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Idaho Fish and Game

Press Releases and Articles

Deer Hunting Success Up

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Even with less than ideal hunting conditions, mule deer hunters across most of southern Idaho found more deer on the hunting opener. Hunters generally prefer cooler, wetter weather for pursuing big game than they saw the first few days of the season this fall. Deer are supremely well-equipped to hear humans tramping… more

Sockeye Exceed Expectations

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Salmon biologists expected a sockeye return last summer of about 100 fish but 257 actually made the trip back to Idaho. Compared to most years since sockeye captive breeding was established in the early 1990s, this year's return is dramatic. The 1990s saw returns in single digits. Sometimes the digit was 1 or even 0.… more

More of Unit 28 Ready for Hunters

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About two-thirds of Unit 28 in the Clear Creek burn area near Salmon has been re-opened to hunting. Meeting in a telephone conference call October 12, Fish and Game Commissioners voted unanimously to re-open another section of Unit 28. The hunting unit was closed at the request of the Forest Service so workers could… more

Ask Fish and Game

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Q. I've got a two-pole validation. Can I fish for steelhead with two poles? A. No, the rules on fishing specifically prohibit fishing with two poles for salmon or steelhead.

Fish and Game on the Alert for Diseased Deer

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A disease outbreak spread by gnats is responsible for the deaths of some 35 deer, discovered in a small area of hunting unit 11A southwest of Orofino. However, authorities at Idaho Department of Fish and Game Fish (IDFG) report the public shouldn't worry because there is no danger of the disease being spread to… more

Steelhead Run Continues Climb

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Idaho steelhead enthusiasts tend to be a hardy bunch who can tolerate a little adversity, but this fall-with a large run coming into the rivers early-they have a rare opportunity to go after the big ocean-run fish in shirtsleeve weather. The largest number of steelhead to cross Lower Granite Dam since the 1985 run is… more

Commission Changes Elk Zone

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The current Big Desert elk hunting zone will be split for next fall's hunting season. The Fish and Game Commission acted in its October meeting in Salmon to leave Unit 52A and 68 in the Big Desert zone, to be managed for quality elk hunting. Units 63 68A and 53 will become known as the Snake River zone where elk… more

Fire Refunds for Salmon River Anglers

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Meeting in Salmon October 5, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted to approve license refunds for anglers who purchased short-term fishing licenses to fish on Salmon River float trips which were subsequently cancelled by Forest Service area closures. Segments of the Salmon River and the Middle Fork of the Salmon were… more

Ask Fish and Game

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Q. Are there rules against electronic gadgets on hunting equipment? A. There are for big game hunting. In the state Administrative Procedures Act rules section for Fish and Game, section 13.01.08 is "Rules governing the taking of big game animals." It specifies that it is unlawful to hunt big game "with any… more

Youth Pheasant Hunt Scheduled

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Your Salmon Region Fish and Game is offering a Youth Pheasant Hunt for budding young upland gamebird hunters on Saturday, October 28th. Participants will begin their day by meeting at the Fish and Game office to spend some time learning about pheasants as well as about hunting with dogs. The group will then move to the… more

Pheasant Youth Hunt Slated

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First time bird hunters have a chance to learn from the experts at an upcoming pheasant youth hunt sponsored by the Canyon County Chapter of Pheasants Forever. Designed for first-time bird hunters of any age, the event will be held at Idaho Sporting Clays and Game Birds in Homedale on Saturday October 14. "Persons… more

Proper Disposal of Game Waste

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With big game season nearly underway, hunters that butcher their own game are encouraged to dispose of their wastes properly. Authorities at the Nez Perce County Solid Waste Station in Lewiston, remind hunters that proper disposal is very simple. Hunters can place their game waste in a good heavy bag, seal it, and… more

Be Careful with Fire, Feed

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Hunters need to remember that the fire hazard on Idaho's wildlands has only been reduced from powderkeg to tinderbox level in many parts of Idaho. Though moisture and cooler temperatures have brought the danger down somewhat from a month ago when many public lands were closed to access, much of Idaho remains extremely… more

Best Steelhead Run in Five Years Comes Early

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The best steelhead run in at least five years, maybe the best since 1992-93, is coming ahead of schedule. Counted at Lower Granite Dam, the last dam on the Snake River fish must cross before reaching Idaho, this year's run is about 112 percent ahead of the 10-year average and 62 percent above last year's, according to… more

Successful Hunters Asked to Report

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Successful elk and deer hunters are now the only ones who need to send a harvest report to Fish and Game. This is a change from the last two hunting seasons when all deer and elk hunters were required to file harvest reports. Reports are to be filed within 10 days of taking an animal. No report is required of those… more

Ask Fish and Game

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Q. Can I look up Idaho big game records on the internet? A.Yes, go to the Fish and Game website at www.state.id.us/fishgame and select "Wildlife," then scroll down to the link titled "Idaho Big Game Records". Here you can find the complete listing of Idaho's big game records through 1999. It includes deer, elk,… more

Fall Hunting Outlook

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Despite months of drought and weeks of fire, the fall hunting season is shaping up to be a great one, regardless of the game you plan to pursue. Here's a rundown of this year's hunting predictions in Southwest Idaho by Fish and Game Wildlife Manager Lou Nelson: Big Game Deer - Fawn survival was excellent in the Boise… more

Highland Valley Road to be Closed

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The 2,500-acre wildfire which burned in the Boise River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) last weekend has led to the closure of Highland Valley Road effective at midnight on Monday, October 2, 2000. The closure includes all motorized and non-motorized vehicle traffic. Walk-in traffic is not affected by the closure. For… more