Press Releases and Articles
Bighorn Working Group to Meet Again in January
| idfg-lfrench
On October 12, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter asked the Idaho Department of Agriculture and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to assemble a working group to develop a statewide policy addressing issues of domestic sheep and bighorn sheep in Idaho. To start discussions, the two agencies invited the following list of… moreNo Penalty for Filing Harvest Reports Early
| idfg-mcoleman
Why wait? File mandatory harvest reports now, save yourself some hassle and save Fish and Game expenses by filing early. All deer, elk and antelope hunters must complete and submit a report for each tag issued within 10 days of harvest or within 10 days of the close of the season for which their tag was valid. The… moreThe Gift That Keeps on Giving
| idfg-mcoleman
Want to find your outdoor enthusiast a gift that's always in style, never the wrong size or color, and useable every day of the year? Go to any Idaho Department of Fish and Game regional office around the state and buy them a gift certificate for a 2008 hunting and fishing license. They make good stocking stuffers… moreNew Year Means New Rules For Ririe Reservoir
| idfg-nnokkentved
Ever since 1995, the winter fishery at Ririe Reservoir has been restricted to fishing through the ice only, but all that is about to change thanks to rules that take effect on January 1, 2008. Often, anglers complain that Idaho Fish and Game never listens to them, but the recent streak of nearly iceless winters… moreAsk Fish and Game: Ice Fishing
| idfg-mcoleman
Q. Is there enough ice for ice fishing yet anywhere? A. Yes. Many reservoirs are now ice-covered. Some have enough for ice fishing. Though all reservoirs but one in the Southeast Region have ice, they may not all be safe yet for ice fishing. Ice also is expected to be thick enough soon for ice fishing on Cascade… moreAsk the Conservation Officer (CO)
| idfg-staff
by Gary Hompland, Regional Conservation Officer Question: "I heard a couple of guys talking about pheasant hunting and observed some hen pheasants they had taken. Isn't it unlawful to kill hens?" Answer: Generally you are correct, hen pheasants are protected. To hunt and kill wild hen pheasants would be a… moreChlorine Leak Kills Fish in Grace Hatchery
| idfg-nnokkentved
About 200,000 young rainbow trout were killed Tuesday afternoon, December 11, at the Idaho Fish and Game hatchery in Grace when a chlorine pipe began to leak. Hatchery manager Phil Coonts was disinfecting vats during routine cleanup, when a standpipe began leaking chlorine. The chlorine flowed into the large raceways… moreFish and Game Seeks Comments on Mule Deer Plan
| idfg-nnokkentved
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is soliciting public comment on the draft Idaho Mule Deer Management Plan. Fish and Game biologists will be available at the Pocatello office to answer questions and take comments on the plan from noon to 7 p.m. on December 18. Public comments will be incorporated into a final… moreAsk the Conservation Officer (CO)
| idfg-staff
by Gary Hompland, Regional Conservation Officer Question: "My son is going to college in another state and will be home for the holidays. I would like to purchase his hunting license for a Christmas gift. Is he a resident or nonresident?" Answer: Your son's residency status may be either resident or nonresident… moreCounting Big Game
| idfg-mcoleman
By Jon Rachael, Idaho Department of Fish and Game Wildlife biologists from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will soon take to the skies to assess the size and health of big game herds in a number of areas across southern Idaho. We try to estimate deer and elk numbers in most zones about every three to four… moreRestoring Life to Squaw Butte
| idfg-mcoleman
By Mary Dudley, Idaho Department of Fish and Game The 2006 fire season didn't make headlines like this year's, but it was no less significant in its impact. In August 2006 alone, more than 60 square miles of wildlife habitat, on and around Squaw Butte north of Emmett, went up in smoke as a result of lightning… moreCraig Mountain Gates Remain Closed Until More Snow
| idfg-mcoleman
With the lack of snow on the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area south of Lewiston, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game reminds winter recreationists that several access gates will remain closed until more snow accumulates. The area opens annually to snowmobiles November 26. This date was selected in cooperation… moreWolf Report: Escaped Wolf Killed
| idfg-mcoleman
In early December an 80-pound escaped captive wolf was killed in remote southwestern Idaho, ending a week long search for the animal that killed at least one sheep and injured two others. The captive wolf had bolted from its pen in Owyhee County near the Snake River on October 29. The female wolf was sighted west of… moreAsk Fish and Game: Rainbow Trout or Steelhead?
| idfg-mcoleman
Q. If the rainbow trout pictured in the Idaho Statesman is more than 20 inches long, how come it's not considered a steelhead? A. The fish in the picture may look like a steelhead, but legally it is not considered such. The rules say that rainbow trout longer than 20 inches with the adipose fin clipped, as evidenced… moreOfficials Set Hailey Meeting on Wolf Management Plan
| idfg-nnokkentved
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Blaine County commissioners and local elected officials will host a joint public meeting in Hailey to discuss and take comments on the draft Idaho Wolf Population Management Plan. The open house meeting will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, December 17, at the Hailey Community… moreFish and Game Meetings Cover Draft Mule Deer Plan
| idfg-lfrench
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will hold public meetings in December to present and gather comment on a draft mule deer management plan. The meetings will be in an open-house format. The first meeting was Monday, December 3, at the Magic Valley regional Fish and Game office in Jerome. Other meetings are… moreCommission to Reconsider Muzzleloader Rules
| idfg-nnokkentved
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game wants to know what muzzleloader hunters think about a proposed change in the rules that would allow the use of in-line weapons during muzzleloader-only seasons. In January 2007, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted new equipment rules for muzzleloader-only hunts. Nearly 4… moreComments Sought on Upland Game, Furbearers
| idfg-lfrench
Idaho Department of Fish and Game seeks public comments on proposed changes to upland game and furbearer rules. Issues include proposed recommendations to the 2008-09 and 2009-10 upland game, furbearer and falconry season rules, and the 2008 and 2009 turkey seasons. Proposed changes include: Upland Game: Start the… more