in the Upper Snake
| idfg-mpfander
Mule deer fawn numbers are looking really good across much of the Upper Snake Region as we head into the rough part of winter.
"Our fawn production across the region was pretty incredible," said Upper Snake Region Wildlife Manager Curtis Hendricks. "I think that we have only had fawn ratios rivaling these… more
Southwest Region Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule - February
| idfg-eoneale
Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 9,800 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during February. Two of the treasure Valley’s newest ponds are including in the schedule; Dick Knox Pond in Emmett and Star City Pond West in Star.
LOCATION… more
NEW TIMESHEETS available now!
| idfg-sfocht
A new and improved Idaho Master Naturalist Timesheet is available. It won't look too much different than the old one, except for the ADDED feature of being able to see your entries after you enter them. You are also able to download your entries into Excel, if you choose. If you recorded time for 2021 on the old… more
BCR Ammo Amnesty Program On Now
| idfg-eoneale
BCR shooters, do you have a stockpile of Wolf or TulAmmo that you’ve been unable to shoot at BCR due to the steel ban?
Well, here’s some good news.
Through the months of February and March, and subject to daily weather conditions, shooters are allowed to use the following ammunition at BCR: Wolf,… more
Magic Valley Region rainbow trout stocking schedule for February 2021
| idfg-tthompson
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 7,350 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in February. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate and may change without notice due to water or weather conditions.
Body… more
Magic Valley trout growers donate thousands of live trout for anglers to catch
| idfg-tthompson
If you’re an angler looking for a winter escape, you are in luck. Local trout processors have an over abundance of fish due to declining markets. Despite the unfortunate business circumstances, many producers donate their fish to Fish and Game to bolster public angling opportunities across southern Idaho.… more