Press Releases and Articles
Reports of mountain lions on the increase in Wood River Valley communities
| idfg-tthompson
Fish and Game staff from the Magic Valley Region continue to receive frequent mountain lion reports from throughout the Wood River Valley. Mountain lions are killing deer and caching their prey in Ketchum and Hailey neighborhoods, and residents are seeing lions on security cameras and reporting tracks around their… more
State of Deer and Elk: Understanding survival and causes of mortality helps F&G manage deer and elk herds
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game biologists have spent decades counting and monitoring deer and elk populations including when, where, and how animals die. It’s a critical part of understanding all facets of wildlife management, and a common question is often, “what kills the most deer and elk?”
The short answer is hunters… more
F&G Commission begins hiring process for new department director
| idfg-cliess
The Fish and Game Commission has opened the application period for the position of Fish and Game director. The application period runs from Dec. 15 to Jan. 5.
The Fish and Game director reports to the seven-member Commission and is responsible for administering laws and rules and controlling the Department's… more
Fish and Game begins to feed elk at the Bullwacker feed site west of Ketchum
| idfg-tthompson
Idaho Fish and Game staff from the Magic Valley Region will begin feeding elk at the Bullwacker feed site in mid-December 2022 as deep snow begins to accumulate throughout the Wood River Valley. Over 125 elk are fed in a typical winter. It is anticipated that feeding will continue until April 2023.
Residents… more
Low-level flights to occur across the Magic Valley Region to assess big game populations
| idfg-tthompson
Wildlife biologists from the Magic Valley Region will be conducting low level helicopter flights across southern Idaho over the next several weeks. It is anticipated that the flights will continue into late January 2023.
Biologists use winter-time flights to survey big game since wildlife is concentrated on… more
Improvements are on the way to the Farragut Shooting Range Center
| idfg-tjross
Many new opportunities are already being enjoyed by the public at the Farragut Shooting Range Center, and more are to come in the years ahead. If you've never been to the range before, here's a glimpse at what it has to offer.
If you haven’t checked out the new 3D targets along the 20-station 3D… more
Bighorn sheep capture scheduled in Hells Canyon late December
| idfg-jbruns
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife plan to capture 55 bighorn sheep in three Hells Canyon herds Dec. 19-23 as part of the ongoing Hells Canyon Initiative to restore bighorn sheep populations.
Bighorn sheep will be captured by net gunning from a helicopter and… more
Moose, mountain goat and bighorn sheep season setting open house to be held in Jerome
| idfg-tthompson
Wildlife biologists from the Magic Valley Region will be hosting a public open house on December 15, 2022, from 3 – 7:00 p.m. at the Magic Valley Regional Office to take public comments on proposed changes to moose, mountain goat and bighorn sheep seasons for the 2023 – 2024 hunting seasons.
The Magic Valley… more
Fisher, wolverine and Canada lynx 2023-2028 conservation management plan is open for public comment
| idfg-cliess
The 2023-2028 draft management plan for the conservation of fisher, wolverine and Canada lynx is now open for public comment. The deadline to comment is Jan. 3 at 8 a.m.
Fish and Game wildlife managers are presenting a new management plan for these three medium-sized carnivores whose sightings in the wild are… more
Trapper education course offered in Salmon Dec. 17
| idfg-mdemick
Fish and Game will host a trapper education course in Salmon on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fish and Game Office, 99 Highway 93 North.
The interactive course provides students with hands-on training from experienced trapping instructors. Basic trapping techniques with safety, ethical trapper… more
Lake Cascade Ice Conditions - Dec. 12, 2022
| idfg-mthomas
On Monday, December 12th we checked surface and ice conditions on Lake Cascade. Although we got off to an early start building ice in November, recent heavy snowfall has delayed ice development across much of the lake and has made for a slushy surface. Conditions may improve with forecasted cold and clear… more
Open house in Salmon set to collect comments on moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat seasons
| idfg-mdemick
Hunters can soon comment on the proposed 2023-24 hunting seasons for moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep. Idaho Fish and Game will host an open house Dec. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Salmon Regional Office, 99 Highway 93 North.
Season proposals in IDFG’s Salmon Region include a decrease in moose tags… more
Public can comment on moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat season through Dec. 29
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game will be setting new seasons for upcoming moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunts in early 2023 and gathering public input on proposals from Dec. 13-29.
Hunters can easily review the proposals at the moose, sheep, goat proposals webpage here. The comment period will run through Dec. 29… more
Clearwater Region ice fishing update (Dec. 9)
| idfg-jthiessen
Because it is so accessible, ice fishing is becoming a popular family activity throughout Idaho. Ice fishing is one of the most available and often overlooked opportunities in the Clearwater Region. There are numerous ponds, lakes and reservoirs that ice over and hold a wide range of fish species including rainbow… more
Winter aerial surveys and capture work beginning soon in the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
Winter is a busy season for wildlife staff across the state. Winter wildlife work starts now and will extend through the end of January. Elk and moose captures will begin the week of December 12th in units 8, 8A, 10A. These capture efforts are part of a larger elk and moose calf survivability study. Additional capture… more
F&G Commission conference call meeting set for Dec. 12
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will be meeting via conference call on Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. to discuss future plans for the hiring of the Fish and Game director position. Members of the public can visit a regional office and listen in to the meeting via conference call.
There will be no public comment… more
Helicopter flights to survey big game near Salmon and Challis to begin soon
| idfg-mdemick
Beginning this week, Fish and Game staff will take to the air to get a closer look at deer numbers, including several low-level helicopter surveys planned in the Salmon and Challis areas. The purpose is to gather abundance and herd composition information that helps game managers understand population numbers and… more
Ice Fishing in the Clearwater Region
| Anonymous (not verified)
Did you know, you don't have to travel for hours to find great ice fishing opportunities in the Clearwater Region? There are many great opportunities to get the family out for a daytime adventure right down the road!
Many anglers put away the rods and gear when colder weather starts descending upon us, but… more