Press Releases

Reptiles surrendered by Idaho Falls resident

Fish and Game officers recently took possession of several exotic reptiles from an Idaho Falls area residence. This is the second investigation of its type to occur this September following the seizure of several dozen venomous snakes from a Boise home earlier in the month.

Fish and Game treats Heagle Pond in Hailey killing thousands of invasive goldfish

In the spring of 2020 Fish and Game received reports of goldfish swimming in Heagle Pond adjacent to Lawrence Heagle Park in Hailey. This week, fisheries biologists with Fish and Game treated Heagle Pond with rotenone, a natural plant-based substance that is toxic to fish.

Kirtley Creek and Pahsimeroi River access areas added to IDFG’s expanded pheasant stocking locations

Hunters should be excited that starting in early October, pheasants will be stocked at the Kirtley Creek Access Yes property, a privately-owned site near Salmon, and the Pahsimeroi River Access Area near May.

Idaho’s deer hunters asked to help monitor for CWD

This fall, successful deer hunters are asked to help Idaho Fish and Game increase its monitoring efforts for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a contagious and fatal disease that affects mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, caribou and moose.

Badger Fire in Game Management Unit 54 impacts big game hunts

The Badger Fire on the Minidoka Ranger District has led to the closure of a significant portion of Unit 54 south of Twin Falls, impacting several big game hunts this fall. The Badger Fire started on the Cassia Division of the Minidoka Ranger District on September 12, 2020.

Use emergency gear during your hunting trip for more than emergencies

If you don’t have an emergency, that emergency gear is just dead weight that’s taking up space. What if you could use it for more than emergencies? Not only can you, you should because there are lots of other uses for that gear besides catastrophes,

Youth pheasant season runs Oct. 3-9, new stocking areas added this year

Fish and Game in 2020 will increase the number of locations where pheasants are released, and most areas will be stocked for the youth hunting season. 

Mountain lion sightings in Salmon serve as reminder to use caution

Reports of a mountain lion in the city limits of Salmon continue to come in to Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game. Most reports are sightings of a single, young lion moving through yards and streets on the Bar Hill.

Understandably, residents are concerned.

Avista's 10 mile transmission rebuild goes through a portion of Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area

To allow for heavy equipment access, Avista plans to conduct road repairs to Eagle Creek Road between China Creek and Wapshilla Creek prior to the transmission line work. The road repairs are scheduled to begin in late September 2020, and will take 1-2 weeks to complete. The transmission line work will begin after road repairs are completed, with an anticipated work window of October 2020 through November 2020. 

TDS telecom fiber optic work begins along Snake River

Disturbance to sportsman should be minimal, however crews will be accessing the site via the Madden Corrals Road. Work is expected to be completed by October 10th.

Maiden Hunt 3: Join young Clara on her hunt, and her father discusses the importance of mentoring

Each hunter comes to hunting with a different perspective, background, concerns, and interests.  From balancing a love of nature with the emotional experience of harvesting an animal, to following in family footsteps, these short films explore the realities of becoming a hunter and illustrate how hunting is so much more than the harvest.

Hunters traveling out of state: Prevent CWD by knowing Idaho's carcass import rules

Hunters traveling out of state need to be aware of Idaho's rules on importing carcasses back into the state so they can help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. Fish and Game has not detected chronic wasting disease in Idaho, and your help is essential to keeping the state CWD free.

'Sock Guy for Sockeye' earns national award for helping sockeye salmon

Twelve-year-old Topher Jones of Boise, also known as the “Sock Guy for Sockeye”, was among 25 winners of the 2020 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, which annually honors outstanding young leaders who have made a significant and positive difference to people and the environment. 

Hunters prepared with bear spray survive attack in Island Park

On the morning of Sept. 18, an archery hunter was attacked by a bear while pursuing elk in a remote area of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest south of Two Top Mountain in Island Park. The victim and his hunting companion encountered the bear from a close distance while in thick brush. Though not confirmed by Fish and Game, the hunters described the bear as a grizzly.

Ten tips for safe firearm handling while hunting

Statistics from the National Shooting Sports Foundation show that hunting with firearms is actually one of the safest recreational activities in the country. Here are 10 ways to keep things safe. 

F&G provides millions of acres of access for hunting

Fish and Game provides provides millions of acres of public access through its lands and numerous agreements and lease programs with private land owners. 

ATV Users: Know Where You Can Travel Before You Go

A common complaint heard every hunting season by Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) officers and biologists involves the violation of motorized vehicle restrictions.

Fish and Game Commission approves Clearwater Coho season and shooting hours for Upland Game Bird Permit areas

Meeting September 15 via conference call, the Commission approved a Coho season for the Clearwater River. Fishing for Coho on the mainstem Clearwater River downstream from Memorial Bridge begins immediately with fishing allowed 7 days a week.