Press Releases and Articles
October’s Wildlife Express sheds some (black) light on Idaho’s scorpions
| idfg-cliess
If you thought rattlesnakes were the only antagonists of the Idaho desert, think again. The Gem State’s dry country is home to an arachnid that many folks don’t even think about: scorpions.
For some, scorpions are nightmare fuel when camping out under the stars in southern Idaho. Recall the famous Gary Larsen… more
Carcass of big game animal left to waste near Rockland
| idfg-jjackson
Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking information regarding a possible deer or elk left to waste near Rockland in Power County. The skinned and quartered remains of either a large deer or possibly a small elk were found west of Big Canyon Road next to a group of trees. No head was present to aid in the… more
Interested in winning prizes for fishing? The Lake Pend Oreille Angler Science Program might be for you!
| idfg-tjross
If you have spent much time fishing on Lake Pend Oreille, then maybe you’ve been lucky enough to catch a monster rainbow trout. If not, you’ve likely seen pictures of the truly impressive fish that reside there.
In recent years, Lake Pend Oreille has been producing more rainbow trout over 20… more
It’s mating season for some of Idaho’s large wildlife species which means males can become aggressive
| idfg-tthompson
It’s fall, which we associate with cooler temperatures and the start of hunting seasons across the state. To Idaho’s wildlife, fall is the time of year when many species of wildlife such as elk, moose, deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep and mountain goats breed or go into rut. When in rut, they begin searching for a… more
Henrys Lake sets new state record hybrid trout
| idfg-mkoenig
Hailey Thomas of Rigby hoists a 36-inch rainbow/cutthroat hybrid trout from Henrys Lake before releasing the fish and taking home a catch-and-release state record.
Congratulations to Hailey Thomas of Rigby on landing a new catch-and-release state record from Henrys Lake. Hailey hooked… more
State of Deer and Elk: Movements and migrations help define wildlife populations around the state
| idfg-rphillips
Since prehistoric times, people have known that big game animals roam throughout Idaho. Deer and elk are typically seasonal migrants that inhabit mid and upper elevations spring through fall and then move onto winter range to escape deep snow and bitter cold.
But learning exactly where and when animals… more
Big Game hunters – know the rules for motorized travel in some big game hunting units
| idfg-tthompson
With increasing use of motorized vehicles such as side-by-sides and ATVs by big game hunters, everyone, especially those using motorized vehicles need to be aware of the motorized hunting rule. The rule applies when someone is actively hunting big game using a motorized vehicle. The rule is in effect from August 30… more
Waterfowl season opens Oct. 19 for most of Southwest Idaho
| idfg-bpearson
Duck hunters in Southwest Idaho are reminded that the 2022-2023 waterfowl season opens Wednesday, Oct. 19, excluding Valley County, where the season has been open since Oct. 1.
While some hunters may still be accustomed to the waterfowl season opener falling on a weekend, this is the second consecutive year in… more
Idaho's WMAs provide a bounty of waterfowl hunting opportunities
| idfg-bpearson
The Snake River has received much acclaim as the go-to public land duck hunting destination in Idaho, but it’s certainly not the only place where hunters have an accessible place to hunt waterfowl. About two-thirds of Fish and Game's Wildlife Management Areas are managed with waterfowl in mind, providing food… more
Oct. 11 Upper Salmon River Weekly Steelhead Fishing Report
| idfg-bbeller
Idaho Fish and Game personnel began interviewing steelhead anglers on the upper Salmon River on Saturday, October 1. During the first weekend, angler effort was low, and no anglers reported catching a steelhead. Angler effort increased the following week with most anglers located downstream of North Fork in location… more
Pheasant season will be opening soon in the Magic Valley – here’s what you need to know
| idfg-tthompson
The pheasant season opener has long been a family tradition for many in the Magic Valley. While the opener may not have its past luster due to significant habitat loss resulting in a steep decline in wild bird numbers, there continues to be opportunities for bird hunters to take to the fields.
In the Magic… more
Fish and Game’s MK Nature Center welcomes its newest addition, a 7-foot sturgeon
| idfg-cliess
Everyone knows the excitement that comes along when a Fish and Game fish truck backs up to a local pond or lake. So imagine the excitement when a long-bed truck carrying a 7-foot-long fish pulled up at Fish and Game’s MK Nature Center on Oct. 11.
The 7-foot sturgeon was recently added to MK Nature… more
Clearwater Pheasant Stocking & Access Yes!: What to Know Before You Go
| idfg-Deborah.M…
Fall is officially here, which means grab the shotgun, some blaze orange, the kids, the dog and get out there! Here in the Clearwater, Fish… more
Southeast Region Fish and Game asks deer and elk hunters to submit samples for CWD testing this fall
| idfg-jjackson
Chronic Wasting Disease or CWD was detected for the first time in Idaho in 2021 in Game Management Units 14 and 15 after more than 20 years of proactive surveillance and testing. CWD is a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. There is no cure for this fatal disease.
As a… more
Irrigators in the Salmon Region asked to contact Fish and Game before turning water off for season
| idfg-mdemick
With the irrigation season winding down and efforts to keep fish out of local ditches, irrigators who divert water from area rivers and streams are asked to call Idaho Fish and Game’s Screen Program at 756-6022 several days before shutting off their water for the season.
Irrigators are also asked to ramp… more
VIDEO: how to preserve evidence of sex and species on a big game animal
| idfg-jbruns
Failure to leave evidence of sex and species naturally attached to a big game animal, remains one of the most common violations detected at Fish and Game check stations, so in order to help hunters, Fish and Game staff have created a helpful video below that is especially important for those hunting within a CWD… more
Hunters at check stations can provide samples for chronic wasting disease testing
| idfg-scassinelli
At check stations across the state, Idaho Fish and Game staff are collecting lymph nodes from harvested deer, elk, and moose to increase monitoring efforts for chronic wasting disease, which was detected in Unit 14 last year for the first-time ever in Idaho. Hunters in Units 14 and 15 are reminded that… more
Warm weather means hunters should take extra precautions with game meat
| idfg-mdemick
Portions of Idaho remain unseasonably warm as we head into general, any-weapon big game hunts, which means hunters may be harvesting animals in warmer temperatures than they're used to. To ensure quality meat for the table, make preparations to process your big game animal.
Hunters have an ethical and legal… more