Press Releases and Articles
Everything you need to know for pheasant hunting in the Panhandle this season
| idfg-tjross
Whether you are a new hunter or a seasoned veteran, pheasant hunting opportunities this fall will not disappoint!
Introducing hunting to youth or adults who are new to the sport can be challenging. Pheasant hunts, however, are the perfect gateway—they are active, enjoyable and often result in plenty of… more
Panhandle hunters: Nearly 30,000 acres removed from Large Tracts Program after sale between Stimson Lumber and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe
| idfg-tjross
Since December 2024, close to 30,000 acres of private land enrolled in the Large Tracts Program have been sold by Stimson Lumber to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. The land is located on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation and has always been an important part of the Tribe’s homeland.
The sale of the lands has… more
New Access Yes! property enrolled in Unit 69 in southeast Idaho
| idfg-jbrower
Nearly 27,000 acres of privately-owned lands in southeast Idaho are now part of Idaho Fish and Game’s Access Yes! program thanks to the East Idaho Grazing Association (EIGA). And with that, comes new access rules for sportsmen and sportswomen.
For decades, hunters have enjoyed access to EIGA-owned private lands… more
Youth pheasant hunting season kicks off Saturday, Oct. 4
| idfg-cliess
Youth pheasant hunting season kicks off Saturday, Oct. 4 and runs through Oct. 10. Youth ages 17 years and younger with an Idaho hunting license can participate in the youth pheasant hunt; anyone 18 years or older cannot hunt during the youth hunt.
For full rules on the hunt, see page 11 of the 2024-25 Idaho… more
Roadwork at Horsethief Reservoir will close west-side road, facilities for about two weeks
| idfg-bpearson
Starting Monday, Sept. 22, at 7 a.m., a portion of Horsethief Road will be closed as road crews begin paving work on the west side of Horsethief Reservoir in Valley County. The closure will start at the cattle guard near the intersection of Horsethief Road and National Forest Development Road 433, and extend south to… more
Major road repairs on Lucky Peak Trail of Boise River WMA start on Sept. 21
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game will begin major road repairs on the Lucky Peak Trail of the Boise River Wildlife Management Area, starting on September 21. The road work is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete.
Lucky Peak Trail has been closed to motorized vehicles since the significant rain event on August… more
Biologists working to understand what is driving a slow kokanee recovery at Deadwood Reservoir
| idfg-bpearson
Deadwood Reservoir has long been the beating heart of Idaho’s early-run kokanee program. For decades, its wild kokanee provided both a popular sport fishery and millions of eggs used to seed other waters statewide, supporting fisheries from Lake Pend Oreille in the Panhandle to Ririe Reservoir in eastern Idaho.
… more
Waterfowl season for youth and veterans/active military personnel runs the weekend of Sept. 27-28
| idfg-cliess
Duck and goose hunting is among the coolest ways to introduce a youngster to the excitement of hunting. There's usually plenty of birds in the sky and the opportunity for a novice to experience the blinds, the decoys, and the dogs—all under the supervision and guidance of an adult.
But, you don’t just have to be… more
Mandatory CWD testing requirement remains in place for several Southwest Region units in 2025
| idfg-bpearson
Hunters should be aware that mandatory CWD testing requirements remain in place for all deer harvested in Units 23, 24, and 32A, and that samples should be provided to Fish and Game within 10 days of harvest.
While CWD testing is mandatory for deer in these units, they are not currently associated with a CWD… more
(VIDEO): How to preserve evidence of sex and species on a big game animal
| idfg-cliess
You got your deer or elk, you're excited to get it processed and out of the woods, and the knives and saws are coming out of your backpack. If you're planning to quarter the animal, which is required in any unit that's part of a CWD Management Zone, take a few minutes to give yourself a refresher on how to leave… more
Prescribed fire operations begin on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest
| idfg-gsteel
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations Thursday, Sept. 18 on the Teton Basin Ranger District, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through the weekend as weather conditions allow.
Prescribed fire management objectives are focused on fuels… more
F&G seeks information about mule deer buck illegally shot in Unit 31
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game officers are asking the public for any information regarding a mule deer buck that was shot and left to waste in Unit 31 on the afternoon of Sept. 8.
The deer was shot illegally with a rifle near Forest Service Road 008/Mill Creek Road. The only seasons open for deer in Unit 31 at that time were… more
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bluetongue virus detected in white-tailed deer in North Idaho
| idfg-tjross
In recent weeks, laboratory tests confirmed epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bluetongue virus in white-tailed deer in North Idaho. Deer from the Clearwater Region tested positive for EHD, while deer from the Panhandle Region tested positive for both diseases.
North Idaho Bear Fair to be hosted at Bonner County Fairgrounds on Sept. 27
| idfg-tjross
If you live in north Idaho, you live in bear country, plain and simple. North Idaho is home to both black and grizzly bears, and living and recreating safely in their midst requires intentionality and specific training and skills.
To help with this, Idaho Fish and Game is happy to offer a free “North Idaho Bear… more
“Getting to yes” on spearfishing in Idaho
| idfg-tjross
A new opportunity for Idahoans
On July 1, spearfishing for certain game fish in specific locations was legalized in Idaho. Before that, it was only permitted for unprotected, nongame fish species. The effort represents a strong collaboration between the public, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and Fish and… more
Hunters asked to help with Chronic Wasting Disease testing in the Salmon Region
| idfg-mdemick
Big game hunters are asked to help Idaho Fish and Game monitor for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) by providing samples from their harvested deer or elk.
CWD is a contagious and always-fatal disease that affects mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, caribou and moose. There is no cure for this fatal… more
IDAHO’S FALL CHINOOK SALMON SEASON UPDATE: 9/12/2025
| idfg-jdupont
The fall Chinook Salmon season in the Snake River basin opened on August 18, and good numbers of fish are starting to enter Idaho. So, I thought it would be good to send out an update to share with you what we are learning and whether any changes in the season may occur in the future.
Run Status
Fall… more
Conservation project planned to protect Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Teton Canyon
| idfg-jbrower
Idaho Fish and Game is launching a conservation project this fall to protect native Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the Teton River Canyon. On Oct. 8, biologists will conduct a rotenone treatment on the lower 5.5 miles of Badger Creek to reduce non-native rainbow trout that pose a threat to the genetic integrity of… more