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

Hunt safe: Survival tips for big game hunters

Wed, 10/02/2019 - 15:28 | idfg-rphillips

Every hunting season, hunters get lost in the woods, and while most escape no worse than tired, chilled and hungry, the hazards of being lost in Idaho's woods shouldn't be underestimated.

Hunters can take precautions and prepare for an unexpected situations in the woods.

How to Save a Seed... And an Ecosystem

Wed, 10/02/2019 - 15:22 | KristinaBoyd

An amazing transformation is happening on the small Boundary-Smith Creek Wildlife Management Area, nestled between the Selkirk Mountains and the Kootenai River on the U.S. - Canada border. 

From flat fields of deep-seated reed canary grass, undulations in the earth have been restored, wetlands and ponds given… more

Steelhead Catch and Release Study - October 2019 Update

Tue, 10/01/2019 - 10:04 | idfg-mkoenig

Graduate student Will Lubenau from the University of Idaho has been hard at work studying Idaho steelhead since July 1, 2019. During the next few years, this study will help biologists improve our understand steelhead migrations. This study will also use tagged steelhead to estimate how many are… more

A Remarkable Fish

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 17:05 | idfg-efelts

Each year during August and September IDFG staff conduct spawning ground surveys to monitor the status of Idaho’s Chinook Salmon populations. Over the last couple weeks of August I observed the final days of a female Chinook Salmon who spawned successfully in Beaver Creek, a small tributary in the headwaters of… more

October trout stocking schedule for the Southeast Region

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 15:49 | idfg-jjackson

Something fishy is going on in southeast Idaho!  Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Southeast Region will be releasing over 150,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations during October.  This is no trick… it’s all treat!

Some notable stocking highlights include:

Motorized Watercraft Restriction on Gray's Meadow Segment of Coeur d'Alene River WMA

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 15:10 | idfg-kcampbell

Effective October 1, 2019, and until further notice, the Gray’s Meadow segment of the Coeur d’Alene River WMA is posted against public use of motorized watercraft on a year-round basis.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game responded to public requests for non-motorized hunting and other recreational opportunities… more