Press Releases and Articles
Trapper education course planned Sept. 23 in Salmon
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game will host a trapper education course in Salmon on Saturday, September 23. The course will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fish and Game Regional Office, 99 Highway 93 North.
Advanced registration is required, and class size will be limited. To register, go online to Fish… more
Bull elk killed illegally and left to waste near Cottonwood, Idaho
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game needs the public’s assistance in identifying the people responsible for illegally killing and partially wasting a bull elk off Keuterville Rd, near Cottonwood, ID.
On September 8, 2023, a local officer received a report of a large bull elk carcass left to waste on a local landowner’s… more
The State of Deer and Elk: What Is CWD? (VIDEO)
| idfg-cliess
As hunting season gets underway, Idaho Fish and Game is raising awareness about chronic wasting disease (CWD) — an infectious, incurable and fatal disease that affects deer, elk and moose that was first detected in Idaho in 2021. Fish and Game continues to monitor for CWD throughout the state, with the highest emphasis… more
Upcoming fall trapper and wolf trapper education classes in the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game has scheduled several trapper and wolf trapper education classes throughout the fall in the Clearwater Region.
All trappers in Idaho that have not held an Idaho trapping license prior to 2011 are required to attend and pass trapper education. All wolf trappers, regardless of trapping… more
Help fight wildlife crime by calling the CAP hotline
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game has 78 conservation officers in the entire state. With over 83,000 square miles to cover, officers cannot be everywhere at once. The public’s extra eyes and ears play a critical role in helping officers detect wildlife crimes.
Hunters and trappers should expect low water levels this year on portions of Boundary-Smith Creek WMA in North Idaho
| idfg-tjross
Hunter and trappers planning this year to visit the Boundary-Smith Creek Wildlife Management Area, located north of Bonners Ferry, should know that the northernmost large wetland along Westside Road, known as wetland cell 3, will not have water in it during the 2023-24 hunting and trapping seasons. Water that would… more
Youth pheasant hunt scheduled Oct. 7 in Salmon
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Department of Fish and Game will host a youth pheasant hunt in Salmon on Saturday, October 7.
Idaho Chronic Wasting Disease Awareness Week is Sept. 11-18, 2023
| idfg-scassinelli
As hunting season gets underway, Idaho Fish and Game is raising awareness about chronic wasting disease (CWD); an infectious, incurable, and fatal disease that affects deer, elk, and moose that was first detected in Idaho in 2021.
Gov. Brad Little has proclaimed Sept. 11-18, 2023, as Chronic Wasting Disease… more
10 tips for hunters during fire season
| idfg-cliess
With many hunting seasons underway (or set to begin soon) and dry conditions across parts of the state, hunters are reminded to be extra careful and pay close attention to current fire restrictions.
While recent rainfall, shorter daylight hours and cooler temperatures have reduced fire danger across most of the… more
Snorkel crews endure nature's cold plunge
| idfg-Alexa.Ballinger
Recent health and wellness science implies that a “cold plunge” may be good for the human brain, body and bragging rights. But why spend money on a kiddie pool and 40 pounds of ice when you can spend it on another fly rod and an elk tag?
Idaho is chock-full of natural cold plunges. Just ask your regional Idaho… more
Reports of mountain lions and black bears on the increase in Ketchum and Sun Valley
| idfg-tthompson
Residents in the northern part of the Wood River Valley are reporting numerous sightings of mountain lions and black bears to Fish and Game staff in the Magic Valley Region. The most recent lion reports are primarily coming in from Ketchum and Sun Valley and are typically of a solitary mountain lion, but there have… more
Archery hunters kill grizzly bear in self-defense
| idfg-jbrower
On the evening of Sept. 1, two archery hunters shot and killed a large adult male grizzly bear in self-defense while hunting for elk west of Island Park Reservoir.
The hunters were moving through thick brush when a large grizzly charged directly towards them from a short distance away. Both… more
Two grizzly bears trapped and euthanized outside of Ashton after months of conflicts with humans
| idfg-jbrower
On Aug. 31, after consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish and Game trapped and euthanized two, 1 ½ year old grizzly bears in the Squirrel area east of Ashton. The two bears, a male and a female, received many food rewards, consistently showed no fear of humans, and acted aggressively towards… more
Private land access agreements set to reopen in North Idaho
| idfg-tjross
With the recent rains and cooler weather, private land managers in North Idaho have set dates to rescind recent land closures and allow normal public access. Below are the dates parcels will open, as well as a news release directly from North Idaho Timber Group.
Godde Family/Kroetch Land and Timber Company is… more
The 2023 Upland Game Bird Outlook
| idfg-cliess
Idaho, with one of the most rugged landscapes in the union, offers a ton of upland game bird hunting opportunities. Whether you find yourself in the high-mountain timber or the lowland-sagebrush steppe, there’s a good chance you’re in upland bird country.
Upland game birds are sensitive to environmental factors… more
Fall Chinook Salmon Update (8/31/2023)
| idfg-jdupont
Idaho’s fall Chinook Salmon season opened on August 18, so I figured I better put out an update to let people know what is going on with this fishery. In this update, I will try to answer the questions people have been asking most frequently including what is the run looking like, what percent of the run is being… more
The State of Deer and Elk: EHD vs. CWD (VIDEO)
| idfg-cliess
It’s no secret. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease and chronic wasting disease have both reared their ugly heads in the last couple years and have impacted Idaho’s deer and elk in localized areas. While both diseases affect members of the deer family, there are some pretty significant differences between the two.
In… more
Be sure to brush up on your wildlife identification skills before your fall hunt
| idfg-sross
Fall is approaching! Once again it’s time to dust off the hunting gear, lace up, load up and head out to the hills. Hopefully before Thanksgiving most of us will have notched a tag or two and be enjoying some well-earned woodland meals shared with family and friends. Many of life’s fondest memories come from time spent… more