Press Releases and Articles
Services Set for Biologist Killed in Crash
| idfg-staff
Michael Gratson, 48, an Idaho Department of Fish and Game senior research biologist, was killed along with helicopter pilot Mike Haygens December 29 while conducting mountain lion surveys along the Lochsa River near Lowell, Idaho. Wildlife Technician Matt Lucia survived and is doing well at St. Joseph Memorial… moreComment Sought on Trophy Species Seasons
| idfg-staff
Nonresident hunter numbers will be trimmed, California bighorn sheep permits cut dramatically, and moose hunting expanded in proposals by Fish and Game that are on the table now for public comment. The Fish and Game Commission will meet January 18-19 in Boise to set trophy species seasons for 2001 and 2002. Open house… moreHunters Can Report by Phone
| idfg-staff
Successful deer and elk hunters can either mail their harvest report cards or, for the first time, call the information in by phone. The toll-free number is 1-877-268-9365. The number will be answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The contractor providing this service has a limited number of lines, and when they… moreAsk Fish and Game
| idfg-staff
Q. I lost my hunter education card. How can I replace it? A. Look on the Fish and Game website at: http://www2.state.id.us/fishgame/hedcard.htm.Memorial Reception For IDFG Biologist
| idfg-staff
Michael Gratson, Idaho Department of Fish and Game senior research biologist, was killed along with helicopter pilot, Mike Haygens, on Thursday, December 29, while conducting mountain lion surveys along the Lochsa River near Lowell, Idaho. Wildlife Technician, Matt Lucia survived and is doing well at St. Joseph… moreOpen House Slated for Trophy Species
| idfg-staff
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) will host an open house for public comment on proposed season changes for bighorn sheep, moose and mountain goat, on Tuesday, January 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Clearwater Regional Office, 1540 Warner Avenue in Lewiston. Regulations for trophy species are completed… moreShooting Ranges Receive Funds
| idfg-staff
Some of the shooting ranges around Idaho are upgrading their facilities with funding derived from wildlife violation fines. The Fish and Game hunter education program receives the first $100,000 in fine money paid by wildlife law violators each year. Of that amount, $60,000 goes to improvements in shooting ranges with… moreCommission Supports Clearwater Elk Initiative
| idfg-staff
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has raised Fish and Game's stake in the effort to restore one of America's premier elk herds. At their December meeting, Commissioners voted to become a formal member of the Clearwater Basin Elk Habitat Initiative, and to endorse a memorandum calling for the restoration of "natural… moreSpring Chinook Runsize Estimate Shows Upswing
| idfg-staff
Editors: This is intended as background for potential stories on the coming chinook run. We will be sending news releases as warranted in the new year. This backgrounder was prepared by anadromous fisheries biologist Sharon Kiefer in the Fisheries Bureau at Fish and Game, (208)-334-3791. Early season estimates of the… moreIt's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's a biologist!
| idfg-staff
By Gregg Losinski IDAHO FALLS - Wildlife managers use many tools to help them perform their jobs. Among the more romantic, yet dangerous of these are helicopters and fixed-winged aircraft. Right now, all across the state, biologists are flying in helicopters to not only count wildlife, but in some cases herd animals… moreLaw Enforcement Tales
| idfg-staff
After shooting a bull elk on a Sunday evening recently, a Coeur d'Alene man left it in the woods without even looking for the animal. The shooter, however, did stop by the regional Fish and Game office around noon the next day to ask if anyone had reported him for shooting from the road. He was told that he needed to go… moreAsk Fish and Game
| idfg-staff
Q. When does spring steelhead season open? A. It opens January 1, but probably won't get real good until sometime later in January, and in February for the Clearwater, and in March for the Salmon River. Be sure to buy your 2001 license and steelhead permit. The fishing rules brochure tells which streams or segments… moreLake Lowell Goose Closure Remains In Effect
| idfg-staff
Hunters pursuing Canada geese around Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge are reminded that Lake Lowell and some lands adjacent to the lake are closed to goose hunting. "We've cited a number of folks for violating the closure this season," Fish and Game conservation officer Clay Cummins said. "I'm hopeful that a simple… moreSuccessful Egin-Hamer Area Closure Goes Back Into Effect Again on January 1st
| idfg-staff
IDAHO FALLS - What started out as an idea by local county commissioners to reopen a popular farm to market road three years ago has continued to be a success not just for humans, but also for wintering wildlife. The lack of human disturbance created by the closure has allowed herds of deer, elk, and moose to spend more… moreHoundsmen Help IDFG Radiocollar Mountain Lions
| idfg-staff
With winter snows blanketing most of the area, several local houndsmen are working with Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) to capture and radiocollar mountain lions in north central Idaho. As part of the ongoing Elk Recruitment Project, IDFG hopes to radiocollar approximately 20 mountain lions in Game Management… moreSorry! No Ice, No Fishing At Ririe Reservoir!
| idfg-staff
IDAHO FALLS - It's hard to have an ice fishing season without any ice, but that is exactly what's happening at Ririe Reservoir right now. December 1, marked the start of a special fishing season at Ririe Reservoir outside of Idaho Falls, the only catch is that it's an "ice fishing only" season and the lack of ice means… moreIt's a Bird! It's a Plane! No, It's a Biologist!
| idfg-staff
IDAHO FALLS - Wildlife managers use many tools to help them perform their jobs. Among the more romantic, yet dangerous of these are helicopters and fixed-winged aircraft. Right now, all across the state, biologists are flying in helicopters to not only count wildlife, but in some cases herd animals into waiting nets for… moreRegional Supervisors Named
| idfg-staff
Dave Parrish has been selected as the new Regional Supervisor for the Magic Valley Region. Dave has been with the Department since 1979, serving in hatchery, fish management, and environmental staff biologist positions around the state, with a short stint in private business management in the middle. Dave has been… more