Wildlife Conservation and Management

Fish and Game has begun to get increasing reports of black bears looking for and finding food in residential neighborhoods. The key to keeping Idaho bears wild is to not allow them to access human food around neighborhoods, homes or your campsite.

Over the past several weeks a reported large mountain lion has been seen within residential neighborhoods in Hailey. The reports received by the Fish and Game, Magic Valley Regional Office all provide similar observations about the size of the lion.

Idaho Fish and Game is seeking comments on its Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Management Plan 2022. The draft plan is open to public comment through May 13. This plan will provide guidance for staff to implement management actions that will aid in the management and conservation of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout.

Every winter, Fish and Game wildlife biologists across Idaho spend a considerable amount of time capturing and collaring deer, elk and pronghorn that have congregated on winter range. 

The Badger Fire in 2020 burned thousands of acres of critical big game winter range and sage grouse habitat in the front country and mountains south of Twin Falls.

Fish and Game biologists are monitoring 222 mule deer fawns and 201 elk calves that were captured in early winter and fitted with tracking collars.

In an effort to supplement the dwindling population of wild turkeys in the Big Cottonwood area of Game Management Unit 54 northeast of Oakley, 36 turkeys were captured and relocated to the area in early February. The turkeys, which included toms, jakes and hens were captured near Pocatello by volunteers with the Southeast Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.