Press Releases and Articles
Commission Ups Outfitter Allocation of Tags
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The Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved an increase in the number of controlled hunt permits set aside for outfitters. The commissioners at their January meeting in Boise bumped up the outfitter allocation of controlled hunt permits to six percent as part of changes to make the process more flexible. Outfitter… moreHabitat-Niche Featured at the Flicks
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Habitat Niche: Places to Go, Things to Do, a wildlife film produced by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game with Wide Eye Productions, will be one of the featured films in this week's International Wildlife Film Festival visit to Boise. The film festival comes to town as part of Boise's annual Bald Eagle Days,… moreAsk Fish and Game
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Q. When can I apply for a spring bear hunt? Where can I get information on the hunts that are available? A. The application period for spring bear controlled hunts is January 15 through February 15. You'll find hunt descriptions and hunt numbers in the 2005 Big Game Rules Book in the Bear Season section… moreCommission Adopts Bonus Point System
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The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has decided to offer a bonus point system in controlled hunt drawings. Commissioners voted 6-1 when they met in Boise January 11-13 to adopt a bonus point system that would increase the odds of drawing a controlled hunt permit for unsuccessful applicants. Southwest Region… moreWolf Removal Proposed in Clearwater Region
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The Idaho Fish and Game Commission, in a unanimous vote, has approved a department proposal to remove up to 75 percent of the wolves in a portion of the Clearwater Region. The Commission met in Boise January 11-13, voting on the wolf issue on the last day of the meeting. Elk numbers in the Lolo elk management zone… moreForest Service Defers Decision on Helicopter Landings in Wilderness Area
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The U.S. Forest Service has put off a decision on whether to allow Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologists to land helicopters in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Fish and Game Director Steve Huffaker said he was "very disappointed in the decision" and "if they wait very long, our opportunity to… moreMarch Commission Meeting Moved Up
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The March Idaho Fish and Game Commission meeting dates have been moved to March 2-3. The March meeting, where seasons are set for big game hunts, had been scheduled March 8-10. A scheduling conflict caused the date change but shifting to an earlier date should allow the hunting rules booklet to be in hunters' hands… moreApply Now for Spring Bear and Turkey Hunts
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Hunters who aim to participate in controlled hunts for black bear and turkey this spring have less than 30 days left to apply for permits. The application period for both turkey and black bear is from January 15 through February 15. Once again, the competition for the limited number of permits is expected to be… moreLake Pend Oreille Fishery Recovery Meeting
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The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will be hosting a public meeting from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, January 21, at the Sandpoint Community Center, 204 S. First Ave., to discuss results from the deep-water trap net project, the status of the kokanee population and to gather comments on predator-prey management issues… moreGundog Workshop Planned
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People interested in learning the basics of beginning gundog training can get started with a workshop at the Morrison-Knudson Nature Center from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, February 4. The workshop will include instruction on puppy selection, close patterning, steadiness and elementary retrieving. The seminar style… moreAsk Fish and Game
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Q. Why is hunting from a horse not considered the same as hunting from a vehicle, when the hunter rides in, spots game, gets off and shoots, just like hunters using a vehicle? A. Idaho hunting regulations specify how, when and where vehicles may be used in hunting. Vehicle use is subject to federal, state and local… moreAsk the Conservation Officer (CO)
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by Gary Hompland, Regional Conservation Officer Question: "I recently overheard a conversation about the Department evaluating a local land purchase for wildlife habitat and sportsman access. An opponent to the purchase complained about removal of the land from the county property tax base when land is purchased by… moreBowhunter Education Goes Online
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Idaho Fish and Game has made a bowhunter version of its hunter education program available online. The addition makes Idaho the first state in the country to offer online versions of both traditional hunter education as well as bowhunter education. California, Michigan, Indiana, South Carolina and Washington all… moreHunter Ethics Include Following
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By Craig Mickelson Wind-driven snow pelts my face as I stand next to a dead cow elk in a blizzard on a steep slope above the town of Lucille. How the elk died is a mystery, but I'm about to find out. The elk appears to have tumbled down the mountain but also had blood coming out of its mouth and nose,… moreNorton, Kempthorne Ink Wolf Pact
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Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne and U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton signed an agreement Thursday that changes who manages reintroduced wolves in Idaho, but not substantially how they are managed. "Wolves have thrived in Idaho far above expectations," Norton said. "We've reached the point biologically where… moreSign-Up Form for Access Yes! Available Online
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Interested landowners now may find sign-up forms online to participate in Idaho's Access Yes!, a voluntary incentive program that compensates participating landowners who provide sportsmen access to or through their land. The forms must be downloaded and mailed to Idaho Fish and Game. The program, which lets… moreGrizzly Meetings Planned
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans open house meetings in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming to provide information about a proposal to remove Yellowstone area grizzly bears from the list of threatened and endangered wildlife. The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing the establishment of a distinct population segment of… moreWebsite Correction
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Some recent Idaho Fish and Game publications may include incorrect website addresses for superhunt applications and credit card payment. The correct address for the application forms is: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/licenses/apps/, and the correct address to pre-pay by credit card is: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/… more