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Idaho Fish and Game

Press Releases and Articles

Ask Fish and Game: Legal Shot

| idfg-mcoleman

Q. What kinds of shot are legal for waterfowl hunting? Is lead shot still legal for any kind of waterfowl? A. Lead shot is illegal for all waterfowl hunting, including ducks, mergansers, geese and coots. Hunters may not hunt waterfowl while in possession of shot other than nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and… more

Officials Work to Ensure OHV Users Follow the Rules

| idfg-nnokkentved

As the number of off-highway-vehicle users exceeds 100,000 in Idaho, the Idaho Fish and Game and the U.S. Forest Service are working to ensure they obey forest and game rules. The rules are meant to prevent habitat damage, disruption of others and reduce disturbance to wildlife. Because national forests are managed… more

Pelican Found Shot in Soda Springs

| idfg-nnokkentved

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking information about the shooting of an American white pelican in southeast Idaho. On Thursday, September 17, Nathan Stohosky, Fish and Game conservation officer stationed in Grace, responded to a call about an injured pelican seen wandering in the vicinity of Valley View… more

Saturday is Hunting and Fishing Day

| idfg-nnokkentved

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter Friday proclaimed Saturday, September 26, to be Hunting and Fishing Day in Idaho. With birdwatchers, hikers, mountain bikers, canoeists, snorkelers, backpackers, photographers and other recreationists, lots of Idahoans love wildlife and wild places. Hunters and anglers love them, too - and… more

Waterfowl Youth Hunt Coming Up

| idfg-mcoleman

Youth hunters who want an early shot at a duck or goose may participate in the youth waterfowl hunt on September 26 and 27. The youth waterfowl hunt is open to youths 15 and younger. The regular waterfowl season opens the following weekend, on October 3 in northern and eastern Idaho, and on October 10 in the… more

Mentored Novices Waterfowl Hunt Planned

| idfg-mcoleman

Idaho Fish and Game is offering a "first-time hunter" waterfowl hunt at the Hagerman Wildlife Management Area. This special hunt is open to all 2009 hunter education graduates 10 years old or older. The 22 hunters chosen by random drawing will be mentored by seasoned hunters who will provide the retriever dogs, calls… more

Illegal Hunting Keeps Officers Busy

| idfg-mcoleman

With fall hunting seasons in full swing, so are Salmon Region conservation officers. Within the past week, local officers have responded to two calls with information from local residents. Both cases resulted in the apprehension of the violators with citations issued. During the week of September 14, Conservation… more

Botulism Likely Kills Waterfowl Near American Falls

| idfg-nnokkentved

About 1,100 dead waterfowl have been recovered from the American Falls area since Thursday, September 17. Officials suspect the deaths were caused by botulism, a paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin produced by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. Samples from dead birds are being submitted to a national… more

F&G Commission Authorizes Wolf Tag Auctions

| idfg-mcoleman

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Wednesday, September 16, authorized Fish and Game to offer hunters a chance to own a piece of Idaho hunting history along with a chance to harvest a wolf. Idaho Fish and Game, through six nonprofit groups, will offer Idaho Wolf Conservation Tags from No.1 through No. 10,… more

Avoid Bear Conflicts: Store Food, Garbage Properly

| idfg-mcoleman

As hunters venture into the woods this fall, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is asking them to be mindful of their food and garbage. The same cautions apply to homeowners in bear country. The past two weeks, local Fish and Game officials have relocated several young bears that have become accustomed to living… more

Foundation Creates a ÔWin' for Wildlife

| idfg-mcoleman

The Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation has purchased 1,113 acres that will improve wildlife habitat and provide public access to open lands in Elmore County. The property, purchased from a local rancher, is dominated by sagebrush-grassland habitat, providing important low-elevation big game winter range. The property… more

Ask Fish and Game: Wolf Tags

| idfg-mcoleman

Q. Do I have to buy another wolf tag if I want to hunt wolves after January 1, 2010? A. Yes. A hunter may buy only one tag and harvest only one wolf in a calendar year. A 2009 wolf tag is not valid after December 31, 2009. If a hunter buys a 2010 tag and shoots a wolf during the January, February or March season in… more

Road Closure in the Upper Coeur d'Alene River Drainage

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Idaho Fish and Game and the U.S. Forest Service are beginning a joint project in the upper Coeur d'Alene River drainage to benefit fish populations. A culvert on Short Creek, which is at least a partial barrier to fish migrations, will be replaced with an open span bridge. Having a bridge over the creek will allow… more

Upland Game Bird Seasons Open

| idfg-lfrench

The early fall general turkey season begins Tuesday, September 15, and seasons for sage- grouse, quail and partridge begin September 19. A separate permit is required for hunting sage- and sharp-tailed grouse. Sharp-tailed season opens October 1. Turkey: September 15 through December 15. General fall hunt in game… more

Ask Fish and Game: Grouse Permits

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Q. Do I need a permit to hunt grouse? A. It depends. In addition to a valid 2009 Idaho hunting license, hunters need a permit to hunt sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse. Any person hunting sage- or sharp-tailed grouse must have in possession their license with a sage/sharp-tailed grouse permit validation, available… more

Poaching Incident Under Investigation

| idfg-mcoleman

Two Boundary County men are being investigated in the unlawful killing of two bull elk. The two elk were killed on Saturday, September 5, the day before the opening of archery season in big game unit 1. The investigation continues, and charges are pending.

Six Poachers Sentenced

| idfg-nnokkentved

Six men - four from Idaho, one from Pennsylvania and one from Arkansas - have been sentenced on elk poaching charges, following a two-year investigation. In August 2007, Idaho Fish and Game received several reports from landowners in the Pahsimeroi Valley of a group of elk hunters using illegal and unethical hunting… more

Sage-Grouse Season Opens

| idfg-lfrench

The sage-grouse hunting season in southern Idaho opens Saturday, September 19. Sage-grouse seasons: 23 day season, two-bird daily limit, and four in possession after opening day: - Southwestern Owyhee County. - Most of the Upper Snake Region and Lemhi and part of Custer counties. Seven day season, one-bird daily… more