Upland Bird Hunting Press Releases and Blogs

Sage-grouse hunters will have to buy tags for the 2021 season, which go on sale Aug. 1

Monday, July 19, 2021 - 2:32 PM MDT

Sage grouse hunters will have to buy tags designated for specific areas for the 2021 season, and a total 1,950 tags will be available on a first-come, first served basis starting Aug. 1. Hunters must choose a single zone to hunt in, but the hunting season will extended by more than a month in some zones. Each hunter can buy up to two tags depending on the zone, but eight zones are limited to one tag per hunter. 

F&G Commission adds two new areas for pheasant stocking, delays opener for nonresident pheasant hunters

Friday, July 16, 2021 - 3:10 PM MDT

The addition means there are will be 24 pheasant stocking sites located throughout the state when the season opens in the fall, and F&G plans to release about 37,000 pheasants for hunters in 2021. 

Sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse hunters are required to have new permits and tags for 2021

Wednesday, June 2, 2021 - 2:25 PM MDT

Grouse hunters in Idaho need to be aware of changes to sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse requirements for the 2021 that require the purchase of a new tag for sage-grouse hunting and a separate permit just for sharptail hunters.

Upland Game Bird Permit: do you need one to turkey hunt this spring? Do you need one to hunt upland birds next fall?

Monday, February 1, 2021 - 11:54 AM MST

With spring turkey season less than three months away and the controlled hunt application period for spring turkey beginning on Feb. 1, turkey hunters have already been asking if they are required to purchase an Upland Game Bird Permit (formerly known as the “WMA Permit”).  Read this article to find out!

Upland bird hunting opportunities stretch through the end of January

Monday, December 21, 2020 - 1:54 PM MST

Chukar, gray partridge and quail hunting can be great in the early winter, and here are some things to consider for winter hunts.

Upland game bird permits required to hunt pheasants at release locations through Dec 31

Monday, December 14, 2020 - 1:22 PM MST

Although December 18 marks the last day of the scheduled pheasant releases throughout the Clearwater region , the upland game bird permit is still required to hunt pheasants at all four stocked Clearwater region locations through the end of the pheasant season. Most of the seasons in the Clearwater go through December 31st. 

New hunters can get hunter education certification online or attend courses in September

Wednesday, October 28, 2020 - 2:53 PM MDT

New hunters interested in getting their Hunter Education certification can do so in person through courses held throughout the state in September and early October, or complete the online course and get certified without having to attend a field day. 

Check out these F&G resources for a refresher on field dressing big game, upland birds

Friday, October 16, 2020 - 12:52 PM MDT

Field dressing can sometimes seem like the most challenging part of the hunt, especially among those who have never hunted before. To make it less intimidating, Fish and Game provides a number of resources for hunters who need a refresher on field dressing wild game, including how-to videos for big game animals and upland game birds, as well as a virtual reality elk field dressing tutorial for people with an Oculus Rift VR headset.

Pheasant season opens Oct. 10 or Oct. 17 depending on the area, and stocking will be expanded in 2020

Thursday, October 1, 2020 - 1:36 PM MDT

Hunters will get more opportunities to hunt released pheasants in 2020 thanks to an increase in pheasant stocking locations from nine to 22 and includes them in each region of the state.

 

 

Youth pheasant season runs Oct. 3-9, new stocking areas added this year

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 - 2:57 PM MDT

Fish and Game in 2020 will increase the number of locations where pheasants are released, and most areas will be stocked for the youth hunting season. 

 

2020-21 Upland Forecast: Here's what hunting looks like across the state

Friday, September 11, 2020 - 4:06 PM MDT

Fish and Game's wildlife biologists in each region have compiled an update of what they're seeing and hearing on the ground with upland bird populations, so hunters can get a look at their favorite areas and  quarry.

Bird hunters encouraged to donate their wings

Friday, September 11, 2020 - 1:22 PM MDT

More upland bird seasons open in mid-September

Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 11:10 AM MDT

Chukar, gray partridge, quail and sage-grouse seasons open on Sept. 19. Here’s a brief summary of the upcoming seasons.

A 2020 upland game bird permit is required to hunt pheasants at Clearwater region release sites this fall

Wednesday, September 2, 2020 - 4:40 PM MDT

Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) will release pheasants over 1,300 pheasants this fall at four Clearwater region locations. In addition to a hunting license, an upland game bird permit is required to hunt stocked pheasants at these locations. The permit will be valid for six birds—multiple permits may be purchased during the season--. The daily bag limit is two birds at release locations. Idaho Fish and Game uses an online sign-in process to manage hunter numbers at each of these properties to ensure opportunities are available to all hunters.

 

Traps, snares and pets can be a bad combination, and here's how to avoid a problem

Wednesday, September 2, 2020 - 1:59 PM MDT

With some wolf trapping seasons in Idaho opening on Sept. 10, and many more trapping seasons opening in October, upland game bird hunters and other people recreating with off-leash pets are reminded to avoid traps and be prepared to act quickly in the event their hunting or hiking companion becomes trapped.

F&G Commission expands access to pheasant hunting with new stocking locations

Monday, August 31, 2020 - 4:00 PM MDT

Pheasant hunters will have more birds and more places to hunt them in 2020, thanks to the Fish and Game Commission expanding the department’s pheasant stocking  and more than doubling the number of locations to 22 areas around the state. 

Hunter how-to video: Field dressing game birds

Monday, August 31, 2020 - 1:28 PM MDT

Fish and Game staff members and hunters Ian Malepeai and Emily Palmer demonstrate three easy methods for field dressing and processing game birds.

Idaho's early small game opportunities are a great gateway for new hunters

Friday, August 28, 2020 - 11:44 AM MDT

Hunting small game is a great way for beginners to get started, and some of the earliest fall hunting seasons — including squirrel, snowshoe hare, cottontail, dove and forest grouse — present excellent opportunities for new hunters to develop their skills and confidence without breaking the bank.

A wealth of hunting opportunities kick off Aug. 30 and Sept. 1

Thursday, August 27, 2020 - 11:38 AM MDT

Some small game hunting seasons will open in Idaho on Aug 30 and Sept. 1, with opportunities including upland birds, upland game, and doves. Many general archery seasons for deer and elk also open on Aug. 30. There is a wealth of opportunity that this time of year provides for Idaho’s hunters.

F&G commission approves 2020 sage-grouse seasons

Thursday, August 20, 2020 - 4:12 PM MDT

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Aug. 20 set the 2020 sage-grouse hunting seasons and rules.