Idaho Fish and Game investigating elk meat dumped on roadside in Bear Lake County

Fri, 10/11/2024 - 11:26 | idfg-jjackson

On September 30, Idaho Fish and Game Senior Conservation Officer Kolby White received a call from an archery hunter who had discovered four quarters of a harvested elk alongside a road near Geneva in Bear Lake County.

Officer White investigated the report and confirmed that the quarters had been dumped on US… more

Wolf trapper education course offered in Salmon Nov. 2

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 15:41 | idfg-mdemick

An instructor-led wolf trapper education course will be offered in Salmon on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Idaho Fish and Game office located at 99 Highway 93 North.  

Wolf trapper education courses are usually offered just a few times a year locally - so if you need to complete the course,… more

Salmon Region irrigators asked to contact Fish and Game before turning water off this fall

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 10:49 | 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

Seats available in Southwest Idaho for Trapper, Wolf Trapper certification courses

Wed, 10/09/2024 - 16:33 | idfg-bpearson

Idaho Fish and Game's Southwest Region has several upcoming instructor-led certification courses, including one Trapper Education class and two Wolf Trapper Education classes, with plenty of open seats. Find a date that works for you below, and follow the links to register for a class:

Trapper Certification

… more

Fish and Game to monitor impacts to fisheries from quagga mussel treatment

Wed, 10/09/2024 - 09:14 | idfg-tthompson

Quagga mussels have once again been detected in the Snake River near Twin Falls. The new detections were a result of extensive proactive monitoring done by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), the state agency responsible for invasive species monitoring and management. 

While ISDA detected… more

Upper Salmon River Fall 2024 Steelhead Fishing Update (10-08-2024)

Tue, 10/08/2024 - 08:44 | idfg-bbeller

Hi everyone, IDFG creel employees began interviewing steelhead anglers along the Upper Salmon River last Thursday (October 3rd). Angler effort and catch were low during the first weekend of monitoring, but both were at levels higher than what we have observed during the first week of October since 2015. 

… more

Winchester Lake waterfowl hunting opens Oct 19

Mon, 10/07/2024 - 17:21 | idfg-jbruns

Idaho Fish and Game along with Winchester State Park are excited to announce the second year of limited waterfowl hunting at Winchester Lake.  Fish and Game is teamed up with Winchester State Park to provide more opportunities for waterfowl hunters in the Clearwater Region.  Specific rules are in place to… more

Hunting/technology working group named, meetings to start in November

Mon, 10/07/2024 - 12:59 | idfg-rphillips

Idaho Fish and Game has named 24 members to its Hunting and Advanced Technology working group that will review current technology used in big game hunting and provide recommendations to the Fish and Game Commission if the working group feels changes to hunting rules are warranted. 

“We’re humbled that more… more

2024 Hunting Outlook: Mule Deer

Mon, 10/07/2024 - 09:20 | idfg-cliess

Statewide, mule deer numbers appear to be improving, while eastern Idaho’s muleys—after suffering from one of the worst winters on record in 2023—are starting to gradually grow thanks to a much-needed mild winter. Winter survival is typically the driving factor for mule deer herds, and the long-term average is about 60… more

F&G seeks information regarding the killing of grizzly bear in Clark County west of Island Park Reservoir

Fri, 10/04/2024 - 17:28 | idfg-jbrower

On September 2nd, an adult female grizzly bear was found shot and killed in Clark County near Lower Shotgun Road, in the Willow Creek drainage, west of Island Park Reservoir. Fish and Game is seeking information from the public regarding the incident and would appreciate hearing from anyone that may have heard or seen… more

Dworshak Reservoir 2024-25 Fisheries Update

Fri, 10/04/2024 - 13:28 | idfg-tzumwalt

By Tyler Zumwalt

Dworshak Reservoir has provided great angling opportunities in 2024. Reports from anglers and research by Idaho Fish & Game showed that kokanee fishing was better than the previous two years and Smallmouth Bass continued to provide a world-class fishery. Additionally, Rainbow Trout stocking… more

Be a Good Witness: How citizens play a vital role in solving wildlife crime

Thu, 10/03/2024 - 10:25 | idfg-jberl

Every year, Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers rely on citizen reports to identify and investigate wildlife violations throughout the state. Without dedicated sportsmen and women doing the right thing—making the call and reporting—many wildlife violations would go undetected, undocumented, and unsolved. … more

(VIDEO): How to preserve evidence of sex and species on a big game animal

Thu, 10/03/2024 - 10:16 | idfg-cliess

Failure to leave evidence of sex and species naturally attached to a big game animal remains one of the most common violations detected at Idaho Fish and Game check stations. So in order to help hunters, Fish and Game staff have created a helpful video that walk you through how to leave evidence of sex and species… more

Pheasant season opens Oct. 12 or Oct. 19 depending on the area

Thu, 10/03/2024 - 09:59 | idfg-cliess

Pheasant season opens Oct. 12 in North Idaho and Oct. 19 in South and East Idaho. See area maps for opening dates on page 11 of the Idaho Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer seasons and rules. 

Fish and Game will stock over 28,000 pheasants this year at locations in every region of the state. Hunters can see… more

Public comment now open for proposed rules, including hunting big game animals with bait, spearfishing, and more

Wed, 10/02/2024 - 14:26 | idfg-cliess

Idaho Fish and Game has opened a public comment period for the following proposed rules:

Rules Governing Use of Bait for Hunting Big Game Animals Rules Governing Mandatory Education, Mentored Hunting, and Shooting Ranges Rules Governing Taking of Wildlife Rules Governing Fish, Fishing Methods and Gear

Written… more

SE Region Mule Deer Advisory Committee to meet October 7 in Soda Springs

Wed, 10/02/2024 - 13:03 | idfg-jjackson

The Southeast Region Mule Deer Advisory Committee will be meeting on Monday, Oct. 7, in Soda Springs.  Meeting time, location, and agenda items follow.

 

Southeast Region Mule Deer Advisory Committee Meeting Notice

October 7, 6-9 p.m.

Historical Enders Building (76 S Main St.),… more

Clearwater Wildlife Blog #4 – Hunting season strategies

Wed, 10/02/2024 - 13:00 | idfg-jbruns

Important details to help hunters comply with new Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone in a portion of Unit 1

Tue, 10/01/2024 - 15:40 | idfg-tjross

The newly established Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone in a portion of Unit 1 has understandably generated questions among the public. Idaho Fish and Game staff in the Panhandle Region are prepared and committed to make complying with the new rules as easy as possible.