Press Releases and Articles
Ask the Conservation Officer (CO)
| idfg-staff
by Gary Hompland, Regional Conservation Officer Question: I harvested a deer during the archery season and observed a lot of ticks on the animal. Do these ticks harm the animal or affect the meat? Answer: While deer do have ticks, it is more likely that what you observed are called deer-keds. Deer-keds are… moreJoint OHV Patrols Focus on Travel Plan Enforcement
| idfg-nnokkentved
Again this year, Idaho Fish and Game will be working with the U.S. Forest Service to educate the public about the proper use of motorized vehicles to limit disturbance to hunters, wildlife and the habitat. Off-highway vehicles are becoming more popular than ever, but no major changes have been made to the Targhee… moreUpland Game Bird Seasons Open
| idfg-mcoleman
The early fall general turkey season begins Monday, September 15, and seasons for sage- grouse, quail and partridge begin September 20. 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… moreSage-Grouse Season Opens
| idfg-lfrench
The sage-grouse hunting season opens Saturday, September 20. 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 limit, and two in… moreHunters, Call CAP 24/7
| idfg-mcoleman
Hunters are reminded to report wildlife crimes to the Citizens Against Poaching hotline. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-632-5999. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.OUTDOOR KIDS: Youth Hunting Opportunities
| idfg-lfrench
By Kelton Hatch Idaho Department of Fish… moreFish Salvage Open Below Magic Reservoir Dam
| idfg-mcoleman
The Big Wood River opened for salvage Friday, September 12, from below Magic Dam to the Richfield Canal Diversion. The Magic Valley regional office of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has extended the salvage order already in place on the Richfield Canal and the Big Wood River. The Fish and Game was notified… moreBighorn Sheep Viewing Station Open
| idfg-mcoleman
Anyone traveling near Salmon this summer or fall should stop by the new bighorn sheep viewing station to catch a glimpse of one of Idaho's most treasured animals. The viewing station is at Redrock Sportsman's Access area north of Salmon. At the site, there is plenty of parking, a rest room and now, an interpretive… moreAsk Fish and Game: License Age Requirement
| idfg-mcoleman
Q. My son turns 12 the day after opening of the deer season we want to hunt; does he have to wait to buy a license and tag? A. To buy a license to hunt big game, a person must have completed a hunter education program - unless he or she was born before January 1975 - and must be 12 years old. But youths may buy a… moreFish and Game to Host Emmett Sportsman's Breakfast
| idfg-nnokkentved
Plan now to attend a Sportsman's Breakfast from 6:30 to 8 a.m. September 30 at Cold Mountain Creek Restaurant in Emmett hosted by Idaho Fish and Game. The restaurant is at 1825 Highway 16, just below Freezeout Hill. Fish and Game will buy the coffee for attendees, and a hot breakfast will be available for a nominal… moreChukar Numbers Low Again
| idfg-mcoleman
Chukar numbers in Idaho's most reliable hot spots are low again this year. Recent aerial counts at Brownlee Reservoir on the Snake River showed chukar numbers below last year's and only about one-third of the 10-year average. Observers saw 453 birds, compared with last year's 506 and the 10-year average of 1,325. This… moreSockeye Released in Redfish Lake, Hatchery Opens
| idfg-mcoleman
State, federal and Shoshone-Bannock officials released more than 50 adult sockeye to spawn in Redfish Lake Tuesday morning September 2. Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and officials with Idaho Fish and Game, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, the Bonneville Power Administration and NOAA Fisheries released the fish as part of… moreNo Penalty for Filing Harvest Reports Early
| idfg-mcoleman
All deer, elk and pronghorn hunters must complete and submit a report for each tag issued within 10 days of harvest or within 10 days of the close of the season for which their tag was valid. The easiest way is to submit the harvest report card online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov, and click on the logo below the… moreError in Waterfowl Rules Book
| idfg-mcoleman
The single word "not" dropped out of the new 2008 waterfowl hunting rules brochure in a sentence explaining possession limits, creating an error hunters should note. The sentence should read: A person may not have more than the possession limit, even when such birds are stored at home or being processed at a… moreAsk Fish and Game: Second Drawing
| idfg-mcoleman
Q. My wife drew a deer permit in the recent second controlled hunt drawing; by what date does she need to buy tag? A. There is no set deadline. But she must buy the tag before she goes hunting.Big Wood River below Magic Dam Open to Fish Salvage
| idfg-nnokkentved
The Big Wood Canal Co. has informed the Magic Valley regional office of Idaho Fish and Game that Magic Reservoir Dam will be shut off on September 5. Because of drought and poor runoff, demand for irrigation water has exceeded the reservoir capacity. It is anticipated that fish in the Big Wood River below the… moreInformation Meeting on the Coeur d'Alene Lake Fishery
| idfg-nnokkentved
Anglers are invited to an informational meeting next Wednesday evening, September 10, to hear the latest information about the kokanee population status and discuss the future of the Chinook and kokanee fisheries in Coeur d'Alene Lake. The meeting will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Idaho Fish and Game regional office,… more