Press Releases and Articles
From field to freezer: tips for processing your big game animal
| idfg-mdemick
By Roger Phillips, Public Information Specialist You successfully shot a deer, elk or other big game animal. Now the work begins. You want to properly process the animal so you get many healthy, enjoyable meals from it. Here's the basic cheat sheet: Gut it, skin it, keep it clean and keep it cool. But you… moreWaterfowl and pheasant seasons to open in most of Idaho October 17
| idfg-mdemick
Most of Idaho will open for waterfowl hunting on Oct. 17, excluding Area 1 in southeast Idaho which opened Oct. 3. The statewide daily bag limit is seven ducks; but not more than two female mallard, three scaup, two redhead, two pintail, and two canvasback. The daily goose bag limit is four Canada geese; 10… moreHunters and anglers reminded about cold water boat safety
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With the onset of autumn and resulting cold air and water temperatures, waterfowl hunters and anglers are urged to take precautions and wear life jackets while on the water this fall. In 2014, seventy percent of all fatal boating accidents victims nationwide drowned, and of those, eighty-four percent were not wearing… moreHunters should exercise caution in burned areas
| idfg-lfrench
While fire season is winding down or over in most parts of the state, hunters still need to be vigilant of hazards associated with recently burned areas. Hunters are reminded that wildfires can still occur during fall, and they should always be careful with campfires, barbecues, motors (chainsaws, generators, ATVs),… moreAsk Fish and Game: Contacting Fish and Game outside normal business hours
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Q: What is the best way to contact a Fish and Game officer on weekends or after hours? A: Outside of regular business hours, contact the local sheriff's department, the state police, or any law enforcement authority. They will route pertinent information quickly and efficiently to officers in the field by radio… moreYearling Grizzly Bears Released
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On October 9, 2015, the Idaho Department of Fish… moreFamily Outdoor Festival Planned November 7 near Lava Hot Springs
| idfg-mdemick
Are you looking for some outdoor fun for the whole family without having to travel very far or pack all your gear? Then look no further than the Third Annual Family Outdoor Festival scheduled for Saturday, November 7, at Smith's Trout Haven in Lava Hot Springs. From 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., this special day will be… moreFish and Game Traps Sow Grizzly and Two Cubs Near Chester
| idfg-mdemick
A sow grizzly and her two yearling cubs that had been previously relocated for getting into human-related foods near Cody, Wyoming were trapped on October 8, 2015, near Chester, Idaho. The bears had been relocated by Wyoming Game and Fish to the Jedidiah Smith Wilderness in Wyoming on September 21, 2015 but… more
Chinook photos
| idfg-lfrench
Fall chinook runs are booming, but overlooked by many anglers
Stuart Rosenberger of Boise landed this fall chinook near Lewiston in September, which is the the peak of the run. Fall chinook commonly run in the 15 to 20-pound range and on average are larger than spring or summer chinook. CC BY Roger Phillips… moreSheep Hunter Survives Bear Attack
| idfg-mdemick
A Boise man is recovering from wounds suffered during a black bear attack at his camp along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in central Idaho's the Frank Church River-of-no-Return Wilderness. Stephen Vouch (29) and two companions were hunting bighorn sheep in hunt unit 27 when the attack occurred in the early… moreFall chinook runs are booming, but overlooked by many anglers
| idfg-mdemick
By Roger Phillips, Public Information Specialist, IDFG Big fish, and lots of them. What's not to like? When it comes to Idaho's fall chinook, the answer is not as simple as you might think, but the fall chinook are in Idaho in near-record numbers and anglers are catching them. "The runs have gotten progressively… moreFish and Game confirms outbreak of bluetongue disease in whitetails
| idfg-lfrench
By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist Based on continuing reports of dead deer, Fish and Game officials estimate up to 1,000 whitetails have died from an outbreak of bluetongue, a virus transmitted by gnats that is similar to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). It is difficult to get… moreAll hunters and anglers are required to stop at check stations
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Throughout the fall deer and elk seasons, Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) will be running check stations to collect data on hunter and angler success. Idaho Code requires that "all sportsmen, with or without game, must stop at Fish… moreFish and Game surveying hunters about controlled hunt drawings and auction tags
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Fish and Game is gathering opinions from hunters about possibly changing controlled hunt drawing odds and increasing the number of big game tags offered through auction. For many years, some hunters have expressed interest in changing Idaho's controlled hunt drawing system to favor those who were unsuccessful in… moreDeer hunters should expect a good fall
| idfg-mdemick
Deer hunters are gearing up for opening day of rifle season across much of Idaho, as deer numbers are up and opportunity is high. Idaho Fish and Game has a lot of reasons to be optimistic for a very good season. Four consecutive mild winters across most of Idaho are resulting in high numbers of deer than we've seen… moreCheck stations give Fish and Game a glimpse of the hunting season
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game's check stations help the department gather valuable information from hunters, and their help and cooperation is appreciated during big-game seasons. Fish and Game operates about 16 "biological" check stations throughout Idaho during fall. Department employees and volunteers typically interview 10… moreSteelhead Counts Picking Up
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The number of steelhead migrating into Idaho is increasing, as counts over Lower Granite Dam have been in the thousands for about three weeks now. During the four day period ending on Sunday, October 4, the average count at Lower Granite was over 2,700 fish per day. While fish managers expect fewer steelhead to… moreSalmon Zone Elk B Tags sold out
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Idaho resident and nonresident Salmon Zone elk B tags for game management hunt units 28, 21, 21A, and 36B are sold out for 2015. The Salmon Zone's 2,507 allotted elk B tags for 2015 were sold out for residents on September 2 and September 17 for nonresidents. Resident junior hunters under the age of 18 may purchase… more