Youth hunting season opens in the Clearwater Region Saturday, Oct. 7

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 13:44 | idfg-jbruns

No plans this weekend? No Problem! The statewide youth pheasant season begins this Saturday, October 7th, and runs through Friday, October 13th. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce the youth in your life to upland hunting. Here in the Clearwater Region, Fish and Game will stock two pheasant release locations… more

Portion of Cecil D. Andrus WMA will be closed Oct. 22-24 for aerial herbicide application

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 13:42 | idfg-bpearson

An aerial herbicide application will close a portion of Cecil D. Andrus WMA from Oct. 22 through Oct. 24 to the public (both motorized and non-motorized traffic). The Grade Creek access road and the surrounding area (see map below) will be closed during the herbicide application.

Barring any unforeseen changes… more

Landowners in CWD project area authorized to harvest additional deer

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 12:31 | idfg-jbruns

To monitor for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and lower the potential for it to spread outside of the CWD positive area, Idaho Fish and Game is offering landowners within and adjacent to the Slate Creek “Hot Spot” area an authorization to harvest additional deer on their private lands or lands that they lease. This CWD… more

(VIDEO): How to preserve evidence of sex and species on a big game animal

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 08:10 | idfg-cliess

Failure to leave evidence of sex and species naturally attached to a big game animal remains one of the most common violations detected at Idaho Fish and Game check stations, so in order to help hunters, Fish and Game staff have created a helpful video (below) that walk you through how to leave evidence of sex and… more

F&G opens opportunity to comment on multiple proposed rulemaking changes

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 07:58 | idfg-cliess

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has approved the following proposed rulemaking:

Chapter 6: Rules Governing Classification and Protection of Wildlife (ZBR Rewrite) Chapter 8: Rules Governing Taking of Big Game Animals – Section 406 Special Weapons Seasons – Muzzleloader  Chapter 11: Rules Governing Fish (… more

F&G seeks input on muzzleloader ammunition proposed rule

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 07:53 | idfg-cliess

Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public input on a proposed rule change that would allow projectiles made of metal or metal alloy, and with accuracy tips and pressure bases, to be used in hunting seasons designated as “muzzleloader only.” 

This would be a change to the existing rule that only allows a patched… more

Rainbow trout stocking schedule for October 2023 in the Magic Valley Region

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 15:00 | idfg-tthompson

Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 36,450 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in October. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate.

Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns);… more

Hunters: If your tag isn't properly notched, it's invalid

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 11:04 | idfg-cliess

Know the rules for motorized travel in some big game hunting units

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 09:17 | idfg-cliess

With increasing use of motorized vehicles such as side-by-sides and ATVs by big game hunters, everyone, especially those using motorized vehicles, need to be aware of the motorized hunting rule. The rule applies when someone is actively hunting big game using a motorized vehicle. The rule is in effect from Aug. 30… more

F&G surveys fish populations in the Snake River prior to quagga mussel treatment

Wed, 10/04/2023 - 10:01 | idfg-tthompson

On Oct. 1-2, 2023, Idaho Fish and Game fisheries biologists from across southern Idaho used non lethal electrofishing techniques in the Snake River to mark fish in three short reaches of the river. Two of the reaches were in areas where quagga mussel larvae were detected by Idaho Department of Agriculture’s monitoring… more

Careful…that may not be the trophy bull you think it is

Tue, 10/03/2023 - 11:27 | idfg-cliess

You pull the binoculars up to your eyes and, lo and behold, that blurry brown object just off the side of the road appears to be an elk. And not just any elk — a massive six-point bull. Or so it seems.

Taking a shot on that suspiciously still bull might seem tempting, but it could also be a very costly mistake… more

Hunt safe with these 10 survival tips when hunting big game

Tue, 10/03/2023 - 10:06 | idfg-cliess

Every hunting season, hunters get lost in the woods, and while most escape no worse than tired, chilled and hungry, the hazards of being lost in Idaho's woods shouldn't be underestimated.

Hunters can take precautions and prepare for an unexpected situations in the woods.

Know the area you're hunting

… more

Know your species before heading into the mountains this fall

Tue, 10/03/2023 - 09:02 | idfg-tjross

Is that a mule deer or a white-tailed deer? A moose or an elk? A black bear or a grizzly bear? These are questions asked and thoughts pondered by many a sportsman each hunting season.

While it may seem like an easy task, correctly identifying your target species can be challenging at times. Weather conditions,… more

Hot tips for processing salmon and steelhead

Tue, 10/03/2023 - 07:54 | idfg-csullivan

Fall salmon and steelhead fishing is in full swing, and many happy anglers are celebrating the fall season with delicious fish in their coolers and on their tables. Filleting and processing large salmon and steelhead can be intimidating to some people, so this article was written to help those individuals and maybe… more

Hunter shoots grizzly bear in self-defense near Henrys Lake

Mon, 10/02/2023 - 21:55 | idfg-jbrower

On the evening of Sept. 30, a hunter shot and killed a large adult female grizzly bear in self-defense after it charged the man while hunting for elk, northwest of Henrys Lake. 

The hunter was moving through heavy timber when the large grizzly came out of the brush a short distance away from him.… more

Upper Salmon River Steelhead Update - 10/03/2023

Mon, 10/02/2023 - 15:36 | idfg-bbeller

Hi everyone, now that we are into October, we thought it would be a good time to issue the first steelhead fishing report for the fall 2023 season on the Upper Salmon River. IDFG personnel made multiple trips downriver last week to check for anglers and collect interviews. While there were a small number of anglers out… more

Reminder about important changes to waterfowl seasons in the Panhandle

Mon, 10/02/2023 - 11:36 | idfg-tjross

Hunters are reminded that season dates for Canada geese in Area 3 now include a split season. It is important for hunters to remember the Canada goose season will be closed for a 12-day period from Oct. 23–Nov. 3, opening again on Nov. 4. For more information, see page 9 in the 2023-24 Idaho Migratory Game Bird… more

(VIDEO): Here's what deer and elk hunting will look like in 2023

Mon, 10/02/2023 - 10:01 | idfg-cliess

With general archery seasons wrapping up in most parts of the state and deer and elk rifle seasons just around the corner, here is some helpful information to help temper hunters' expectations.