Press Releases and Articles
F&G Commission approves 2019 sage-grouse season
| idfg-bpearson
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Aug. 22 set the 2019 sage-grouse hunting seasons and rules, which included expanded closures in Owyhee County, a restrictive two-day season in some areas in the central part of the state (see map: Zone 3), and a seven-day season in portions of Owyhee, Twin Falls, Oneida and Cassia… more
Commission approves fall Chinook fishing, reduces steelhead bag limit
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game Commission recently opened the fall Chinook salmon fishing season on the Snake, Salmon and Clearwater rivers starting Aug. 24 and reduced the fall steelhead bag limit to one fish per day and three in possession.
For full Chinook fishing rules see the Chinook Fishing Seasons and Rules. … more
Hatchery highlights for September: Notable fish stockings around the state
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game produces over 30 million fish annually at its hatcheries, and stocks them into waters throughout the state every year, providing Idahoans with fishing opportunities for a variety of species.
With so many fish stocked in so many places, it can be hard for anglers to sift through the stocking… more
Hunting skills clinic set for Sept 14 at shooting range in Lapwai
| idfg-jbruns
If you loved the Hunt and Fish Idaho Expo, you'll be sure to enjoy the hunting skills clinic at the Lewis-Clark Wildlife Club (LCWC) range, 27007 Tom Beall road on Sat, Sept 14 starting at 8:30 a.m. This event is free of charge and will be held in conjunction with LCWC 20th anniversary.… more
F&G Commission approves agreement to continue recreation access on state endowment lands
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Aug. 23 approved a memorandum of agreement with the Idaho Department of Lands to continue public access for hunting, fish, trapping and other recreation on about 2.3 million acres of state endowment lands.
Fish and Game will provide $.25 per acre annually to the Department of… more
Idaho's early small game opportunities are a great gateway for new hunters
| idfg-bpearson
Hunting small game is a great way for beginners to get started, and some of the earliest fall hunting seasons — including squirrel, snowshoe hare, cottontail, dove and forest grouse — present excellent opportunities for new hunters to develop their skills and confidence without breaking the bank. The best part? Good… more
Gavers Lagoon stocking suspended prior to lagoon rehabilitation
| idfg-tthompson
Stocking of rainbow trout has been suspended at Gavers Lagoon, located at the Hayspur Hatchery near Picabo, due to an upcoming rehabilitation project. Normally, the popular lagoon is stocked on a regular basis for anglers who like to fish in the Wood River Valley.
Handicapped accessible fishing… more
Crossing private land to access public land for big game hunting is a privilege, not a right
| idfg-tthompson
Often, big game hunts in Idaho require hunters to cross private land to reach their hunt unit that is usually on publicly-owned land. Many private landowners allow the public to cross their land, because they are often hunters themselves and support providing access to others so they can hunt on public lands and… more
Hunting season is here: see what's open in late August and September
| idfg-bpearson
Aug. 30 kicks off many archery seasons for deer and elk, general hunts for bear, mountain lion and wolves, as well as seasons for some upland game birds and animals with more seasons opening in September.
Big game animalsMany archery seasons for deer run from Aug. 30 through Sept. 30. For details by unit,… more
Use those 'emergency' items in your hunting pack for more than emergencies
| idfg-rphillips
Every year, hunters find themselves deeper into rugged country than they expected, staying longer than they planned, or they might encounter an unexpected situation. Add to that fall weather, which in Idaho means anything from 70s and sunny to rain, snow and sub freezing temperatures, and sometimes within hours… more
Warm weather means hunters should take extra precautions with game meat
| idfg-mdemick
Early season big game hunts have started and hunters are already in the field for some late-summer hunts, which means they may be harvesting animals during hot weather.
Hunters have an ethical and legal obligation to properly care for the game meat they harvest. Allowing a game animal to spoil will not only… more
2019 statewide and regional deer, elk hunting outlook
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho deer and elk hunters should see good to excellent hunting for elk and white-tailed deer, and average mule deer hunting in 2019, but that’s likely to vary by location across the state.
A difficult winter for mule deer fawns took its toll on herds for the second time in three years, which will affect… more
New Fall Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Seasons and Limits
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody, our commission met today to discuss and take action on fall Chinook Salmon and steelhead seasons and limits in Idaho. They have made some important decisions that I am sure many of you would like to know about.
Fall Chinook Salmon
Before I get right into the seasons… more
Second controlled hunt draw results now online
| idfg-bpearson
Results of the elk, deer, pronghorn, fall turkey and black bear second controlled hunt drawing have been posted through Fish and Game’s licensing system.
Hunters who already have an account can check to see if they drew controlled hunt tags and, if they drew, purchase them at https://idfg.huntfishidaho.net.… more
Want to try hunting in Idaho? Here's how to get started
| idfg-rphillips
Interested in hunting in Idaho? Don’t worry, getting started is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. Idaho’s hunting rules can seem intimidating to a beginner because they’re so comprehensive. Hunters can pursue dozens of different game animals and birds in many places and different times of year, as… more
Roadkill study to continue in the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District with grant modification
| idfg-jbrower
In December of 2017, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game began a roadkill study on US… more
F&G rounds up nearly 250 Chinook salmon below Sawtooth Hatchery
| idfg-bpearson
In most years, Idaho Fish and Game’s hatchery managers wait patiently for Chinook salmon to return to hatcheries, but this summer, they gave them a helping hand at the Sawtooth Hatchery near Stanley. In August, Fish and Game staff and volunteers held a Chinook salmon roundup in the Salmon River downstream from the… more
Winners announced for second Super Hunt drawing
| idfg-bpearson
Winners in the second Idaho Super Hunt drawing have been picked.
Of the 25,533 total entries, 7,360 were for two deer tags, 7,636 were for two elk tags, 2,755 were for two pronghorn tags, 5,115 were for one moose tag, and 2,667 entries were for one Super Hunt Combo, which includes a tag for each of the four… more