Press Releases and Articles
In The Field
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Waterfowl Hunters: Know Your (Weight) Limits Hunting seasons for most species of game animals are open. Most hunters are taking wise safety precautions by wearing hunter orange in the field as they pursue their pastime. An often overlooked aspect of hunter safety is boating safety while pursuing waterfowl.. Nearly every… moreFish & Game Searching For Tundra Swan Poachers
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ROBERTS - Market Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Roberts, Idaho, has always had an abundance of wildlife. Native Americans and early settlers found such a bounty of wild game that they named the area "Market Lake." As Idaho grew, the area was placed under the management of IDFG to insure that both the needs of… moreBoise, Payette Rivers to Get More Steelhead
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The Boise River's already red-hot steelhead fishing will get another boost on November 17 when several hundred additional hatchery steelhead are stocked in the river. That same day, and for the first time this fall, the Payette River below Black Canyon Dam will be stocked with the four- to ten-pound ocean-going rainbows… moreMore Steelhead for Boise, Other Rivers
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A strong run of hatchery steelhead has allowed Fish and Game to truck more of the sea-run fish to areas where more anglers will have a chance to catch them. On November 9, about 300 more steelhead joined some 200 planted the week before in the Boise River. Hells Canyon Reservoir and the Little Salmon River each… moreClosure Lifted in Unit 28
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Meeting by conference call November 8, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted to rescind the hunting season closure in game management unit 28 near Salmon. The order is effective Thursday, November 9. The Forest Service also will lift its access closure on all but a few roads, which will be closed with locked gates… moreSuccessful Hunters Asked to Report
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Successful elk and deer hunters are now the only ones who need to send a harvest report to Fish and Game. This is a change from the last two hunting seasons when all deer and elk hunters were required to file harvest reports. Reports are to be filed within 10 days of taking an animal. No report is required of those… moreBribe Offer Fails
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A poacher's offer of half an elk did little to dissuade two hunters from turning in the culprit. The poacher, Robert Dechanne of Boise, was recently sentenced to the maximum penalty by Boise County Magistrate Patricia Young. On October 5, just 10 days before the area's elk season opener, two deer hunters in the… moreAsk Fish and Game
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Q. What license or permit do I need to fish for steelhead? I don't think my fishing rules book has the price right. A. You are correct, the prices in the book are wrong. It was printed late last year, prior to the fee increases approved by the Legislature in the spring. It was reprinted in July, and the prices in the… moreParty Hunting - Common Form of Poaching
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Poaching is defined several ways. Most of the public would agree that shooting an animal and leaving all or some of the meat to rot is poaching. However, too many people sit idly by for a more common form of poaching - party hunting. The unlawful practice of hunters shooting another hunter's game to fill tags can land… moreElk Poacher's Bribe Falls on Deaf Ears
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A poacher's offer of half an elk did little to dissuade two hunters from turning in the culprit. In turn, the poacher, Robert Dechanne of Boise was handed the maximum sentence for the offense by Boise County Magistrate Patricia Young. On October 5, ten days prior to the area's elk season opener, two deer hunters… moreDomestic Animals - Stay Home!
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The MK Nature Center offers an urban haven to many different types of wild animals. Mule deer, raccoons, mink, and great blue herons are just some of the species that find food and shelter at the site. Recently, however, some not so wild animals have been making an appearance. Turtles, cats, kittens, and even dogs… moreDon't Shoot Swans
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With flights of waterfowl from the north country due any time now, hunters are reminded to be careful about swans. If it's bigger than a snow goose, has no black wingtips like a snow goose does, it's a swan. Shooting swans is illegal in Idaho and the result can be a sizeable fine and possible loss of hunting… moreSteelhead Run up 55 Percent
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Recent angler catch rates reflect what fish biologists expected-the best steelhead numbers Idahoans have seen since 1992-93. Through the end of October, biologists counted 104,087 steelhead coming over Lower Granite Dam, the last lower Snake River dam before the run reaches the Idaho border. That is 55 percent higher… moreUnit 28 Forage Recovering
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Fish and Game has received many inquiries regarding the impacts of the Clear Creek Fire on wildlife, particularly big game animals. The Clear Creek fire was one of the nation's largest and most intense wildfires that burned over millions of acres last summer. At more than 200,000 acres, it affected a major portion of… moreAsk Fish and Game
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Q. Can I trade my deer tag for a Clearwater Region deer tag? A. No. There is no provision in state code or Fish and Game rules for exchange of deer tags after the beginning of the season. However, you can buy a nonresident deer tag for the Clearwater area for $235. Seasons run until mid-late November, or use your… moreIn The Field
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Deer season opened this week in much of the Panhandle Region. A few calls have come in from landowners, upset with hunters on cultivated private property without permission. In the interest of 'cultivating' good relationships between hunters and landowners, this is a good time for all hunters to review Idaho's trespass… moreVegetation Recovering from Fire
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Since the end of summer, Fish and Game has received many inquiries regarding the impacts of the Clear Creek Fire on wildlife, particularly big game animals. The public is not alone in their concerns. Because Unit 28 contains some critical winter range for elk, Fish and Game biologists have been touring the area to record… moreSteelhead Come to the Boise
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Get the big gear ready; steelhead will be released into the Boise River November 3. Anglers have been waiting all this fall in the hope there would be enough hatchery steelhead returning to Idaho to allow releasing some into the Boise River. Fish and Game has to wait until it is evident that hatchery needs will be met… more