Press Releases and Articles
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
Hunters: If your tag isn't properly notched, it's invalid
| idfg-rphillips
Reminder for hunters, after you harvest your animal, you must validate your tag by completely removing the correct day and month – just like in the picture – and attaching it to the largest portion of the carcass.
Pheasant season opens Oct. 8 or Oct. 15 depending on the area
| idfg-rphillips
Pheasant season opens Oct. 8 in North Idaho and Oct. 15 in South and East Idaho. See area maps for opening dates on page 11 of the Idaho Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer seasons and rules.
Fish and Game will stock about 30,000 pheasants this year at locations in every region of the state. Hunters can see a… more
Welcome to Idaho Fish and Game’s 'State of Deer and Elk'
| idfg-rphillips
The State of Deer and Elk is an opportunity for hunters to learn how biologists gather data about these important and iconic animals and use that information to manage healthy, sustainable populations that provide excellent hunting opportunity.
Equally important, it’s a way for hunters and others… more
Chronic wasting disease: what you need to know and how you can help in the Panhandle and elsewhere in the state
| idfg-tjross
Chronic wasting disease was detected for the first time in Idaho in 2021 after more than 20 years of proactive surveillance and testing. Chronic wasting disease is a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose, and there is no cure.
With most hunting seasons already underway and… more
Successful Shotgunning workshop will be hosted at the Farragut Shooting Range Center on Oct. 22
| idfg-tjross
Get in on this while you can! Idaho Fish and Game staff along with NRA certified instructors will be teaching a Successful Shotgunning workshop on Oct. 22 at the Farragut Shooting Range Center in Athol.
The class is geared toward new or potential shotgun owners with little or no experience with shotguns or… more