Press Releases and Articles
Fish 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… moreFish and Game surveying hunters about controlled hunt drawings and auction tags
| idfg-mdemick
Fish and Game is gathering opinions from hunters about possibly changing controlled hunt drawing odds and increasing the number of big game tags offered through auction. For many years, some hunters have expressed interest in changing Idaho's controlled hunt drawing system to favor those who were unsuccessful in… moreDeer hunters should expect a good fall
| idfg-mdemick
Deer hunters are gearing up for opening day of rifle season across much of Idaho, as deer numbers are up and opportunity is high. Idaho Fish and Game has a lot of reasons to be optimistic for a very good season. Four consecutive mild winters across most of Idaho are resulting in high numbers of deer than we've seen… moreCheck stations give Fish and Game a glimpse of the hunting season
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game's check stations help the department gather valuable information from hunters, and their help and cooperation is appreciated during big-game seasons. Fish and Game operates about 16 "biological" check stations throughout Idaho during fall. Department employees and volunteers typically interview 10… moreSteelhead Counts Picking Up
| idfg-mdemick
The number of steelhead migrating into Idaho is increasing, as counts over Lower Granite Dam have been in the thousands for about three weeks now. During the four day period ending on Sunday, October 4, the average count at Lower Granite was over 2,700 fish per day. While fish managers expect fewer steelhead to… moreSalmon Zone Elk B Tags sold out
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho resident and nonresident Salmon Zone elk B tags for game management hunt units 28, 21, 21A, and 36B are sold out for 2015. The Salmon Zone's 2,507 allotted elk B tags for 2015 were sold out for residents on September 2 and September 17 for nonresidents. Resident junior hunters under the age of 18 may purchase… moreAsk Fish and Game: Big game cartridge limit
| idfg-mdemick
Q. I understand that I can only legally have three shells in my shotgun when I hunt migratory birds, but what about hunting big game with my rifle? A. Idaho does not have a rule limiting the number of cartridges in a hunting rifle, nor for a shotgun while hunting non-migratory game birds. However, migratory bird… moreSalmon Zone B Elk Tags Sold Out
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho resident and nonresident Salmon Zone B tags for game management hunt units 28, 21, 21A, and 36B are sold out for 2015. The Salmon Zone's 2,507 allotted elk B tags for 2015 were sold out for residents on September 2 and September 17 for nonresidents. Idaho Fish and Game's Headquarters office is keeping a… morePronghorn Left to Waste in Shoshone Basin
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking information on a case where a pronghorn antelope buck was shot multiple times with a small caliber firearm and left to waste near Horse Creek Reservoir in Shoshone Basin. "Based on the evidence, the buck was likely killed between 1 and 6 pm on Sunday Sept 27," said Jim Stirling, Idaho… moreLake Pend Oreille Kokanee Spawning Enhancement Begins
| idfg-mdemick
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game plans to begin the second phase of a three-year project to increase the amount of available kokanee spawning habitat in Lake Pend Oreille. The work will be completed along the shoreline of Idlewild Bay on the southern end of the lake. Kokanee spawn on gravel substrates, so… moreYouth Mentored Waterfowl and Upland Game Hunts Offered near Idaho Falls
| idfg-mdemick
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game in the Upper Snake Region will be offering a number of mentored youth hunts throughout the upcoming upland game and waterfowl seasons. These opportunities will focus on youth between the ages of 10 and 15 who are first-time hunters that come from non-hunting families. IDFG will… moreGrizzly Bear Killed Near Idaho - Montana Border
| idfg-mdemick
HENRYS LAKE: A young male grizzly bear approximately three to four years of age was reportedly struck by multiple vehicles as it attempted to cross Highway 20 near the Idaho - Montana border. The incident occurred at approximately 11:00PM on September 27, 2015. The bear died immediately and the Fremont County Sheriff'… moreMember of Hunting Party Attacked by Black Bear
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Department of Fish and Game is investigating a report of a black bear attack on a member of a hunting party over the weekend. The attack occurred on Sunday, September 27 in the Dry Valley Area of Unit 76 in southeast Idaho approximately 14 miles northeast of Soda Springs. The individual was treated at Caribou… moreIrrigation Canals Open for Fish Salvage
| idfg-mdemick
De-watered Southwest Idaho irrigation ditches diverting water from the Boise, Payette, Snake and Weiser Rivers will open to public fish salvage beginning Thursday, October 1 and will remain open to salvage through Sunday, November 15, 2015. This fish salvage order is limited to the following canals: - Ballentyne… moreSurvival tips for big game hunters
| idfg-lfrench
Every fall, hunters get lost in the woods, and while most escape no worse than tired, chilled and hungry, the hazards of being lost in Idaho's woods shouldn't be underestimated. Hunters can take precautions and prepare for an unexpected stay in the woods. Don't rely only on electronics. Items like GPS receivers,… moreYouth pheasant hunt opens October 3
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho's youth pheasant season opens statewide Saturday, October 3, and runs through October 9 for all licensed hunters 15 years old or younger. The week-long hunt opens a half hour before sunrise in Area 1, 2 and 3, except on the C.J. Strike, Fort Boise, Montour, Niagara Springs, Payette River, and Sterling wildlife… moreWolf trapping certification courses scheduled this fall
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho rules require prospective wolf trappers to successfully complete a Wolf Trapper Certification course before they can purchase wolf trapping tags. For those planning to trap wolves this winter, six courses are scheduled over the next two months at Fish and Game offices throughout the state. All courses run from… more