Press Releases and Articles
Fish and Game receives reports of aggressive coyotes and fox in the Magic Valley
| idfg-tthompson
Amid increasing reports of coyote and fox activity around Twin Falls and as well as other areas of the Magic Valley, Fish and Game reminds recreationists to take additional precautions with their pets to reduce the risk of potential conflicts with coyotes and foxes, especially during denning season.
Fish and… more
River otter trapping season closed in the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
The river otter harvest quota for Idaho’s Clearwater Region was reached on March 13 . The otter trapping season for the entire region closes 72 hours after the harvest quota has been met. As a result, the otter season for the Clearwater Region closes at 11:59 p.m. on March 16, 2023.
Any otter trapped in the… more
March 19 update: F&G deer removal project in Slate Creek at 21 CWD cases so far
| idfg-jbruns
Fish and Game continues work to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease. A total of 375 deer and 8 elk have been removed from the Slate Creek drainage as of March 19. So far, of the hundreds of samples sent to the lab, 21 samples have come back positive for CWD. Wildlife staff expects to have more sample results… more
North Idaho’s Clagstone Meadows after five years of being open to the public
| idfg-tjross
Clagstone Meadows, a well-known expanse of timberland in Bonner County, has been open to the public since 2017. Although the land is privately owned by Stimson Lumber Company, several partners worked with Stimson to permanently secure the land under a conservation easement that protects 13,169 acres of lands in… more
Fish and Game wants to hear from you on 2023-24 migratory game bird season proposals in the Panhandle and elsewhere in the state
| idfg-tjross
Sportsmen input on proposed season changes helps wildlife managers understand sportsmen preferences and shapes hunting and trapping seasons.
Stonebraker parking area closed until further notice
| idfg-jmessner
Due to below freezing temps and a lot of precipitation over the past week, the Stonebraker Winter Parking area at Lake Cascade is now closed until further notice.
Slushy conditions currently exist both on and around Lake Cascade. As a result, Idaho Department of Fish and Game staff have decided to close… more
March 14: Upper Salmon River Weekly Steelhead Fishing Report
| idfg-mdemick
Steelhead angler effort along the upper Salmon River increased during the past week but remained below average for this time of year.
Application period for F&G Commission Community Challenge Grants is open until April 22
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission's Community Challenge Grant program is open for applications March 1 though April 22. Grants provide competitive funding for officially recognized nonprofit organizations to implement projects that are broadly supported by the local sporting community and enhance… more
Craig Mountain WMA video series: Forest health part II- Mastication
| idfg-jbruns
In areas without enough value for harvest operations, mastication is a process that is being used to knock down and grind up trees and limbs and open up forest canopy. Woody debris on the ground helps to provide nutrients to soil and improve overall forest health.
Upcoming hunter education classes in the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Department of Fish and Game is hosting several hunter education classes in the Clearwater Region. Some classes include bowhunter education as part of the curriculum and some include live-fire opportunities at the conclusion of class.
Deary, starts April 3 (combo hunter and bowhunter ed)
… more
Off-leash dogs harass wildlife in the Wood River Valley
| idfg-tthompson
In two separate incidents in late February off-leash dogs were found chasing deer in both Bellevue and Hailey in the Wood River Valley. In Hailey, an off-leash dog chased and killed a mule deer buck in Quigley Canyon. In Muldoon Canyon outside of Bellevue, two off-leashed dogs repeatedly chased deer in deep snow.
… more
F&G monitoring of mule deer fawn and elk calf survival through February is tracking lower than in recent years
| idfg-cliess
Statewide winter survival for mule deer fawns and elk calves fitted with tracking collars has shown to be slightly lower through the end of February.
"From an overview perspective, winter survival is tracking about average to a little below average from what we’ve seen in the past two years," said Toby… more
Winter feeding update for the Southeast Region (03/10/2023)
| idfg-jjackson
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game with input from the Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee (WFAC) has initiated winter-feeding actions at several high-priority locations in the Southeast Region since early February.
Though new high-priority sites have been added each week, Idaho Fish and Game… more
Slow down, stay alert and give wildlife a brake as you drive this winter
| idfg-jbrower
With more snow in the higher elevations, big game herds throughout the state migrate to lower elevation winter ranges and cross Idaho’s highways and roads.
Winter is already tough for deer, elk and other big game animals, and being near busy roads and highways can be deadly, so drivers are asked to… more
Public comment for 2023-24 migratory game bird season proposals now open
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking comments on proposed migratory game bird seasons for 2023-24. Fish and Game staff will present all season proposals to the Commission for review during the April 13 conference call.
South Fork Clearwater River anglers advised that camping is no longer allowed on ITD properties
| idfg-jbruns
As anglers make plans to fish the South Fork Clearwater River this year for steelhead, they should be aware of an Idaho law that prohibits camping on certain state-owned property (see Statue below). This law applies to Idaho Transportation Department property (ITD) which includes many of the pull offs along the South… more
Helping remove dead wildlife is part of living in a rural town
| idfg-bpearson
As the local deer herd has grown in McCall, so has the number of dead and injured deer in town. The McCall Fish and Game office has received over 45 calls reporting dead or injured deer this winter.
Mountain lions likely spending winter in McCall
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game continues to receive reports of mountain lions in McCall. Mountain lions have been reported in neighborhoods near the river, such as Rio Vista and Mather Road, as well as in Spring Mountain Ranch.