Press Releases and Articles
Pheasant Stocking Program Continues
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Legislators indicated satisfaction with current Fish and Game's pheasant stocking program when this year's results were presented to them in a meeting October 24. The bulk of the $200,000 spent on the program goes to stocking more than 14,000 roosters on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) across southern Idaho during… moreNew Southwest Supervisor Takes Over
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Don Wright is on the job as Supervisor of the Southwest Region, the largest and by far most populous of Fish and Game's seven regions. Wright has been with the department for almost 30 years, previously serving eight years as Supervisor of the Upper Snake Region. Before that, Wright worked mostly in enforcement in the… moreAsk Fish and Game
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Q. When do next year's licenses become available? A. December 1, resident and nonresident licenses will be available, as well as nonresident general-season tags.In The Field
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An illegal act in Hayden caused quite a stir this week. A poacher launched an arrow at a doe whitetail deer. Unfortunately, the arrow hit the deer. Fortunately, the arrow struck the scapula and only slightly penetrated the animal's shoulder. Time will tell, but the animal stands a good chance of recovery on its own.… morePheasant Stocking Increases
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Fish and Game will plant about twice as many birds on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) this fall compared to past years. Planting operations will begin this week. Schedules for planting birds are not publicized by the department. The pheasant planting program was increased to more than 14,000 birds on WMAs this fall… moreElk in the Clear Creek Burn: To Feed or Not to Feed?
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The Clear Creek Fire in game management unit 28 has left many people wondering what big game animals, especially elk, will be feeding on this winter. Impressions of a completely charred landscape have led to rumors that Fish and Game will feed wintering elk to make up for a lack of natural food. While a significant loss… moreAll Stop At Check Stations
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Idaho sportsmen take pride in their knowledge of hunting and fishing techniques and safety practices, but there is one basic rule that is sometimes overlooked. According to Idaho Code, "all sportsmen must stop at Fish… moreCommission Sets Tag Quotas
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The number of general hunt elk and deer tags allowed for nonresidents will be about the same for next year as in the last several years. Meeting in Salmon in early October, the Fish and Game Commission adopted the recommendations of the department in allowing 12,800 regular deer tags, 1,200 Southeast deer tags, 11,000… moreAsk Fish and Game
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Q. Does calling the Citizen's Against Poaching (CAP) really help find poachers? Can I remain anonymous and still collect a reward if the information I give them helps catch a poacher? A. Tips given to the Citizen's Against Poaching organization are very helpful in helping to apprehend a variety of miscreants.… moreCheck Stations Show Increased Hunters, Success And Satisfaction
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Check stations run by Magic Valley Regional personnel on the opening weekend of the deer season revealed an increase of hunters in the field, hunter success, and overall general satisfaction. Most hunters commented on seeing "lots of does and fawns." Check stations were operated near Little Wood Reservoir, at… moreSteelhead Anglers: Nez Perce Tribal Steelhead License Not Valid Outside Reservation
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Steelhead anglers are reminded that the Nez Perce tribal steelhead license is not valid outside the reservation boundary on the Clearwater River or on the Salmon and Snake rivers. However, an Idaho fishing license with a steelhead permit is valid on all three rivers. Steelhead anglers that posses a valid Nez Perce… morePheasant Opener Set For This Saturday, October 21st
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IDAHO FALLS - Amidst the ongoing flurry of opening days it's easy to let one slip by, but bird hunters are sure to remember that pheasant season in the Upper Snake Region starts this Saturday, October 21. While populations of these exotic birds to be found out in the "wild" remains relatively low, sportsmen looking to… moreDeer 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… moreSockeye 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.… moreMore 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… moreAsk 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… moreSteelhead 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