Press Releases and Articles
Got your buck (or bull) yet? Here are some early season harvest stats
| idfg-rphillips
Here’s your way-too-early roundup of how the big game season is going. If you’re a baseball fan, this is the box score after the first inning. If you’re a fan of politics, this is election results with 10 percent of the precincts reporting.
So why bother? Because we big game hunters are curious people,… more
How to avoid common hunting violations
| idfg-snass
It happens every fall. Hunters unwittingly violate game laws because they are unaware of a rule or they don’t understand the reason for the law.
Idaho’s seasons and rules are put into place for biological or safety reasons. There are always those who will deliberately flout game laws, putting others in danger… more
Commission to meet via conference call Oct. 13
| idfg-rphillips
Comissioners will vote on proposal to open steelhead fishing to harvest and get a briefing on the status of a property donation.
Individuals with disabilities may request meeting accommodations by contacting the Director’s office at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game directly at 208-334-5159 or through the… more
Calling in an elk
| idfg-dmegargle
While out in the field working the elk hunt, Conservation Officers got a surprise visit.
Public's Help Sought in Deer Poaching Case
| Anonymous (not verified)
Fish and Game is asking the public for information regarding the recent poaching of a large mule deer buck. The poaching incident likely occurred this past weekend.
Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) is offering a reward for information in the case and callers can remain anonymous. Contact CAP at 1-800-632-5999… more
Pacific Lamprey on Display at MK Nature Center
| idfg-sfocht
Just in time for Halloween, five Pacific Lamprey arrived at the MK Nature Center from the Nez Perce Fisheries Program.
Yes, they do suck blood! But they do so only while in the ocean. These Lamprey will be overwintering at the Nature Center, and like all Lamprey, are done eating after… more
Close Encounter
| idfg-dmeyer
Although Officers Hurd and Meyer were attempting to locate archery hunters when they stumbled into this monster, a mountain view, and a crisp fall morning. It just doesn't get a whole lot better for a game warden on a work detail!
Youth pheasant hunt runs Oct. 7-13
| idfg-rphillips
Due to a recent rule change, properly licensed youth 17 years old and younger can participate in the youth pheasant hunt, which is not reflected in the 2016-17 upland game, furbearer and turkey rules brochure.
The hunt runs from Saturday, Oct. 7 through Oct. 13 and opens a half hour before sunrise, except on… more
Comments being taken for proposed hunting rules changes
| idfg-rphillips
Several proposed rules recently adopted by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission will be published on October 4 in the Idaho Administrative Bulletin. Publication of the proposed rules provides for additional public comment; public comments were previously presented to the Commission prior to rule adoption. Submitted… more
Commission approves coho season starting Oct. 7
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game commissioners set a fishing season for coho salmon, which will run Oct. 7 through Nov. 19, or until further notice.
Fishing will be allowed on the Mainstem Clearwater River, the North Fork Clearwater River downstream of Dworshak Dam, and the Middle Fork Clearwater River upstream to Clear… more
Hunters: Mule Deer needed for chronic wasting disease testing
| idfg-snass
Idaho Fish and Game needs help from hunters. New protocols have been introduced for sampling deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and hunters will play a critical role. Although the disease has not been found in Idaho, the prevalence of CWD has been expanding in some neighboring states. In response, Idaho Fish… more
2017 Proposal to open a steelhead harvest fishery in the Snake, Salmon, and Clearwater Rivers.
| idfg-pperkins
Idaho Fish and Game Commission will entertain a proposal to open a steelhead harvest fishery in the Snake, Salmon, and Clearwater River drainages.The proposal follows an increase in steelhead return numbers that have crossed Bonneville Dam in recent weeks. Fisheries staff monitors steelhead returns to the Snake… more
No antlerless harvest in Southeast Region during general, any-weapon deer season this fall
| idfg-jjackson
General deer opener is just around the corner on Oct. 10, and hunters are reminded that due in part to a difficult winter, there will be no antlerless deer hunting allowed this fall during the general any-weapon season in the following units: 66A, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 73A, 74, 75, 76, 77, and 78.
This is… more
Waterfowl forecast: Duck numbers down from last year but above long-term average
| idfg-rphillips
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's annual North American waterfowl breeding and population habitat survey showed 2017 habitat conditions were similar to, or improved, compared to 2016, with a few exceptions. In the traditional survey areas across North America, the total duck population estimate was 47.3 million… more
Poached deer remains found
| idfg-khatch
EDEN - The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is requesting information on a mule deer doe found on Monday, September 25, 2017, North of Eden, ID.
The deer was shot and left to waste. The deer was found just South of the Northside canal off Eden Rd. Evidence was collected… more
Fish & Game Commission to meet via conference call October 2
| idfg-mdemick
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet by conference call Monday, October 2 to discuss a proposal to re-open steelhead fishing to harvest with a length limit in place to protect steelhead stocks returning to Clearwater Hatchery facilities.
Steelhead returns were late this year prompting Fish and Game… more
Lost Valley Reservoir Trout Improvement Project Planned
| Anonymous (not verified)
Lost Valley Reservoir, located 16 miles north of Council Idaho, is nearly dry and Fish and Game plans to take advantage of that condition to improve trout populations at the popular fishing hole.
The Lost Valley Reservoir Company has lowered the reservoir to the lowest pool possible for outlet valve repairs… more
Hunters convicted and sentenced in conspiracy poaching case
| Anonymous (not verified)
The first four of eleven defendants named in an Adams County wildlife poaching conspiracy case have recently been found guilty or pleaded guilty to charges against them.
Tyler Dutton (23) of Caldwell was convicted by a jury of his peers in July and sentenced in August. Misdemeanor charges against Dutton… more