Press Releases and Articles
Be respectful of birds and their habitats while observing or photographing them
| idfg-bpearson
A great gray owl — a relatively uncommon raptor in Southwest Idaho — was recently spotted by birders at a popular birding location in the region, and Fish and Game biologists are reminding people who are eager to snap the perfect photo to be respectful of birds and their habitats.
While the majority… more
F&G biologist Frances Cassirer receives national award for her bighorn sheep research
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game Senior Wildlife Research Biologist Frances Cassirer was recently named the 2022 recipient of the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Statesman Award.
“Frances is a leader among our state and regional partners, and her research is cutting edge,” said Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation President, Bill… more
From Hatch to Catch: Hayspur Hatchery near Picabo is Idaho’s rainbow trout capital
| idfg-cliess
There are few moments in an angler’s life that rival catching their first rainbow trout, and whether you caught it on a hare’s-ear fly or a nightcrawler, chances are good there’s a special place in your memory for the first time you hooked one of Idaho’s most precious fish.
The story of a hatchery trout’s… more
Applications for 2022 spring turkey controlled hunts open Feb. 1
| idfg-cliess
Applications for 2022 spring turkey controlled hunts open Feb. 1. Turkey hunters looking to apply can do so through March 1.
On Jan. 27, Fish and Game Commission adopted the proposed 2022-23 upland game, turkey and furbearer seasons and bag limits. The proposed seasons and changes were open for public comment… more
Hunter Education instructors needed in the Southwest Region
| idfg-bpearson
Are you a safe and responsible hunter or trapper? Are you passionate about hunting ethics? Do you like sharing your knowledge and skills with youth and adults new to Idaho’s hunting traditions?
If so, you should consider becoming a volunteer hunter education instructor for Idaho Fish and Game's Southwest… more
Reminder that most roads in the Panhandle’s wildlife management areas are not maintained during winter
| idfg-tjross
It’s no secret, Jack Frost has brought winter to the Panhandle in full force. As pretty and serene as the snow is, it certainly brings unique challenges when it comes to motorized vehicle access and use.
The Panhandle is home to six wildlife management areas managed by Idaho Fish and Game for the benefit of… more
Farragut Shooting Range Center will remain closed due to lingering icy conditions
| idfg-tjross
Due to continued icy and unsafe roads and conditions, the range will remain closed until further notice. Please check our website for future updates on when the range will reopen, or you can call the Panhandle Regional office at (208) 769-1414. Thank you for your continued patience.
The roads… more
Stairway at Harpster Access site now completed and open for use
| idfg-jbruns
The steel galvanized stairs to our new fishing access site at Harpster on the South Fork of the Clearwater River is now completed. In 2020, Idaho Fish and Game purchased this popular fishing site property from the Scott Family. Not only is this a popular site for fisherman it is also one of the more productive sites… more
Latest Fish and Game wolf population estimate is 1,543 and stable since 2019
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho’s wolf population has remained stable and consistent over the last three years based on camera surveys done last summer and since 2019. The 2021 population estimate for Aug. 1 was 1,543 wolves. The 2020 and 2019 estimates were 1,556 and 1,566.
Fish and Game staff deploy cameras… more
Hunter Education instructors needed in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-tthompson
Are you a safe and responsible hunter or trapper?
Are you passionate about hunting ethics?
Do you like sharing your knowledge and skills with youth and adults new to Idaho’s hunting traditions?
If you answered yes to these questions you should consider becoming a volunteer hunter education… more
Magic Valley Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee Tour
| idfg-jguthrie
The purposes of the Magic Valley Winter Feeding Advisory Committee is to provide recommendations to IDFG regional staff on the implementation of emergency winter feeding for big game. The purpose of this meeting and tour is to show the Winter Feeding Advisory Committee locations where winter feeding occurred during… more
Cascade and Payette Lakes ice conditions - Jan. 25, 2022
| idfg-mthomas
On Tuesday, January 25th we checked surface and ice conditions on Cascade and Payette Lakes. On Lake Cascade, surface and ice conditions are excellent on the majority of the lake. However, poor ice conditions (white ice) exist between the Sugarloaf Island and Crown Point areas. These conditions are a… more
Idaho Fish and Game will host spring/summer Chinook fisheries public meetings, request public input in February
| idfg-jdupont
Don’t miss an opportunity to attend one of six public meetings to provide comments and opinions on how best to manage the 2022 spring/summer Chinook salmon fisheries in the Clearwater, Hells Canyon, lower Salmon, Little Salmon, and South Fork Salmon river drainages.
Free pizza and refreshments will be provided… more
Feeding backyard deer and elk does more harm than good
| idfg-cliess
Seeing a herd of deer outside your door or a head of elk may seem idyllic, and during winter they can almost seem tame. But truth is they’re wild animals that need to remain wild animals, and feeding them can quickly create a variety of problems.
Here’s how a simple well-meaning act can lead to a neighborhood-… more
Rare to Idaho, a ringtail was recently found in Twin Falls, and you can see it in a video
| idfg-tthompson
Finding a ringtail in Idaho is a very rare occurrence, and the last few sightings have happened near Twin Falls. In early December 2021 staff from the Amalgamated Sugar factory south of Twin Falls spotted a ringtail on the property. Within a few days a wildlife biologist from the Magic Valley Regional set traps with a… more
Mule deer trapping conducted by Fish and Game biologists to help assess winter survival
| idfg-tthompson
Fish and Game biologists with the Magic Valley Region are spending time this winter collaring mule deer does and fawns to assess survival over the coming winter months. Biologists need the data supplied by the GPS collars to make informed recommendations to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission who set upcoming hunting… more
Farragut Shooting Range Center will remain closed due to lingering icy conditions
| idfg-tjross
Due to continued icy and unsafe roads and conditions, the range will remain closed until further notice. Please check our website for future updates on when the range will reopen, or you can call the Panhandle Regional office at (208) 769-1414. Thank you for your continued patience.
The roads… more