Wildlife Conservation and Management

Idaho's Wildlife Conservation and Management

Idaho Fish and Game is charged with preserving, protecting, perpetuating and managing all wildlife in the state for present and future generations. Most animals are not hunted, trapped or fished.

Wildlife Management Areas improve and maintain wildlife habitat for both game and nongame species and provide access for disabled hunters, fishermen, and wildlife watchers.

Our management plans, provide guidance and overall direction and help identify both statewide and regional population and management objectives

Programs indirectly related to hunting or fishing include wildlife diseases, the Wildlife Diversity Program, Idaho wetland habitat inventory, and information on lands and landowners.

News

Idaho Fish and Game leads restoration of the upper Blackfoot River

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 - 9:55 AM MDT

F&G and many partners improved 8 miles of the Upper Blackfoot River for fish and wildlife.

Southeast Region Blackfoot River WMA Fishing Habitat Wildlife Conservation and Management Idaho's Wildlife Management Areas Cutthroat Trout Elk Moose
Idaho Fish and Game collaborate on new trout conservation video with MeatEater

Monday, March 29, 2021 - 3:28 PM MDT

In summer of 2020, Ryan Callaghan of the popular television show MeatEater teamed up with Idaho Fish and Game to learn more about conservation strategies on the South Fork of the Snake River and answer intriguing questions, such as: “How can you help a fishery by removing fish?” and “Why does a state agency pay you to catch rainbow trout?”

Fishing Wildlife Conservation and Management
Fish and Game biologists trap grizzlies and get a spot on Meateater

Monday, March 22, 2021 - 1:12 PM MDT

Each summer, Idaho Fish and Game biologists trap grizzly bears in an effort to monitor their populations. During summer of 2020, a crew from the popular television show Meateater joined Fish and Game staff as they trapped and processed two adult grizzly bears.

Wildlife Conservation and Management Grizzly Bear
Prescribed fires planned for Market Lake WMA between March 18 and April 15

Monday, March 15, 2021 - 10:22 PM MDT

Large portions of the WMA will be closed to human entry during these intermittent burns and the public is asked to please respect all road and area closures for their own safety and the safety of the burn crews.

Upper Snake Region Market Lake WMA Wildlife Conservation and Management Engineering for Fish and Wildlife
Winter survival for mule deer fawns and elk calves tracking slightly above average

Monday, March 15, 2021 - 10:36 AM MDT

Through February, winter survival is tracking close to last year's numbers. It's good news if that trend continues, because survival of both mule deer fawns and elk calves in 2019-20 ended up above-average at the end of the monitoring period. But threats to wintering wildlife are not over for 2020-21, and a lot can change in March and April.

Wildlife Conservation and Management Big Game Hunting Elk hunting Deer Hunting Mule Deer Elk
How does my hunt unit look for deer and elk? Biologists have many ways to know the answer

Tuesday, February 16, 2021 - 12:37 PM MST

Surveying big game herds from helicopters is a commonly known method for counting animals, but biologists have other methods available that they use to monitor herds and track population trends.

Big Game Hunting Big Game Research Wildlife Conservation and Management Wildlife Research and Data Mule Deer Elk
Fish and Game biologists treat sick cow moose for a second time in Hailey

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 - 4:42 PM MST

Fish and Game officers darted the moose and applied antibiotics in an attempt to clear up the eye infection. A GPS collar was also placed on the moose so that wildlife biologists could track her location and assess if the antibiotic treatment was effective.

Magic Valley Region Wildlife Conservation and Management Wildlife Health Enforcement Moose