Press Releases and Articles
Win prizes by participating in the new Kootenai River Angler Science Program!
| idfg-tjross
For some, winter is a time to hibernate in the comfort of a warm home, enjoying a hot drink by the fireplace. For others, winter offers a unique opportunity to try their hand at landing the native and once rare burbot from the Kootenai River.
… more
Two more Chronic Wasting Disease cases detected in cow elk and white-tailed doe in Unit 14
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game received notice on Jan. 10 that two more animals, a cow elk and a white-tailed deer doe, have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. Both animals were in Unit 14 in Idaho County. The whitetail was about 4 miles south of Slate Creek in the same area as other CWD-positive deer, and the elk was… more
Applications for spring black bear controlled hunts runs Jan. 15 through Feb. 15
| idfg-cliess
Hunters looking to apply for 2022 spring's controlled hunts for black bear can apply from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15. Information on the spring 2022 controlled black bear hunt can be found in the Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules book.
Hunters must have a 2022 hunting license in order to apply for controlled… more
Lake Cascade ice conditions - Jan. 11, 2022
| idfg-mthomas
On Wednesday, January 11 we checked surface and ice conditions on Lake Cascade. Ice and surface conditions have improved throughout the lake since our last update, and travel is now conducive to snowmobile use in most areas. With with mild daytime highs, cold nighttime lows, and minimal snow… more
Video: Waterfowl flock to Deer Parks Wildlife Management Area
| idfg-jbrower
The skies over Deer Parks Wildlife Management Area are filled with activity this January as waterfowl fly between the grain fields planted for them by Fish and Game. Trumpeter swans, Canada geese and ducks have all shown up by the thousands to feed.
The spectacle can easily be viewed from… more
Wood River Valley elk have a rough week getting entangled and trapped around area homes
| idfg-tthompson
Over a two-day period Fish and Game officers responded to four reports of elk becoming entangled in various materials or trapped in window wells in the southern Wood River Valley.
The first report came on the morning of January 7, 2022 of a cow elk with some type of disk around its neck. Local Conservation… more
Helicopter flights to collar mule deer fawns, elk calves begin in Southwest Region
| idfg-bpearson
Beginning in mid-January, Idaho Fish and Game staff in the Southwest Region will use low-flying helicopters to capture and collar deer fawns and elk calves in units 22, 23, 31, 32, 33, 35, and 39. The activity is part of Fish and Game’s annual efforts to monitor winter survival. These flights are scheduled to wrap up… more
It’s known as a ‘Kootenai leopard’ and it tastes like lobster. Introducing, the burbot
| idfg-cliess
Riddle me this: What lives in the Kootenai River, has the body of a cod, the meat of a lobster and the soul patch of Frank Zappa? No, that’s not a trick question. There really is a species of freshwater cod that calls the Kootenai River home, but that almost came to an end just 20 years ago. Herein lies… more
F&G to begin helicopter surveys for big game animals in the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower
Beginning in mid-January, Idaho Fish and Game staff will use low-flying helicopters to count deer and elk populations in Unit 50 of the Pioneer Zone. Disturbance to the animals is kept to the minimum needed to acquire accurate information and is generally less than a few minutes. Survey flights for… more
Fish and Game seeks public input about campground improvements to Silver Creek access sites
| idfg-mpeterson
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public input about proposed improvements to the Silver Creek West and Silver Creek East access site in the Wood River Valley. The improvements would include construction of designated camp sites and other campground improvements.
The public is invited to an open house to… more
Farragut Shooting Range Center will be closed Jan. 7-9 and Jan. 14-16
| idfg-tjross
Due to extreme winter weather, staffing challenges and vehicle and machinery problems, the Farragut Shooting Range Center will be closed Jan. 7-9 and Jan. 14-16. It is anticipated to reopen at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 21.
Although winter hours for the range are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m.… more
Trapper education class offered in the Glenns Ferry
| idfg-tthompson
A trapper education class is being offered by Fish and Game in conjunction with the Idaho Trappers Association fur auction in Glenns Ferry on Saturday, January 15, 2022. The class will run from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $9.75.
From 1:00 – 4:00 pm on Saturday January 15, 2022… more
Fish and Game to offer official big game and trophy scoring opportunity in Jerome
| idfg-tthompson
As big game hunting seasons wrap up here in Idaho many start to think about other outdoor winter activities, but here’s an opportunities for hunters to revisit past successful hunts for years to come by having their antlers, horns or skulls officially scored by Fish and Game staff.
Many hunters are interested… more
Last call for 2021 big game hunter reports
| idfg-cliess
With many of Idaho’s big game hunting season now closed, Idaho Fish and Game reminds hunters to fill out their hunter harvest reports if they purchased a deer, elk or pronghorn tag in 2021. All big game hunters are required to file a report for each tag they purchased, whether they hunted or not.
As the final… more
Winter feeding of big game is not the cure that people anticipate
| idfg-tthompson
One of the reasons that we all enjoy living in Idaho is that it is common to see wildlife close to where we live. While we all enjoy watching wildlife, especially if it might happen close to our communities, wild animals should not be encouraged to take up residence within towns and neighborhoods.
Wildlife is… more
Heavy snowfall in southcentral Idaho can bring more mountain lions into area communities
| idfg-tthompson
This winter, Fish and Game started receiving more frequent mountain lion reports throughout the Wood River Valley starting in early December. Cached prey from lion kills has been found in locations north of Hailey, and residents are reporting tracks around their homes from Bellevue to Ketchum.
A… more
Lake Cascade ice conditions - Jan. 5, 2022
| idfg-mthomas
On Wednesday, January 5 we checked surface and ice conditions on Lake Cascade. Ice conditions are similar to those reported last week with fishable ice observed (at least 4 inches) at each location. Traveling on the lake has become more difficult with warming temperatures and greater amounts of slush… more
Trail cameras capture interesting wildlife diversity at Boise's MK Nature Center
| idfg-sfocht
Over the years, Fish and Game staff at MK Nature Center have used trail cameras to capture wildlife sightings on this special 4.5-acres of wildlife habitat near the Boise River and downtown Boise. For the past 20 years, Boise has grown and become more urbanized around the MK Nature Center, but… more