Mountain Lion, Cougar, or Puma

Cougar in Boise is a reminder we all live near wildlife

Most wildlife encounters, including those with mountain lions, are brief and non threatening, but  Fish and Game provides tips for people to help them understand more about these cats, what do if they see one, and how they can avoid attracting mountain lions to their homes and property. 

Mountain Lion Sightings Serve as Reminder to Use Caution

It's no secret that Idaho is known for its abundant and diversity of wildlife.

Yet to the surprise of some people, wildlife - including mountain lions - can be found in and around where people live.

Recent mountain lion sightings near Winchester should serve as a reminder to residents and visitors that they can expect to see lions anywhere in Idaho.

In the past few weeks, lions have been spotted outside of the community of Winchester.

F&G finds safe new home for orphaned mountain lion kittens

Two orphaned mountain lion kittens took refuge behind hay bales in a barn in Meadows near McCall, much to the surprise of the property owners and their horses. Too small to make it on their own, and after several weeks of becoming habituated to and fed by humans, Fish and Game decided that a captive facility would be the best option for these naïve youngsters.

Female mountain lion harvest season closed in Unit 23

Lion hunters should note that the harvest season for female mountain lion has closed in game management unit 23, as the harvest quota of eight females was reached March 9, 2017.

Hunters will be allowed to keep female mountain lions taken prior to this closure but must report them within five days of harvest. The harvest season in this unit remains open for males only until the season ends March 31, 2017.

Female mountain lion harvest season closed in Unit 39 near Idaho City

Mountain lion hunters should note that the harvest season for female mountain lion has closed in game management unit 39, as the harvest quota of ten females was reached February 23, 2017.

Hunters will be allowed to keep female mountain lions taken prior to this closure but must report them within five days of harvest. The harvest season in this unit remains open for males only until the season ends March 31, 2017.

Mountain lion harvest season closed in Unit 55

Mountain lion hunters should note that the harvest season for both female and male mountain lion has closed in game management Unit 55 south of Burley, as the harvest quota of six females was reached February 14, 2017.   

Hunters will be allowed to keep mountain lions taken prior to this closure but must report them within five days of harvest. The dog training season remains open in this unit until March 31, 2017.

Idaho’s 2017 & 2018 big game season proposals available online

Idaho Fish and Game's proposed changes for the 2017 & 2018 big game hunting seasons are available online for public review and comment.

The proposals for deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, mountain lion and gray wolf are listed by region and are available at: https://idfg.idaho.gov/form/big-game-2017. Only those seasons and hunts for which changes are proposed are listed.  All others will remain the same as they were during the 2015 & 2016 hunting seasons.

Female mountain lion harvest season closed in Unit 36B near Challis

Mountain lion hunters should note that the harvest season for female mountain lion has closed in game management unit 36B near Challis, as the harvest quota of two females was reached February 9, 2017.   

Hunters will be allowed to keep female mountain lions taken prior to this closure but must report them within five days of harvest. The harvest season in this unit remains open for males only until the season ends March 31, 2017. 

Fish and Game Releases Fourth Mountain Lion Kitten

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has finally released the fourth mountain lion kitten that was captured from the Johnny Creek Area at the end of January.

Using signals from a radio collar affixed to the mother mountain lion, Fish and Game was able to determine her location by the end of last week and released the kitten in proximity to her.

Upper Snake Sets Meetings To Present Proposed Big Games Seasons

February 8, 2017

IDFG Sets Meetings To Present Proposed Big Games Seasons

IDAHO FALLS – Biologists from the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) are ready to begin the public comment phase of their big game season setting process by heading out to present to the public the proposals they are considering moving forward on.  These proposals were created after reviewing big game population data collected in the past month and by meeting with sportsmen in the region in January.