Press Releases and Articles
From shimmer to structure: The anatomy of scales in Idaho's fish
| idfg-Jesse.Midgarden
One of the most fascinating features of many fish is their scales. These tiny, often overlooked structures play a big role in a fish’s survival, protection and movement through water. It's important to know there are three different types of scales that are present in Idaho’s fishes. They can have no scales on their… more
Volunteers plant 40 million seeds to rehabilitate burned wildlife habitat (VIDEO)
| idfg-rphillips
About 180,000 acres burned last summer during the Paddock Fire that ignited north of Emmett and charred a huge swath of important winter range for mule deer. And sadly, it wasn’t the only big fire in Southern Idaho.
When wildfires are extinguished, we thank the firefighters, mourn the loss of what burned, and… more
Idaho Fish and Game offering Wolf Trapper Certification course at 2025 Idaho Sportsman Show in Garden City
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game is holding a wolf trapper certification class during the 2025 Idaho Sportsman Show at Expo Idaho in Garden City, on Saturday, March 1, and there is still space available.
The class will be held from 1:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at the Expo Idaho Western Town Conference Room, located at… more
Bobcat check-in on Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. in Grangeville
| idfg-jbruns
Attention Trappers! A bobcat check-in will be held at Senior Citizens Center in Grangeville, 108 Grangeville Truck Rte on Tuesday, February 18th starting at 4pm. Check in will take place prior to the big game season setting public meeting, which starts at 5pm. Each trapper will be charged a $1.75… more
Portion of Sterling Wildlife Management Area will be closed for prescribed burn to improve wetlands
| idfg-jjackson
Aerial view of part of the Sterling Wildlife Management Area in southeastern Idaho managed by Idaho Fish and Game. An upcoming prescribed burn will address the buildup of decadent wetland vegetation, creating open spaces and more foraging opportunities for waterfowl and other water birds. Photo courtesy… more
F&G biologists in Southwest Idaho recently completed mule deer herd composition surveys - here's what they found
| idfg-bpearson
Each December, biologists across the state conduct mule deer surveys on key winter ranges to understand current herd composition, or proportions of bucks, does and fawns. The primary intent of these surveys is to measure fawn productivity and survival to 6 months of age, which is an important component in modeling and… more
F&G Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee to meet Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. MST in Boise and virtually
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee will hold its third meeting on Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. MST at Fish and Game's headquarters building at 600 S. Walnut Street in Boise. The meeting will be streamed live via Zoom. However, members of the public in attendance or online can observe the meeting,… more
Southwest Region rainbow trout stocking schedule - February
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game staff will be stocking more than 5,500 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations across the Southwest Region in February.
All fish stocked are rainbow trout. Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns… more
A Deep Dive Into the 'State of Deer and Elk': Learn how big game season setting is done
| idfg-cliess
Fish and Game’s wildlife managers distill down an incredible amount of scientific data during big game season setting and blend it with comments and suggestions from hunters before presenting a final proposal to the Fish and Game Commission in March.
Important dates to help plan your February
| idfg-cliess
From application periods to season closures, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during February that you should be aware of. Staying in the loop can be the difference between applying for that coveted controlled hunt tag and watching from the sidelines.
Be sure to stay up to date on all Fish and Game happenings.… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for February 2025 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-tthompson
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 6,850 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in February. The stocking date and numbers of fish are approximate.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates… more
Fish and Game to offer instructor-led hunter education classes in the Magic Valley
| idfg-tthompson
Are you or someone in your family in need of a hunter education class? Anyone born after January 1, 1975, is required to successfully pass a hunter education class before they can purchase a hunting license and hunt in Idaho.
The Magic Valley Region will be offering at least two instructor-led hunter… more
Yes, you can actually tie flies using leftover wild game materials. Here’s how
| idfg-cliess
Already, you might be thinking: Why on Earth would I want to try tying my own flies when I can go down to my local fly shop and pick up a dozen for pennies on the dollar? Hey, you’re not wrong. Afterall, pretty much any sporting goods store or mom-and-pop tackle shop are going to have more flies than a county landfill… more
Idaho Fish and Game euthanizes mountain lion which killed pet goats at Pocatello residence
| idfg-jjackson
On the morning of Feb. 4, Idaho Department of Fish and Game personnel lethally removed an adult female mountain lion from a Pocatello residential area.
A homeowner in the Johnny Creek area in south Pocatello reported that the mountain lion had killed two pet goats in proximity to his home, prompting Fish… more
Fish and Game to hold big game season setting open houses in the Magic Valley
| idfg-tthompson
Wildlife biologists from the Magic Valley Region will be hosting a series of big game seasons setting public open houses in February across the region. The purpose of these open houses is to provide information about proposed changes to big game seasons for the 2025 and 2026 hunting seasons, and to accept public… more
The State of Deer and Elk: Antlerless Management (VIDEO)
| idfg-cliess
In the twelfth episode of Fish and Game’s ‘State of Deer and Elk’ series, Fish and Game Southwest Region Wildlife Manager Ryan Walrath discusses the importance of antlerless management and the role it plays in herd productivity and achieving deer and elk management objectives.
After March 5, 3-year licenses will be ineligible for Price Lock
| idfg-cliess
During its Jan. 29 meeting (rewatch here), the Idaho Fish and Game Commission amended the Price Lock Discount Order.
After March 5, customers will no longer be able to opt into Idaho Fish and Game's Price Lock program by purchasing a 3-year license or by purchasing a lifetime certificate. There will be no change… more
The State of Deer and Elk: Trophy Management (VIDEO)
| idfg-cliess
In the eleventh episode of Fish and Game’s ‘State of Deer and Elk’ series, Fish and Game Regional Wildlife Biologist Eric Freeman discusses the different aspects of deer management, including more opportunity vs. more mature bucks.