Press Releases and Articles
Fish and Game to provide a community presentation on ornamental yew identification in Ketchum
| idfg-tthompson
Over the past several years, wildlife throughout the Wood River Valley has died after eating Japanese yew, a banned, ornamental plant often found in landscaping around homes and businesses across Idaho. Over the last two years, over 20 elk and two moose have died after eating yew.
Even with a 2016 Blaine… more
Upcoming trapper and wolf trapper education courses
| idfg-jbruns
Attention trappers: New Idaho trappers, as well as anyone who did not purchase an Idaho trapping license prior to July 1, 2011, must attend and pass a trapper education class in order to purchase an Idaho trapping license. All wolf trappers, regardless of prior trapping experience, must also attend an Idaho… more
Researchers confirm walleye caught in 2022 was not born in Lake Cascade
| idfg-jmessner
A research team concluded the walleye caught in Lake Cascade in May 2022 was not born in the reservoir and was illegally put there roughly 2 years before it was caught. Biologists compared the walleye’s chemical signatures with three perch that lived their entire lives in Lake Cascade to characterize the chemical… more
Multiple white-tailed deer shot and left to waste near Potlatch
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking information regarding multiple white-tailed deer that were shot and left to waste south of Potlatch.
At least eight deer were shot and left to waste on the evening of Feb. 12 or early morning of Feb. 13 between Flannigan Creek Road and Morris Road. It is believed the same… more
Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee Meeting - February 21, 2023
| idfg-jjackson
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023- 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Address: Idaho Fish and Game Southeast Region Office, 1345 Barton Road, Pocatello, ID
Call-in Number:… more
F&G Southeast Region schedules big game measuring day
| idfg-jjackson
It’s time again to see how your latest trophy animal measures up! Idaho Fish and Game is hosting its annual Big Game Measuring Day on Wednesday, March 8 at the Southeast Regional Office located at 1345 Barton Road in Pocatello. Measuring for Boone & Crockett (rifle/pistol), Pope & Young (archery) and… more
Questionnaires for spring/summer Chinook salmon seasons are available for public input through Feb. 25
| idfg-cliess
Fish and Game is scoping angler input for upcoming spring and summer Chinook fisheries. In-person meetings are being held the weeks of Feb 13 and 20. Additionally, Fish and Game are gathering online public input from Feb. 21 to Feb. 26, for those who are unable to attend in-person meetings.
The easiest way… more
State of Deer and Elk: Learn how season setting is done and how hunter input is used
| idfg-cliess
Every hunter knows there’s a lot of work and preparation, both physical and mental, that goes into a big game hunt. Long before the prehunt work begins, the 2023-24 season-setting process is underway, a valuable time for hunters and Fish and Game wildlife managers to shape the upcoming big game seasons. … more
Winter feeding update for Idaho Fish and Game Southeast Region
| idfg-jjackson
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game with input from the Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee (WFAC) initiated winter-feeding actions on the east and west sides of Bear Lake on Feb. 3. Since then, several new feed sites for deer and elk have been added in the region.
Idaho Fish and Game will… more
Mountain lion sightings continue in McCall
| idfg-bpearson
Night-time trail camera photos indicate one or possibly two mountain lions are still using neighborhoods near the river corridor in McCall. Fish and Game has also investigated and removed several dead deer in neighborhoods near the river, some of which have been killed by mountain lions.
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for February 2023 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-tthompson
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 6,800 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in February. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate.
Don’t forget to purchase your 2023 fishing license!
Stocking rainbow trout during the winter months… more
Kids win big at Hyde Pond Kids Ice Fishing Derby
| idfg-mdemick
Over 90 young anglers came out for the 30th Annual Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby held Feb. 4th at Hyde Pond near Salmon. The kids had a fun-filled morning learning about fishing and spending time in beautiful winter weather with family and friends. Anglers traveled from far and wide throughout Lemhi County,… more
F&G will reduce deer herds in Slate Creek to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease
| idfg-rphillips
Fish and Game will start a project on Feb. 13 to reduce deer density in the Slate Creek area in Unit 14 north of Riggins and east of U.S. 95 in an effort to minimize the spread of chronic wasting disease into adjacent areas.
CWD is a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and… more
Public can comment on big game season proposals and attend open houses
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game will be setting new big game seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, wolf and mountain lion in March, and hunters can comment on season proposals until Feb. 22.
Hunters can easily check out the proposals on the big game season setting webpage at idfg.idaho.gov/comment.
Big… more
Fish and Game needs more volunteer Hunter Education instructors to teach the next generation of Idaho hunters
| idfg-tthompson
Idaho Fish and Game’s Hunter Education Program is looking for new volunteer instructors to help ensure that the newest generation of hunters has a thorough understanding of safety, ethics and conservation.
Those who are interested can learn more about the program and how they can become an instructor… more
Rash of elk entanglements continue throughout the Wood River Valley
| idfg-tthompson
Over the last week Fish and Game has received four reports of elk in the Wood River Valley becoming entangled in items found in residents’ yards, especially garden equipment. Since February 1, elk have become entangled in wire tomato cages, a 5-gallon plastic bucket and a sled and rope. Locations vary from Bellevue,… more
Fish and Game Commission names Jim Fredericks as new director of Idaho Fish and Game
| idfg-rphillips
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has extended an offer to Jim Fredericks to serve as the new director of Idaho Fish and Game. Fredericks has been a deputy director for Fish and Game since 2021 and is a former fisheries bureau chief.
Fredericks, 58, was raised in Moscow since grade school, graduated from… more
Bobcat checks will be offered prior to big game public meeting Feb. 22 in Orofino
| idfg-jbruns
A bobcat check-in will be held Wed., Feb. 22 from 3:30-5 p.m. at the Clearwater Hatchery, Hatchery Roe Dr. in Orofino, ID. Each trapper will be charged a $1.75 administration fee and $3 per pelt.
Anyone interested in learning more about upcoming big game season proposals are welcome to attend one of… more