Press Releases and Articles
Mountain lion season reopens in Game Management Unit 54
| idfg-tthompson
The previously announced closure of the mountain lion season in Game Management Unit 54 has been rescinded. After the closure was announced on January 12, 2021, it was determined that two female lions had been incidentally killed, which does not impact the harvest quota of nine female mountain lions in Unit 54.
… more
Ice fishing update, Jan. 14: Lake Cascade, Payette Lake and Horsethief Reservoir ice, snow and travel conditions
| idfg-mthomas
On Thursday, Jan. 14, we visited two access areas on Lake Cascade to check surface and ice conditions. At Van Wyck access, we measured 5 inches of a slush/ice mix above 13 inches of clear ice. At Boulder Creek access, we measured 3 inches of snow and 7 inches of a slush/ice mix above 17 inches of clear ice (… more
Apply now for spring bear controlled hunts
| idfg-bpearson
Hunters wanting to participate in this spring's controlled hunts for black bear can apply through February 15.
Spring 2021 bear controlled hunt information is in the 2020 Big Game Seasons and Rules book.
Hunters who have a 2021 hunting license may apply for controlled hunts at any Fish and Game license… more
Reflecting back on 2020- A year in review: Dworshak Reservoir
| idfg-jbruns
This summer’s trawl and hydro-acoustic surveys in Dworshak Reservoir have found a record number of kokanee fry. These surveys estimate there are 5.8 million fry in the reservoir. The previous high was 4.0 million fry. This is both good news and not-so-good news. The reason this is not-so-good is because these high… more
Reflecting back on 2020- A year in review: Clearwater wildlife highlights
| idfg-jbruns
Clearwater region wildlife staff have been busy in the field this year monitoring wildlife populations.
The Clearwater Region placed 150 unbaited remote cameras to help monitor wolf populations and distribution. These remote cameras are placed in early summer and picked up in early fall. This effort is… more
Do your part to protect wintering wildlife by leaving animals undisturbed
| idfg-rphillips
Winter is a challenging season for Idaho’s wildlife, especially for big game animals that migrate to lower elevations and spend winter closer to people than during other seasons. People can help animals by leaving them undisturbed so they have a better chance to survive winter.
What do we know about… more
Reflecting back on 2020: A year in review- Lower Granite Adult Sampling and Lochsa River Monitoring
| idfg-jbruns
Sampling of adults at Lower Granite during 2020 was challenging, but with the hard work and collaboration of many stakeholders the trap was operational from March 2nd through March 24th, and July 2nd through November 12th. Although we missed the bulk of spring/summer Chinook sampling and the tail-end of the steelhead… more
Wildlife Express: Let’s go ice fishing!
| idfg-scassinelli
Ice fishing is not only a great way to cure cabin fever, but also an opportunity to have some family fun and catch lots of tasty fish.
Ready to hit the ice? This month’s Wildlife Express covers everything you need to know about ice fishing, including tips on equipment, technique, ice safety,… more
Bull elk tangles in backyard swing near Ketchum
| idfg-tthompson
Wood River Valley residents notified Fish and Game on Monday, January 11, 2021 that a bull elk had his antlers caught in a backyard swing while still attached to the tree at a home in Gimlet, south of Ketchum, Idaho. Before officers arrived, the elk had broken free of the tree, but the remaining wooden seat of the… more
Reflecting back on 2020: A year in review- Fish hatchery highlights
| idfg-jbruns
Despite a year dominated by Covid-19, hatchery staff and fish marking crews worked fairly undisrupted in 2020. Hatchery staff stayed busy releasing Chinook salmon and steelhead smolts at locations along the Clearwater river and tributaries. Chinook salmon smolts released spring 2020 were spawned out at Clearwater… more
Catch a tagged fish at Hyde Pond and win a prize
| idfg-mdemick
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Kid’s Ice Fishing Derby at Hyde Pond has been cancelled. But that doesn’t mean kids shouldn’t try their luck – they may win a prize.
If a youth angler 16 years of age or younger catches a tagged rainbow trout from Hyde Pond, they can bring the tag in to the Salmon Fish and… more
Modern Sporting Rifle Fundamentals Class at BCR
| idfg-eoneale
Learn the basics of the Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR) such as the AR-15, how it works, how to disassemble/reassemble, proper cleaning and clearing common malfunctions.
If desired, bring your own MSR to learn the ins and outs of your specific firearm for hunting or recreational shooting.
Class will be… more
Help protect wild birds from Salmonellosis by cleaning and removing bird feeders temporarily
| idfg-kcampbell
The Panhandle Region has received reports of sick or dead wild birds over the last several weeks. The current die-offs are thought to be from Salmonellosis. Salmonellosis is caused by the salmonella bacteria and is a common and generally fatal bird disease. Biologists recommend the… more
Reflecting back on 2020: A year in review- Clearwater hatchery highlights
| idfg-jbruns
In March and April of 2020, Clearwater hatchery staff hauled over 3.5 million Chinook smolts to Red River, Powell, Selway, North Fork Clearwater and Clear Creek release sites. Nearly 650,000 steelhead smolts were released at Meadow Creek, Red House & Newsome Creek. Smolts were released at these locations… more
Reflecting back on 2020: A year in review- Access YES & Pheasant release program
| idfg-jbruns
Clearwater region Access YES program, provided a total of 11,529 acres of public-private hunting access in 2020. The new access acreage added for 2020 was close to 1,200 acres in the Genesee and Cottonwood Creek areas.
The pheasant release program began in the Clearwater region in 2019 and… more
Deer, elk and pronghorn hunters: Submit your mandatory harvest report by Jan. 31
| idfg-bpearson
Big game hunters have until January 31 to submit mandatory harvest reports and fulfill a crucial role in the management of Idaho’s big game herds. Hunters can submit their mandatory hunter report online at license.gooutdoorsidaho.com, or by calling 1-877-268-9365.
If you purchased a tag to hunt big game this… more
Two bull elk killed illegally and left to waste in Gooding County
| idfg-tthompson
In late November, while a cow elk hunt was underway in the Smoky-Bennett Zone, two bull elk were illegally killed in separate incidents in Game Management Unit 45, north of Bliss, ID. Both elk were left to waste.
There were no antlered elk hunts in Unit 45 at the time of these poaching incidents.… more
Jump shooting: a low-cost gateway to waterfowl hunting
| idfg-imalepeai
Jump shooting ducks is an exciting way for anyone to hunt ducks and geese. It does not require expensive equipment, a dog (although handy), or having to wake up early in the morning.
All you need is:
A “plugged” shotgun, or one capable of holding no more three shells total Idaho hunting license… more