Press Releases and Articles
White-tailed deer illegally shot and left to waste in southeast Idaho
| idfg-jjackson
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking information regarding a white-tailed deer buck that was illegally shot and left to waste in Game Management Unit 68A in southeast Idaho sometime between Sept. 20 and Sept. 23.
The only hunts available for deer in Unit 68A are controlled archery-only hunts from Aug. 30 – Dec. 19.… more
Successful or not, hunters and anglers must stop at check stations
| idfg-cliess
Check stations are an opportunity for Fish and Game staff to talk to thousands of hunters and see thousands of harvested animals. The goal is for Fish and Game personnel to get information and learn what's happening in the field and also answer questions, collect samples for chronic wasting disease… more
What EHD means to Clearwater Region white-tailed deer hunters
| idfg-jbruns
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is not a threat to humans or livestock, but it can be alarming to hunters and landowners who encounter sick or dead deer. Fish and Game has received many questions about the outbreak, what it means for hunting this year, and what to expect for the future of white-tailed deer… more
Salmon Region irrigators asked to contact Fish and Game before turning water off this fall
| idfg-mdemick
With the irrigation season winding down and efforts to keep fish out of ditches, local irrigators who divert water from rivers and streams in Idaho’s Salmon Region are asked to call Idaho Fish and Game’s Fish Screen Program at 756-6022 several days before shutting off their water for the season. … more
Careful…that may not be the trophy bull you think it is
| idfg-cliess
You pull the binoculars up to your eyes and, lo and behold, that blurry brown object just off the side of the road appears to be a moose. And not just any moose— a very respectable bull. Or so it seems.
Taking a shot on that suspiciously still bull might seem tempting, but it could also be a very costly mistake… more
Pheasant season opens Oct. 11 or Oct. 18 depending on the area
| idfg-cliess
Pheasant season opens Oct. 11 in north Idaho and Oct. 18 in south and east Idaho. See area maps for opening dates on pages 11-12 of the Idaho Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer seasons and rules booklet.
Fish and Game will stock nearly 29,000 pheasants this year at locations in every region of the state.… more
10 tips for firearm handling safety while out hunting this fall
| idfg-cliess
Statistics from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) show that hunting with firearms is actually one of the safest recreational activities in the country. That’s not to say that accidents can’t happen, and practicing safe firearm handling can greatly reduce the risk.
In recent years, about 280,000… more
Part 2: Depredation prevention can keep landowners content and big game herds abundant
| idfg-rphillips
A couple sits inside a pickup late on a winter night when most people are warm and safe indoors. The wind whistles and snowflakes the size of moths fly by their windshield as they scan the darkness with a spotlight for telltale glowing eyes of an elk herd coming to feed on a haystack.
A few blasts of an… more
October trout stocking schedule for the Southeast Region
| idfg-jjackson
Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Southeast Region will be releasing nearly 185,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations during October! This is no trick… it is all treat!!
Temporary public access closure at Edson Fichter Nature Area in Pocatello
| idfg-tatwood
Idaho Fish and Game will be temporarily closing all public access to the Edson Fichter Nature Area in Pocatello for necessary repairs, starting Tuesday Oct. 7. Public access is expected to resume the afternoon or evening of the 7th, depending on construction progress.
Please for your safety, respect the… more
Comment period is open for Fish and Game's proposed rulemaking, deadline to comment Oct. 22
| idfg-rphillips
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has approved the following proposed rules to proceed to the public comment phase. Comment period is open and deadline to comment is Oct. 22. Comment here.
Here’s a summary of the proposed changes.
Chapter 13.01.03: Public Use of Lands Owned or Controlled by the… more
Bear injures hiker in Fremont County
| idfg-jbrower
Fremont County – A hiker was injured in a bear attack near Squirrel Creek in Fremont County on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 30.
The hiker, an adult male, was traveling alone on the South rim of Squirrel Creek when a bear charged at him through the thick timber from a short distance away. The bear bit the… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for October 2025 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game's Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 38,100 10-12'' catchable-sized rainbow trout in October. The stocking date and number of fish are approximate.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns… more
FALL CHINOOK SALMON UPDATE: harvest of unclipped Chinook resumes Oct. 4
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody. I have good news to report. After closely reviewing all the available data with the Nez Perce Tribe and other agencies, we have confidence that the number of adult wild fall Chinook Salmon that will pass above Lower Granite Dam will exceed 5,040 fish. If you have read my previous updates (fall chinook and… more
Part 1: Private lands are an important part of Idaho’s big game habitat
| idfg-rphillips
A hunter drives by a rancher’s field and sees a herd of elk, including several bulls, after only seeing a few elk in his favorite hunting spot the previous season. While he always enjoys seeing elk, he’s frustrated that they are casually feeding behind a no trespassing sign.
“Some guys have all the… more
EHD is a recurring disease and an unfortunate reality for Idaho’s white-tailed deer
| idfg-rphillips
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease occurs periodically in Idaho, typically during hot summers and during drought. It mostly affects white-tailed deer, but mule deer can also contract it. The disease is caused by a virus spread by gnats when deer are concentrated near ponds, reservoirs and other water sources with exposed… more
Important reminders about rules in the Unit 1 CWD management zone
| idfg-tjross
After chronic wasting disease was detected in three white-tailed deer near Bonners Ferry, a portion of Unit 1 was designated as a CWD management zone effective Oct. 1. During the 2024 hunting season, three additional white-tailed deer also tested positive for CWD within the management zone.
Mule deer 2025: Here's where we are, and from where we've come
| idfg-rphillips
Mule deer hunters have reason to be optimistic about this fall, and cautious about the future. Mule deer harvest increased by 30% last fall over the 2023 season, and signs look promising we could see another harvest bump.
Positive signs for 2025Mild-to-normal winters typically grow Idaho’s mule deer herds… more