Turkey Outlook Good

Tue, 03/08/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

Mild winter weather is good for wild turkey survival, and this year that should be good news for Idaho hunters. Fish and Game biologist Don Kemner says hunters should have more success filling their turkey tags this spring than they did in the spring of 2004. "This past winter was mild, so we expect turkey hunting… more

Setting Big Game Seasons

Tue, 03/08/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

By Kelton Hatch, Magic Valley Regional Conservation Educator Setting the seasons for deer, elk and antelope is a complicated job that takes several months, but it also takes several years of data in order to come up with the final plan each season. In the early 50s, Fish and Game biologists began collecting… more

Ask Fish and Game

Tue, 03/08/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

Q. I received a postcard in the mail saying that my name was drawn for a controlled hunt for turkey. When can I pick up my tag? A. Now. Tags for spring turkey and spring bear became available on Sunday, March 6.

Hagerman opener fruitful for fishermen

Tue, 03/08/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

JEROME - Anglers fishing the Hagerman Wildlife Management Area opening day had a hard time keeping the rainbow trout and sturgeon off their hooks. "It was a pretty amazing day of fishing," said Rob Ryan, Magic Valley Fish and Game Regional Fisheries Biologist. "We interviewed 131 anglers, which caught 902 rainbow… more

Access Yes! bids glean 143,473 acres

Tue, 03/08/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

JEROME - Landowners in the Magic Valley Region submitted bids on 143,473 acres of land in hopes it will be included in the Access Yes! program this year. "We had 32 different parcels of land offered this year," said Steve Elam, Magic Valley Fish and Game Landowner/Sportsmen Coordinator. "The Sportsmen's Advisory… more

Southwest Idaho Otter Season Closes

Fri, 03/04/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

By order of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the river otter trapping season in Idaho's southwest region is closed effective today, March 4, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. MST. The harvest quota of 30 otters has been reached. Trappers have 48 hours following the closure to bring their otters into any Fish and Game office for… more

AmeriCorps Working With IDFG To Benefit Idaho Mule Deer

Thu, 03/03/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

IDAHO FALLS - AmeriCorps, the federally-funded program that has been likened to a "domestic Peace Corps" has placed staffer Jimmy Hobbs in Idaho Falls to help IDFG get the volunteer component its Mule Deer Initiative (MDI) up and running. Since AmeriCorps was started in 1994, more than a quarter-million people have… more

Idaho Fish and Game offer hunter education classes

Thu, 03/03/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

JEROME - The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has openings in several of the spring Hunter and Bow Hunter education classes in Rupert, Burley, Gooding, Twin Falls, and the Wood River Valley. Registration for the classes requires an address, phone number, date of birth, and social security number for each student.… more

Fishing opener draws crowd

Thu, 03/03/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

HAGERMAN - About 300 people lined the banks of ponds and streams of the Hagerman Wildlife Management area Tuesday morning. Anglers arrived as early as midnight to kick off the fishing season. Fishermen armed with propane heaters, fishing poles, hot coffee, and snacks, descended on one of the most popular fishing… more

It's Time For Teachers To Get Wild!

Mon, 02/28/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

IDAHO FALLS - When most people think about the Idaho Department of Fish… more

Bid on the

Mon, 02/28/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

If fishing, river floating, backpacking and bird watching are on your "to do" list this year, you will want to tune into the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation's 15th Annual Radio Auction on March 8. This event, co-sponsored by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), is the foundation's largest fundraiser,… more

Drought May Cause Fish Shuffle

Mon, 02/28/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

If you are already planning your spring and summer fishing trips make sure you consider how lack of water may affect your favorite spot. As Idaho enters a sixth year of drought, Fish and Game hatchery managers are looking at ways to provide the most opportunity to anglers without wasting any hatchery- raised fish.… more

Fish & Game Officers Put Down Injured Wolf

Mon, 02/28/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

Conservation officers in southeast Idaho found a young female wolf injured so badly they were forced to put it down. The officers were responding to reports by mountain lion hunters about signs of wolf activity in the Big Bend Ridge area northwest of Ashton. On Thursday, February 24 senior conservation officers Bruce… more

Modify Sturgeon Tackle to Save Fish ... Ask the Officer

Mon, 02/28/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

By Gary Hompland, Magic Valley Fish and Game Regional Conservation Officer Question: "At the sporting goods store I overheard a heated discussion about sturgeon fishing gear. Some use light line and stainless steel hooks while others use heavier line and cold steel hooks. What are rules and the pros and cons?"… more

Ask Fish and Game

Mon, 02/28/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

Q: I applied for controlled hunts for spring bear and spring turkey. When will I find out if my name was drawn? A: The drawing is now complete. You can find out if your name was drawn online at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/hunt/ch/results.cfm Controlled hunt winners for spring bear and turkey will also be notified… more

IDFG Conservation Officers Dispatch Injured Wolf

Fri, 02/25/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

ASHTON - Responding to reports by mountain lion hunters about signs of wolf activity in the Big Bend Ridge area northwest of Ashton, IDFG Conservation Officers tracked and dispatched an injured uncollared young adult female wolf. Using snow machines on Thursday, February 24, Senior Conservation Officers Bruce Penske,… more

Big Game Season Open Houses Slated

Fri, 02/25/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

Though months away, the 2005 hunting season is up for discussion at a series of open houses hosted by Fish and Game. Plan now to attend and provide input that will help shape this fall's hunting seasons in Idaho's Southwest region. To learn more about the meetings, contact Fish and Game's Nampa office at 465-8465 or the… more

Wildlife Reservists Play Key Role for Idaho Fish & Game

Wed, 02/23/2005 - 00:00 | idfg-staff

February in Idaho can be frigid, but unlike many retirement-aged adults who relocate to balmy Arizona, Don Kunze of Lewiston, age 68, is spending the sunny winter morning outdoors. Kunze is not playing golf, shuffleboard or bingo, he is volunteering for Idaho Fish and Game to feed wintering birds at the Lewiston Wildlife… more