Youth mentored waterfowl hunt a success in the Upper Snake

Wed, 10/09/2019 - 14:33 | idfg-jbrower

Fish and Game partnered with Delta Waterfowl and our local Hunter Education instructors in the Upper Snake Region to provide a mentored youth hunt during the youth season opener. Ten recent Hunter Education graduates from around the region were treated to their first waterfowl hunt.

The… more

Birders can flock to southeast Idaho to see fall migrations

Tue, 10/08/2019 - 14:06 | idfg-hturner

As a birder, there is almost nowhere I would rather be than southeastern Idaho in the fall. In the later summer, migrant birds begin their southward journeys, stopping over along the way to rest and refuel.

August brings excitement to birders, as shorebirds are among the first migrants to come… more

Magic Valley hunter ed graduates participate in mentored youth pheasant hunt

Tue, 10/08/2019 - 12:19 | idfg-tthompson

On a chilly October morning, several recent hunter education graduates from around the Magic Valley gathered to hone their hunting skills for upland birds at the Niagara Springs Wildlife Management Area. The excited youth were joined by staff and volunteers from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Mule Deer… more

Kid’s Creek Pond restroom vault replacement delayed

Mon, 10/07/2019 - 16:53 | idfg-mdemick

Due to forecasted cold weather this week, replacement of the new vault on the toilet at Kid’s Creek Pond has been delayed.

Stoddard Construction of Salmon will remove the old vault and Missoula Concrete will install the new concrete vault as soon as condition allow.

Once construction begins,… more

Oct. 7: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Mon, 10/07/2019 - 15:55 | idfg-bbeller

Steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River was light during the first week of October. Bank anglers were mainly observed downstream of North Fork in location code 15, while boat anglers were more spread out with the majority found upstream of North Fork in location code 16. Anglers did not report catching a… more

Pheasant season opens Oct. 12 in northern Idaho, Oct. 19 in balance of state

Mon, 10/07/2019 - 14:52 | idfg-bpearson

The 2019 pheasant hunting season gets underway Saturday, Oct. 12 in northern Idaho, and on Oct. 19 for the rest of the state. The season runs through November 30 in eastern Idaho and through December 31 in southern and northern Idaho.

Shooting hours start one-half hour before sunrise, and end one half hour… more

Ten tips for safe firearm handling while hunting

Mon, 10/07/2019 - 14:17 | idfg-bpearson

With many hunters heading outdoors with firearms, it is a good time to think about gun safety.

Some people have the mistaken impression that because firearms are used, hunting is a dangerous activity. While there is always the potential that a hunter will be involved in a firearm accident, statistics… more

Read about birds migrations, mountain goats and the MK Nature Center in 'Windows to Wildlife'

Mon, 10/07/2019 - 10:53 | idfg-scassinelli

Fall migration begins in August and wraps up in late November to early December, and there is no better place to be birding than in southeast Idaho. Get the scoop on fall migration and birds to watch for from Idaho Fish and Game wildlife technician, Hilary Turner.

Also, learn why mountain goats are an… more

Pheasant stocking on WMAs has started and continues into December

Mon, 10/07/2019 - 10:39 | idfg-vosborn

Hunting pheasants on Fish and Game's wildlife management areas is a popular fall tradition for upland bird hunters. To support this tradition, pen-raised pheasants are stocked on nine WMAs beginning in September and continuing into December.

The pheasant stocking program provides… more

Craig Mountain WMA Boasts Wide Variety of Upland Gamebirds

Fri, 10/04/2019 - 17:20 | idfg-jbruns

Fall presents itself in many different ways across the state of Idaho. Here in our corner of the state it presents itself in the form of chukars, grouse and quail hunting! Did you know that on Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area (CMWMA) you have the ability to hunt Ruffed Grouse and Blue Grouse at 4,000’ elevation… more

The upside-down world of bats

Fri, 10/04/2019 - 10:20 | idfg-scassinelli

Did you know Idaho has 14 different species of bats? Bats play an essential role in our environment and are one of the most endangered land mammals in the United States. Learn how you can help bats and what to do if you see one outside or around your home in our October 2019 edition of Wildlife Express.

… more

Dress for the weather and you'll be more comfortable during your hunt

Fri, 10/04/2019 - 10:09 | idfg-rphillips

Hunting takes place in all weather and conditions, so don’t overlook your hunting clothing because it may determine how long you’re able to stay outdoors, and how comfortable you are when you’re out there. It takes a little preparation and investment in the right clothing for the weather, but it will pay dividends.… more

People can comment on proposed Fish and Game rule regarding wolf trapping

Fri, 10/04/2019 - 09:16 | idfg-rphillips

People can comment on proposed Fish and Game rule changes for legal methods of take for trapping wolves. Under the proposed changes, diverters for wolf snares would no longer be required, but all wolf snares would need both a break-away device and a cable stop incorporated within the loop of the snare. Current rules… more

Salmon Region irrigators asked to contact Fish and Game before turning water off

Fri, 10/04/2019 - 07:00 | idfg-mdemick

With efforts to keep fish out of irrigation ditches, irrigators in the Salmon Region who divert water from rivers and streams are asked to call Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Anadromous Fish Screen Program at 208-756-6022 several days in advance of shutting off their ditches for the season.

Irrigators are… more

Fall into fun with the youth pheasant opener Oct 5 through Oct 11

Thu, 10/03/2019 - 14:28 | idfg-jjackson

With today’s youth spending less and less time enjoying the great outdoors, a fall pheasant hunt is a wonderful way to get kids hooked on hunting while connecting them to Idaho’s amazing wildlife resource.

The first weekend in October marks the Youth Pheasant Hunt Season opener statewide. All licensed hunters… more

Changes in fall Chinook Salmon rules

Thu, 10/03/2019 - 09:36 | idfg-jdupont

Hi everybody.  Our Director recently signed a Closure Order that will make it illegal to harvest adult fall Chinook Salmon with an adipose fin in the Snake and Salmon rivers.  This change will take effect at 12:00 am on October 5, 2019. 

The reason for this rule change is we are nearing the impacts we are… more

Conservation Officers seek assistance regarding bull elk shot and left to waste near Orofino

Wed, 10/02/2019 - 18:08 | idfg-jbruns

A local landowner reported hearing a shot off of Harmony Heights Loop Road near Orofino, ID on Tuesday, October 1 around 9 p.m. The landowner discovered a wounded bull elk in the field early the next morning. There currently is no open hunting season for elk in that area.  A county deputy came to dispatch the elk and… more

F&G announces restrictions on harvest of unclipped Chinook on the Snake and Salmon rivers

Wed, 10/02/2019 - 17:01 | idfg-rphillips

Starting Oct. 5, Idaho Fish and Game will end harvest of unclipped adult fall Chinook salmon on the Snake and Salmon rivers to protect naturally spawning populations. Anglers on those rivers can continue to harvest adult Chinook with a clipped adipose fin and clipped or unclipped "Jack" Chinook less than 24-inches… more