Press Releases and Articles
Fire Restrictions in Effect
| idfg-staff
Because of extremely dry conditions in much of Idaho, several agencies have restricted fire use on public land. Friday, August 31 was the first day of Stage One fire restrictions for much of the public land in Idaho. The restrictions apply on lands of the Boise, Payette and north portion of the Sawtooth national… moreChukar Count Best Since 1987
| idfg-staff
Chukar numbers in the Brownlee Reservoir area of the Snake River are the best since the banner year of 1987. The annual helicopter survey of a 12 square mile area along Brownlee Reservoir during the last week of August turned up 1,724 chukar in 127 groups for a 143.7 chukar per square mile average. That is 63 percent… moreDon't Forget Your HIP
| idfg-staff
All migratory bird hunters are required to have the $1.50 federal Harvest Information Program validation on their Idaho licenses. Idaho has the dubious distinction of being among the four states with the lowest correlation between the Harvest Information Program survey and the duck stamp survey. About 15 percent of… moreAsk Fish and Game
| idfg-staff
Q. I plan on hunting deer and elk in the archery season that opened August 30. Bear season will also be open. Can I pack a gun to shoot a bear, or am I restricted to using my bow? A. You can take a gun to shoot a bear. Just remember not to shoot your deer or elk with the gun. You would be wise to leave your bow in… moreChukar Surveys Indicate Numbers Up This Year
| idfg-staff
A survey of chukar partridge conducted by Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologists along the Snake and Salmon rivers indicates the region's hunters may find more of the popular gamebirds this fall. The mid-August helicopter survey of portions of the lower Salmon River and lower Snake River recorded a 58 percent… moreFire Restrictions In Effect On Craig Mountain
| idfg-staff
Because of the extremely dry forest conditions, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will restrict fire use on the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area near Lewiston from Monday, September 3 until further notice. The fire restrictions are temporary and do not apply to Federal or other State agency managed land at… moreNez Perce County Early Goose Hunt to Begin September 8
| idfg-staff
Waterfowl hunters will get an early shot at the local goose population during the Nez Perce County early goose hunt scheduled for September 8 through September 14, 2001 Hunters can harvest four birds daily with a possession limit of eight birds. Hunters must hold a valid 2001 hunting license, a federal migratory game… moreAttention: Archery Hunters And Landowners
| idfg-staff
The Idaho Fish and Game Department will be conducting a rifle depredation hunt for anterless white-tailed deer in Unit 8A, in the vicinity of Southwick and Cavendish through September 16, 2001. Archery hunters should proceed with caution if hunting in this area. The purpose of the hunt is to help prevent crop damage… moreHoly Catfish - New State Record Caught Near Lewiston
| idfg-staff
Twelve-year old Kenny Bob Decker of Kooskia recently caught a 31.05 pound Channel catfish at Mann Lake near Lewiston, making the fish the new state record. The middle school student was fishing from the bank using 30-pound test line and nightcrawlers for bait when he set the record. According to the young angler,… moreSteelhead Limits Raised
| idfg-staff
Meeting by conference call August 27, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to raise the limits on hatchery steelhead for the fall, 2001, season. The action came at the recommendation of Fish and Game biologists, who are expecting the largest run of steelhead since counts at dams have been done. The new… moreUpland Game Indicators Mixed
| idfg-staff
Early indications of upland bird hunting prospects look a lot like last year'sÑfair to good. Helicopter counts of chukar broods in western Idaho are conducted in the last few days of August. Observations of other game bird species are done in various ways, such as counting sage grouse on their breeding leks in the… moreNonresident Tags Available - for Residents, Too
| idfg-staff
Idaho still has nonresident deer and elk tags available for most areas of the state. More than 7,000 deer tags and 1,667 general elk tags were available as of August 21. In addition, 869 elk tags for the northern Panhandle Zone were still available. Along with hunting licenses, they can be purchased at any of 400-plus… moreLeftover Crane Permits On Sale Thursday
| idfg-staff
Sandhill crane hunting permits that were not taken in the controlled hunt drawing will go on sale Thursday. The 255 permits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis at all license vendors and Fish and Game offices. Buyers must pay the $6.50 controlled hunt fee in addition to the cost of the permit. Sales… moreAsk Fish and Game
| idfg-staff
Q. What do I need a bird stamp for? A. Fees were increased last year, at the same time that the legislation authorizing the upland game and waterfowl stamps expired. Fish and Game decided not to try to renew the stamp legislation, but instead will fund those habitat programs out of the general fee increase. Bottom… moreSalt And Bait For Hunting Elk And Deer Prohibited
| idfg-staff
With the big game archery season rapidly approaching, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game reminds hunters that the use of bait, including salt, to attract deer or elk for the purposes of hunting is prohibited. "Idaho deer and elk hunters need to be aware that hunting over salt or bait is illegal," said Mark Sands… moreSmaller Sockeye Run Seen in Stanley Basin
| idfg-staff
As expected, this year's run of endangered sockeye salmon is far smaller than last year's. Fish and Game fisheries biologists count 13 adult sockeye have made it all the way back into the Stanley Basin with three more holding below the Sawtooth weir, for a total of 16 so far. Biologists expect about 35 before the… moreAsk Fish and Game
| idfg-staff
Q. Are residents going to be able to buy nonresident tags this year? A. Yes, unsold nonresident deer and elk tags will be made available to residents beginning September 1. They will be sold at nonresident prices.Steelhead Run Over Bonneville Tops Records
| idfg-staff
The largest steelhead run in the history of dam counts is crossing Bonneville Dam on its way up the Columbia River. As of August 19, the count of steelhead at Bonneville topped 390,000. Most of these steelhead are of hatchery origin, however, not the wild runs that came upriver before Bonneville Dam was built in 1938… more