Pheasant season will be opening soon in the Magic Valley – here’s what you need to know

Tue, 10/11/2022 - 14:24 | idfg-tthompson

The pheasant season opener has long been a family tradition for many in the Magic Valley. While the opener may not have its past luster due to significant habitat loss resulting in a steep decline in wild bird numbers, there continues to be opportunities for bird hunters to take to the fields. 

In the Magic… more

Fish and Game’s MK Nature Center welcomes its newest addition, a 7-foot sturgeon

Tue, 10/11/2022 - 13:10 | idfg-cliess

Everyone knows the excitement that comes along when a Fish and Game fish truck backs up to a local pond or lake. So imagine the excitement when a long-bed truck carrying a 7-foot-long fish pulled up at Fish and Game’s MK Nature Center on Oct. 11.

The 7-foot sturgeon was recently added to MK Nature… more

Trespassing call in Pahsimeroi Valley leads to over 50 wildlife charges filed against five southwest Idaho men

Tue, 10/11/2022 - 09:39 | idfg-mdemick

What started as a simple phone call to Idaho Fish and Game about trespassing in the Pahsimeroi Valley during the 2021 pronghorn archery season, led to an extensive investigation with over 50 wildlife charges filed against five southwest Idaho men.

Charges were filed in six Idaho counties where the… more

Clearwater Pheasant Stocking & Access Yes!: What to Know Before You Go

Fri, 10/07/2022 - 17:47 | idfg-Deborah.M…

Fall is officially here, which means grab the shotgun, some blaze orange, the kids, the dog and get out there! Here in the Clearwater, Fish & Game wants to remind hunters of the requirements for using the region’s pheasant stocking locations.  General season for all 4 pheasant stocking locations opens on October… more

Southeast Region Fish and Game asks deer and elk hunters to submit samples for CWD testing this fall

Fri, 10/07/2022 - 12:09 | idfg-jjackson

Chronic Wasting Disease or CWD was detected for the first time in Idaho in 2021 in Game Management Units 14 and 15 after more than 20 years of proactive surveillance and testing. CWD is a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. There is no cure for this fatal disease.

As a… more

Irrigators in the Salmon Region asked to contact Fish and Game before turning water off for season

Fri, 10/07/2022 - 09:50 | idfg-mdemick

With the irrigation season winding down and efforts to keep fish out of local ditches, irrigators who divert water from area rivers and streams are asked to call Idaho Fish and Game’s Screen Program at 756-6022 several days before shutting off their water for the season.   

Irrigators are also asked to ramp… more

VIDEO: how to preserve evidence of sex and species on a big game animal

Thu, 10/06/2022 - 17:05 | idfg-jbruns

Failure to leave evidence of sex and species naturally attached to a big game animal, remains one of the most common violations detected at Fish and Game check stations, so in order to help hunters, Fish and Game staff have created a helpful video below that is especially important for those hunting within a CWD… more

Hunters at check stations can provide samples for chronic wasting disease testing

Thu, 10/06/2022 - 16:44 | idfg-scassinelli

At check stations across the state, Idaho Fish and Game staff are collecting lymph nodes from harvested deer, elk, and moose to increase monitoring efforts for chronic wasting disease, which was detected in Unit 14 last year for the first-time ever in Idaho. Hunters in Units 14 and 15 are reminded that CWD testing is… more

Warm weather means hunters should take extra precautions with game meat

Thu, 10/06/2022 - 14:55 | idfg-mdemick

Portions of Idaho remain unseasonably warm as we head into general, any-weapon big game hunts, which means hunters may be harvesting animals in warmer temperatures than they're used to. To ensure quality meat for the table, make preparations to process your big game animal. 

Hunters have an ethical and legal… more

Hunters: If your tag isn't properly notched, it's invalid

Thu, 10/06/2022 - 14:41 | idfg-rphillips

Reminder for hunters, after you harvest your animal, you must validate your tag by completely removing the correct day and month – just like in the picture – and attaching it to the largest portion of the carcass. 

Pheasant season opens Oct. 8 or Oct. 15 depending on the area

Thu, 10/06/2022 - 14:39 | idfg-rphillips

Pheasant season opens Oct. 8 in North Idaho and Oct. 15 in South and East Idaho. See area maps for opening dates on page 11 of the Idaho Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer seasons and rules. 

Fish and Game will stock about 30,000 pheasants this year at locations in every region of the state. Hunters can see a… more

Welcome to Idaho Fish and Game’s 'State of Deer and Elk'

Wed, 10/05/2022 - 16:16 | idfg-rphillips

The State of Deer and Elk is an opportunity for hunters to learn how biologists gather data about these important and iconic animals and use that information to manage healthy, sustainable populations that provide excellent hunting opportunity. 

Equally important, it’s a way for hunters and others interested in… more

Chronic wasting disease: what you need to know and how you can help in the Panhandle and elsewhere in the state

Tue, 10/04/2022 - 16:00 | idfg-tjross

Chronic wasting disease was detected for the first time in Idaho in 2021 after more than 20 years of proactive surveillance and testing. Chronic wasting disease is a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose, and there is no cure.

With most hunting seasons already underway and… more

Successful Shotgunning workshop will be hosted at the Farragut Shooting Range Center on Oct. 22

Tue, 10/04/2022 - 15:46 | idfg-tjross

Get in on this while you can! Idaho Fish and Game staff along with NRA certified instructors will be teaching a Successful Shotgunning workshop on Oct. 22 at the Farragut Shooting Range Center in Athol.

The class is geared toward new or potential shotgun owners with little or no experience with shotguns or… more

Nonresident elk tags are still available for residents to buy as second tags

Tue, 10/04/2022 - 14:22 | idfg-rphillips

Nonresident elk tags remaining can be bought by resident hunters as second tags, but still at the nonresident price. Available tags and zones are listed online at gooutdoorsidaho.com. Residents can also buy the tags at all license vendors, at Fish and Game regional offices, or by calling 1-800-554-8685. These elk tags… more

Make an impact and apply for the Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee by Oct. 21

Tue, 10/04/2022 - 11:45 | idfg-cliess

Idaho Fish and Game is seeking members of the public who want to have a big impact on shooting range decisions by volunteering to serve on a Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee, which will be responsible for providing input about public shooting range grant applications annually.

Members of the public… more

No wildlife crime is too small to report

Tue, 10/04/2022 - 08:30 | idfg-jberl

A recent survey of Idaho sportsmen and women found that nearly 80% of participants who had observed or knew about a wildlife crime opted to report the offense to a conservation officer or other law enforcement. It’s great to see that the bulk of Idaho citizens recognize the importance of assisting conservation officers… more

Fish and Game hosts mentored youth pheasant hunt for hunter education graduates

Mon, 10/03/2022 - 16:29 | idfg-tthompson

Each year, youth 17 years of age and younger that successfully complete an in-person hunter education class in the Magic Valley Region are invited to participate in a mentored youth pheasant hunt at the Niagara Springs Wildlife Management Area south of Wendell. Coincidentally, the mentored youth hunt is held on the… more