Press Releases and Articles
Capturing and GPS-collaring elk and moose from the sky – not your ordinary job
| idfg-tjross
To most folks, the notion of riding in a helicopter to locate, capture and place a GPS collar on an elk or moose seems like something only seen in movies or nature documentaries. For many Fish and Game staff, it’s another day on the job, and it’s all done with the goal of understanding and managing big game populations… more
Reminder for waterfowl hunters in the Panhandle: Season end dates differ from last year
| idfg-tjross
Hunters are reminded that 2023–24 waterfowl season dates differ from those of the 2022-23 season.
2023-24 duck season dates in Area 3:
Oct. 7, 2023–Jan. 19, 2024 Scaup Season: Oct. 26, 2023–Jan. 19, 20242023-24 Canada goose season dates in Area 3:
Oct. 7– Oct. 22, 2023 Nov. 4, 2023–Jan. 31,… more
F&G Range Grant Committee to meet Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. MST in Boise and virtually
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Range Grant Committee will hold a meeting on Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. MST at Fish and Game's headquarters building at 600 S. Walnut St. in Boise. The meeting will be streamed live via Zoom, however, members of the public in attendance or online can observe the meeting; but there will be no… more
F&G Commission meeting Jan. 24-25 in Boise
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will hold the public hearing and business meeting at Idaho Fish and Game’s headquarters office at 600 South Walnut Street in Boise. A public hearing will begin on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. MST at the same location. Those wishing to speak to the Commission during the public hearing will have a… more
Winter aerial surveys and capture work continues in the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
Winter is a busy season for wildlife staff across the state. Winter wildlife work will continue throughout the month of January. Staff will be capturing elk in Unit 10A over the next couple of weeks. These capture efforts are part of a larger elk survivability study.
Aerial elk and deer surveys will begin… more
Lake Cascade Fishery Update for 2024
| idfg-anthony.dangora
It's mid-January, and the ice fishing season on Lake Cascade is finally here. As of last weekend, ice anglers were spread out around the lake, reporting ice thickness ranges of 1 to 8 inches depending on their location. The widespread snow we're receiving this week in Valley County will make travel conditions on the… more
First “Talk Shop with Idaho Fish and Game” gathering will be held on January 17 in Coeur d’Alene
| idfg-tjross
The first of four “Talk Shop with Idaho Fish and Game” gatherings will take place on Jan. 17 in Coeur d’Alene. The gathering will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Lake City Center (1916 N Lakewood Drive, 83814).
Become an Idaho Master Naturalist! Introductory meeting scheduled in Pocatello.
| idfg-jjackson
The High Desert Chapter of the Idaho Master Naturalists is now recruiting new members to be a part of a unique volunteering experience in southeast Idaho! Those who love the outdoors and learning more about southeast Idaho’s wildlife, habitats, and other natural resources will discover a wide variety of fun and… more
Nampa Fish Hatchery Closed to Public During Construction
| idfg-bpearson
Construction work focused on improvements to the settling pond and outflow structures at Fish and Game’s Nampa Hatchery will necessitate a closure to unguided visitation, beginning Jan. 8.
Access to visit the facility with a guided group will still be available on a limited basis, by appointment. To… more
Adult Lecture Series at MK Nature Center
| idfg-sfocht
Idaho Fish and Game's MK Nature Center will host evening lectures for adults each month through May 2024. All lectures will be held at the MK Nature Center at 600 S. Walnut Street in Boise and will begin at 6:30 p.m. No registration is necessary; these events are free and open to the adult public. If you have questions… more
Boise River WMA closed to public on Jan. 7-8 for administrative management work
| idfg-bpearson
The Boise River Wildlife Management Area, including all WMA trails (Cobb, West Highland Valley, Homestead, and Lucky Peak), will be closed to the public for administrative management activities on Sunday, Jan. 7 and Monday, Jan. 8.
The access closure will be signed at all major entry points to the WMA. The… more
Hyde Pond Kid’s Ice Fishing Derby set for Jan. 27
| idfg-mdemick
Bundle up the kids, grab your fishing gear and head to Hyde Pond Saturday, Jan. 27 for some ice fishing fun.
The 31st annual Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby will be held from 8:00 a.m. to noon and is designed for youth ages 16 years and under. Prizes for big fish in four age categories will be awarded, and lucky… more
Applications for spring black bear controlled hunts open Jan. 15
| idfg-cliess
Hunters looking to apply for 2024 spring's controlled hunts for black bear can apply from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15. Information on the spring 2024 controlled black bear hunt can be found in the 2023 Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules booklet.
Hunters must have a 2024 hunting license in order to apply for controlled… more
Ground survey of bighorn sheep in Unit 26 suggests population is stable
| idfg-nborg
Fish and Game staff recently completed a ground survey of bighorn sheep along Big Creek in Unit 26.
Surveyors counted 75 sheep along Big Creek downstream of Cabin Creek. This is consistent with observations from previous surveys and suggests a stable population. Lamb ratios were slightly above average for… more
The Top 'Big Fish' Stories of 2023
| idfg-cliess
From a 40-pound lake monster in Hayden Lake to a 75-year-old record vindicated by passionate bass fishing sleuths, angler stories covered all manner of strange in 2023. Anglers from all over the state hoisted up some incredible benchmarks last year (and have pictures to show for it).
In total, 2023… more
F&G seeking information on bull elk killed in Pahsimeroi Valley
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking information about a bull elk shot and left to waste near May, Idaho in the Pahsimeroi Vally.
Conservation officers located the 5-point bull elk on private land east of Hooper Lane about 250 yards east of the Pahsimeroi River. The elk was thought to have been shot… more
F&G biologists complete herd composition surveys in Southwest Idaho
| idfg-rberkley
Each December, biologists across the state conduct mule deer surveys on key winter ranges to understand current herd composition, or proportions of bucks, does and fawns. The primary intent of these surveys is to measure fawn productivity and survival to 6 months of age, which is an important component in… more