Press Releases and Articles
Campfires Prohibited at Horsethief Reservoir
| idfg-eoneale
Open fires at Fish and Game’s Horsethief Reservoir and its associated campsites will be prohibited beginning Friday, August 11 until further notice by order of the department. The prohibition aligns with Stage 1 fire restrictions set for implementation on August 11 by the Idaho Department of Lands, the Bureau of Land… more
Enter now in second controlled hunt drawing
| idfg-mdemick
Didn't draw a tag in the first round? It's not too late to apply for the second controlled hunt drawing for over 3,300 unclaimed tags.
The application period for the second drawing for deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear controlled hunt tags runs from August 5 through August 15.
A list of available… more
View Chinook salmon at the Fish and Game MK Nature Center
| idfg-mdemick
Visitors to the Fish and Game MK Nature Center now have the opportunity to see one of Idaho's most amazing animals: Chinook salmon.
Seven Chinook have joined other fish swimming in the Nature Center's stream. Fish managers and hatchery workers delivered the salmon to Boise early last week to give… more
Blacks Creek Range extending hours starting Aug. 10
| idfg-eoneale
Black's Creek Public Shooting Range (BCR) is extending its hours of operation to accommodate hunters eager to sight in their firearms for the fall hunting season.
Beginning Thursday, August 10 through the remainder of the month, BCR will be open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Thursday through Monday. The range is… more
Learn about bear behavior and help prevent unwanted encounters
| idfg-rphillips
There's been several incidents this summer involving black bears, and it's a good opportunity to remind people about these native Idaho animals. Black bears are common, and their native range includes most of the state. Black bears are typically shy, and any encounter with humans is usually brief, … more
Two sockeye returned to Stanley Basin, the first of the 2017 run
| idfg-rphillips
Fisheries technician Eric Johnson processes a returning adult sockeye that was among the early fish that returned to Stanley Basin in 2017. CAPTION: Fisheries technician Eric Johnson processes a returning adult sockeye that was among the early fish that returned to Stanley Basin in 2017.
The… more
What's Up with the Weiser Elk Changes?!
| idfg-rberkley
During the past couple of weeks, IDFG has received a number of calls, comments and inquiries about some of the changes made to the Weiser River elk zone this year. Most callers have asked why a couple of these changes were made; we’ll try to explain that here, as well as our plans going forward.
The three… more
Hunters Need To Be Aware Of Temporary Change In INL Site Access Rules For August 21 Eclipse.
| idfg-glosinski
Hunters Need To Be Aware Of Temporary Change In INL Site Access Rules For August 21 Eclipse.
IDAHO FALLS – There will be no areas open to hunting on the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site on Monday, August… more
2017 second controlled hunt drawing list of available big game tags
| idfg-staff
Note: The application period for this drawing has ended. Any unclaimed/leftover tags will be posted when available.
Over 3300 deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear controlled hunt tags will be available for hunters in the second controlled hunt drawing.
Hunters can… more
Hunters still have chances for big game controlled hunt tags
| idfg-mdemick
Hunters who were unsuccessful in the first drawing for big game controlled hunts in June have more chances with a second controlled hunt drawing and Super Hunts.
Second draw
Over 3,300 deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear controlled hunt tags will be available for hunters in the second controlled hunt… more
Links to fire information
| idfg-mkoenig
Here are some links you might find handy to stay informed on current fire conditions that might affect your travel plans:Idaho Fish Game Fire Information Page
Incident Information Center - Comprehensive fire data for Idaho
Idaho Smoke Information - multi agency blog that… more
Despite a down year for salmon, early signs point to improvement
| idfg-staff
A 46-inch wild male salmon was captured at the weir on the East Fork Salmon River. This fish was released unharmed after the picture and swam upstream to spawn. CAPTION: A 46-inch wild male salmon was captured at the weir on the East Fork Salmon River. This fish was released unharmed after the… more
No discounts this year for nonresident tags sold as second tags
| idfg-rphillips
Due to high demand for nonresident deer and elk tags, Fish and Game commissioners on July 27 decided to keep them at full price.
In 2016, commissioners discounted nonresident elk tags sold to resident hunters as second tags during the month of August to spur sales. However, this year’s sales of nonresident… more
Fish and Game encourages people visiting for the eclipse to try Idaho's fishing
| idfg-rphillips
Many visitors will travel to Idaho to catch the solar eclipse on Aug. 21, but there’s more for them to catch in Idaho.
Idaho Fish and Game has prepared a special guide for visitors so they can go fishing during their visit. A special webpage shows a map of the path of the eclipse, and nearly 100 fishing… more
Does the eclipse affect fishing?
| idfg-mkoenig
A complete solar eclipse is a pretty rare event, so it is tough to say how it might affect the fishing. However, check out this old letter published in the journal Nature from back in 1906. The author describes his experience while fishing during an eclipse in 1905 in Devonshire, England. From the sound of it, the… more
With fire contained, Craig Mountain WMA now open
| idfg-mdemick
With the Idaho Department of Lands announcing the Craig Mountain Complex Fire 100 percent contained, Fish and Game's Craig Mountain Wildlife Management area south of Lewiston is now open to the public.
Almost two weeks ago, an isolated thunderstorm raced across northcentral Idaho,… more
California man wins bighorn sheep tag in lottery
| idfg-mdemick
John M. Taylor of Arroyo Grande, California was the lucky winner of a hunting tag from the 25th Annual Bighorn Sheep tag lottery drawing July 26 at Idaho Fish and Game Headquarters. The tag is offered under a partnership between Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) and Idaho Fish and Game.
The Idaho Wild Sheep… more
Last chance for Super Hunt drawing
| idfg-mdemick
Thursday, August 10 is the last day to enter this year's Super Hunt drawing and a chance at winning the hunt of a lifetime.
Tags for two elk, two deer, two pronghorn hunts and one moose hunt will be drawn, as well as a "Super Hunt Combo" that will entitle the winner to hunt for all four species - elk, deer,… more