Press Releases and Articles
Five elk die in the Wood River Valley after eating toxic yew plants
| idfg-tthompson
Despite a 2016 Blaine County ordinance restricting the planting of noxious plants, including exotic yew, three elk, two cows and one calf, were found dead on Tuesday January 18, 2022 after eating the toxic plant north of Hailey near the Valley Club. Two additional elk were found the morning of Wednesday… more
Become an Idaho Master Naturalist!
| idfg-jjackson
The High Desert Chapter of the Idaho Master Naturalists is now recruiting new members and will hold an introductory virtual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 20 with another virtual meeting following on Thursday, Jan. 27. Both meetings start at 7 p.m. Participation in the first meeting is not required in order to join… more
F&G Commission meeting Jan. 26-27 in Boise
| idfg-cliess
The Commission will hold the public hearing and business meeting at the new Fish and Game Headquarters Office located at 600 S. Walnut St. in Boise. A public hearing will begin on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. MST in the Sawtooth Room. Those wishing to speak to the Commission during the public hearing will have a three-minute… more
Wolf trapper education class offered in Salmon
| idfg-mdemick
A wolf trapper education class will be offered in Salmon February 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Idaho Fish and Game office.
Wolf trapper education classes are in high demand and are usually taught just a few times a year in our area - so if you need a class, sign up now!
Here’s what you need to know… more
Catch a tagged fish at Hyde Pond and win a prize
| idfg-mdemick
Now’s a great time for kids to try ice fishing at Hyde Pond near Salmon.
If a youth 16 years of age or younger catches a tagged trout from Hyde Pond, they can bring the tag in to the Salmon Fish and Game office and collect a prize. Prizes include fishing gear, tackle boxes, and rod and reel combinations.… more
Two cow elk shot out of season on Salmon Road near Riggins
| idfg-jbruns
On the morning of January 9th, two cow elk were shot out of season along the Big Salmon Road near Riggins. This stretch of road receives a fair amount of morning traffic from sportsmen and public alike. Much of the meat was salvaged prior to Fish… more
Southwest Winter Feeding Advisory Committee will meet Jan. 18
| idfg-bpearson
Southwest Winter Feeding Advisory Committee Meeting
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 - 2:00 PM MST
Address: 15950 N Gate Boulevard Nampa, Idaho 83687
The Winter Feeding Advisory Committee is participating by a combination of in-person attendance… more
Twin Bridges boat ramp along the Salmon River open and ready for use
| idfg-jbruns
The Twin Bridges boat ramp is now open and ready for use. Project completion included the installation of an precast concrete extension after adding multiple loads of large rock and gravel for support and armoring of the ramp extension. By adding to the length of the ramp it makes for a safer and easier launching of… more
Win prizes by participating in the new Kootenai River Angler Science Program!
| idfg-tjross
For some, winter is a time to hibernate in the comfort of a warm home, enjoying a hot drink by the fireplace. For others, winter offers a unique opportunity to try their hand at landing the native and once rare burbot from the Kootenai River.
… more
Two more Chronic Wasting Disease cases detected in cow elk and white-tailed doe in Unit 14
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game received notice on Jan. 10 that two more animals, a cow elk and a white-tailed deer doe, have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. Both animals were in Unit 14 in Idaho County. The whitetail was about 4 miles south of Slate Creek in the same area as other CWD-positive deer, and the elk was… more
Applications for spring black bear controlled hunts runs Jan. 15 through Feb. 15
| idfg-cliess
Hunters looking to apply for 2022 spring's controlled hunts for black bear can apply from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15. Information on the spring 2022 controlled black bear hunt can be found in the Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules book.
Hunters must have a 2022 hunting license in order to apply for controlled… more
Lake Cascade ice conditions - Jan. 11, 2022
| idfg-mthomas
On Wednesday, January 11 we checked surface and ice conditions on Lake Cascade. Ice and surface conditions have improved throughout the lake since our last update, and travel is now conducive to snowmobile use in most areas. With with mild daytime highs, cold nighttime lows, and minimal snow… more
Video: Waterfowl flock to Deer Parks Wildlife Management Area
| idfg-jbrower
The skies over Deer Parks Wildlife Management Area are filled with activity this January as waterfowl fly between the grain fields planted for them by Fish and Game. Trumpeter swans, Canada geese and ducks have all shown up by the thousands to feed.
The spectacle can easily be viewed from… more
Wood River Valley elk have a rough week getting entangled and trapped around area homes
| idfg-tthompson
Over a two-day period Fish and Game officers responded to four reports of elk becoming entangled in various materials or trapped in window wells in the southern Wood River Valley.
The first report came on the morning of January 7, 2022 of a cow elk with some type of disk around its neck. Local Conservation… more
Helicopter flights to collar mule deer fawns, elk calves begin in Southwest Region
| idfg-bpearson
Beginning in mid-January, Idaho Fish and Game staff in the Southwest Region will use low-flying helicopters to capture and collar deer fawns and elk calves in units 22, 23, 31, 32, 33, 35, and 39. The activity is part of Fish and Game’s annual efforts to monitor winter survival. These flights are scheduled to wrap up… more
It’s known as a ‘Kootenai leopard’ and it tastes like lobster. Introducing, the burbot
| idfg-cliess
Riddle me this: What lives in the Kootenai River, has the body of a cod, the meat of a lobster and the soul patch of Frank Zappa? No, that’s not a trick question. There really is a species of freshwater cod that calls the Kootenai River home, but that almost came to an end just 20 years ago. Herein lies… more
F&G to begin helicopter surveys for big game animals in the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower
Beginning in mid-January, Idaho Fish and Game staff will use low-flying helicopters to count deer and elk populations in Unit 50 of the Pioneer Zone. Disturbance to the animals is kept to the minimum needed to acquire accurate information and is generally less than a few minutes. Survey flights for… more
Fish and Game seeks public input about campground improvements to Silver Creek access sites
| idfg-mpeterson
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public input about proposed improvements to the Silver Creek West and Silver Creek East access site in the Wood River Valley. The improvements would include construction of designated camp sites and other campground improvements.
The public is invited to an open house to… more