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Access and water quality concerns are the biggest problems facing sport fishing today, according to a recent survey. In an April 2008 survey of more than 2,000 anglers, over 42% named access to water or water quality as the greatest threat to their sport.
Dean and Capt. Joe McGivern go for a Swardfish at night..
Watch the … VIDEO...!
Southwick Associates has announced the brands and products that hunters and shooters preferred most in 2007. This list has been compiled from the 19,288 surveys that
As part of the federal delisting agreement, the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming all included hunting as a component of their overall management plan for gray wolves.
National Hunting and Fishing Day, the Congressionally appointed celebration of hunters, anglers and conservation set for Sept. 27, welcomes Outdoor Channel as an official sponsor for 2008.
California’s anglers and boaters have scored a partial victory in the effort to maintain access to coastal marine areas.
Today’s youth have lots of things that they can do with their time, probably too many things. In addition to family, school and even jobs
Both forest and fish & game officials report seeing bears tracks in the snow in the Island Park area. Bears are emerging from their winter dens
Horsethief is owned by the Fish and Game Department and is kept full of water throughout the year and is managed strictly as a family fishing water.
Ice fishing is becoming increasingly difficult with the warmer weather. Anglers should use caution if attempting to access ice, as shorelines are likely to be dangerous.
Senior Conservation Officer Shane Liss received a call regarding an apparent moose poaching incident west of Felt, Idaho. Upon investigation of the scene
the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association – is an organisation with over 200 members in Europe, representing the interests of tens of thousands of fishing tackle employees.
Yesterday, was a good indication of springtime and the long overdue seasonal changes. We can enjoy the warmer temperatures, longer days and grass underfoot—a perfect combination for outside activities.
A substantial majority of U.S. hunters feel that portrayal of hunters in movies and on television shows is biased and inaccurate, according to a recent survey.
Yellow Perch: Fishing for yellow perch is excellent. Anglers are catching perch throughout the reservoir in about 15 of water. Use small pieces of cut bait and fish close to the bottom.
The vast majority of American shooters do not reload their shotshells or centerfire rifle and pistol cartidges, according to a recent survey.
Idaho — Idaho is finalizing plans to allow the public hunting of gray wolves this fall, now that federal protections have been lifted, and state wildlife
After over ten years of federal protection, gray wolves will be de-listed from the Federal Endangered Species Act on Friday.
Any person, organization, club, business, partnership, corporation or other entity that sponsors a fishing contest which is based on the capture of an individual fish …
La Nia has delivered as advertised in Idaho this winter, leaving robust snowpack levels across the state and giving farmers hope that rivers and reservoirs will have ample
If you are considering becoming a State of Idaho employee, have just joined the team of state employees,
Canyons are usually known for their scenic beauty and local wildlife, but in an area of Upper Rock Creek Canyon, immediately surrounded by more than 40 residents…
State wildlife officials are dismissing warnings by critics of Wyoming’s wolf management plan of the imminent slaughter of up to two-thirds of the state’s wolves after the animal loses protection under the federal Endangered Species Act next month…
Idaho hunters would be allowed to kill somewhere between 100 and 300 gray wolves this fall under a plan proposed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game ..
About 200,000 young rainbow trout were killed Tuesday afternoon, December 11, at the Idaho Fish and Game hatchery in Grace when a chlorine pipe began to leak….
The draft plan identifies 12 management goals, developed from a series of public involvement efforts over the past 10 months. Last winter the University of Idaho and the Department conducted a survey of more than 4,500 mule deer hunters. Public meetings were held throughout Idaho during September and October. A Mule Deer Workshop was held in Pocatello in August with more than 100 participants. Results from all of these public involvement efforts were used to draft the management goals in the plan.
Two ten-month old grizzly bear brothers have started exploring their habitat and meeting the public as they debut at the San Diego Zoo on a rainy morning Nov. 30…
If during the busy holiday season there were only one evening that an Idaho outdoorsman could commit to attending a public meeting, Wednesday the 5th of December would be the one night that they would want to reserve…
Big game hunters can find more information on the sale and purchase of tags for both resident and nonresidents by reviewing pages 5-10 of the 2007 Idaho Big Game Season Rules Booklet.
Fish and Game is seeking public review and comments on the draft wolf management plan, which will guide post-delisting wolf monitoring and management. The Department is proposing using regulated harvest to help manage wolf populations, provide harvest opportunity, and to help reduce conflicts. Additionally, the plan proposes management to provide viewing opportunity.
Buck vulnerability – or how susceptible a buck is to harvest during the hunting season – is not a new concept. Many situations lead to increased vulnerability, including habitat fragmentation, decreased hiding cover, liberal seasons, hunting during the rut, advances in weapon and equipment technology, and gentle terrain.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has developed a draft wolf population management plan that includes provisions for hunting wolves – in anticipation of wolves in Idaho being removed from the endangered species list.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game is soliciting public comment on the draft Idaho Mule Deer Management Plan.
The general mule deer hunting season may be over, but Conservation Officers (COs) from the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) are still hard at work hunting for the party responsible for the poaching of four mule deer …
Many poaching cases are reported and solved because of information provided by concerned members of the public. That is why the CAP hotline is so important. It provides an anonymous means for getting valuable information to investigating officers, and through the CAP program, rewards are often possible.
It only took about 150,000,000 years, but white sturgeon have finally arrived in the Snake River in downtown Idaho Falls, Idaho…
The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) comprised of state and federal agencies that monitor grizzly bear population trends in…
When the grizzly bear was delisted in the Yellowstone Ecosystem last spring not only did the status of the bear change, so did the name …
Pheasant season is just around the corner and with it comes the excitement of getting out in the field, shotgun in hand, and enjoying the experiences associated with upland game bird hunting…
On Saturday, September 29th, Fish and Game and volunteers will be headed to Stone in southern Idaho to remove approximately 4 miles of fence on BLM land near the Black Pine area. The fence which stands over 8 feet high is currently impeding access to habitat by mule deer.
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission at their July 2007 meeting approved a draft of the 2008-2009 fishing rule changes.
The Pocatello Wildlife Film Festival is being sponsored by numerous local wildlife enthusiasts, sportsmen’s groups, conservation organizations, and state and federal agencies. For more information about the PWFF, please call Karrie Schmidt at 232-9306 or Alicia Tauscher at 282-4579; weekdays, 8 am.- 4:30 pm.
Managing natural resources is often not so much about cutting trees or counting elk, it’s about managing how people utilize those resources…
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest has issued a temporary area closure starting August 17, 2007 for the Moose Creek …
Bears that learn to associate people with food often become aggressive and dangerous.
In addition to the 600 pelicans already marked this year in Southeastern Idaho, Fish and Game will continue to band …
Even though Idaho has been hot and dry this summer, nesting conditions in Canada earlier this spring were favorable for the waterfowl that will pass this way in the fall…
All hunters and wildlife enthusiasts are invited to participate in the upcoming Mule Deer Management Workshop scheduled for Saturday, August 4th, at Idaho …
All hunters and wildlife enthusiasts are invited to participate in the upcoming Mule Deer Management Workshop scheduled for Saturday, August 4th, at Idaho State University in Pocatello. This free workshop sponsored by the Southeast Idaho Mule Deer Foundation and Sportsman’s Warehouse will run from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm
Places like Sand Creek WMA outside of St. Anthony have a number of undeveloped sites that draw a faithful following of campers, but due to extremely try conditions, managers have been forced to put immediate campfire restrictions in place.
Representatives of various interests, including livestock owners, outfitters, hunters, environmental and wildlife advocates met with Idaho Fish and Game officials June 14 in Boise to discuss a wolf harvest management plan.
New Instructor Orientation outlines how to organize the class, select meeting sites, how to order supplies and how to get students registered and finally certified. Instructors learn how to use lesson plans, how to teach using various methods, and how to employ effective teaching styles.
Warm water anglers can look towards McTucker ponds management area for another bass and pan fish fishery thanks to region 5 Idaho Fish & Game 208-232-4703. With an aggressive stocking program, look for warm water fish like bass, bluegill, sunfish and catfish to be tugging at your line throughout the summer months.
The far southeastern corner of Idaho is a warm water anglers dream. With small bodies of water dotted across this region, anglers have the opportunity to fish for a wide variety of species like bass, crappies, bluegill, perch, tiger musky and rainbows.<
The reports on the reservoir have been good. Anglers are landing rainbows up to eight pounds and small mouth in the two – five pound range. This early period is a good bet before the draw down starts in mid summer, draining the reservoir to a riverbed.
There, in a gorgeous mountain setting, educators will learn about the amazing beauty and fragility of the high deserts that surround us. They will also learn of the fantastic animals that live in Idaho’s deserts, and the challenges they face in their unique environment.
Don’t forget that Free Fishing Day is just around the corner, and once again the Southeast Regional Office of the Idaho Fish and Game is sponsoring an event at McTucker Ponds.
The free event starts at 9:00 AM and runs until 4:00 PM, but registration starts at 8:30 AM and everyone who takes place in at least six of the mini-seminars will be entered in a drawing for a new rifle. The seminars are all free and will cover such topics as fishing, archery, trapping, turkey calling, muzzleloading, hound dogging, horse and llama packing and falconry. A trailer with a portable laser shooting gallery will also be on hand for youngsters to test their skills.
Volunteer Services and Hunter Ed Coordinator for southeast region Fish and Game, Terri Bergmeier, says, “Volunteers make contributions of time, energy and expertise on a variety of projects, many of which would not be accomplished otherwise. We appreciate all the assistance volunteers provide.”
Steve Schmidt, Regional Supervisor for Fish and Game hopes many will catch the vision, “Wouldn’t it be great to have an area where kids and the whole family could hop on their bikes and ride to a pond to catch some fish?”
Even with all the various relocation efforts, there has not been a noticeable reduction in hunting opportunity or a reduction in the following year’s depredation complaints in the Panhandle. The proposed changes include increasing the bag limit to five turkeys and extending the fall hunting season to December 15 in Units 1, 2, 3, and 5.
The actual total number of sandhill cranes that can be harvested is set by the Pacific Flyway Council, not IDFG. What IDFG does control is how to get the maximum benefit from the total allotment the state receives each year. Last year the limit was set at 336, of which 236 actual birds were harvested. “This year the allocation has been set at 306 birds, a similar number to last year.” says Tom Hemker, statewide waterfowl coordinator for Idaho.
Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, Tim Henderson and a 15 year old male grizzly bear collided on April 10, 2007 northeast of Tetonia, Idaho. As a result, Tim was badly injured and the bear was ultimately destroyed. I am thankful that Mr. Henderson appears to be on the road to a complete recovery and wish both he and his family health and much happiness. As we put this tragedy behind us, I wish to share my thoughts to speed the healing process and help avoid future bear and human conflicts. Hopefully, this message will begin a discourse in Teton, Fremont, and Clark counties regarding what we have learned from this incident.
According to Regional Fisheries Manager Jim Fredericks, “The scoping phase of the process is when we want to hear ideas on potential rule changes from anglers, as well as share our information and ideas about where changes may be appropriate.”
The story of the Rocky Mountain population of Greater Sandhill Cranes is a wildlife management success. Numbers have increased from a total of a few thousand in the 1960’s to around 23,000 last fall. Southeast Idaho, mainly Caribou and Bear Lake counties, host the largest single concentration of the birds when they gather in August and early September to stage for their fall migration to their wintering areas in southern Colorado and New Mexico.
Idaho has more than 10 world-class blue-ribbon wild trout streams, including the Henrys Fork, Silver Creek and the St. Joe River scattered throughout the state. Many other high-quality trout streams exist, and the new reports will help angles find those spots.
“Coyote removal efforts are conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services from Dec.1 to July 1,” said Boudreau.
This spring IDFG is gearing up in a big way to do some really positive things to benefit mule deer and is looking for volunteers to plant some bitterbrush seedlings, about 34,000 plants to be more accurate!
The Egin-Hamer Road divides the closures area into two uneven segments. The smaller southern segment will open to human traffic at sunrise on April 1, 2007. The larger northern segment will remain closed to human traffic until sunrise on May 1, 2007.
The auction of found, forfeited, and seized items by IDFG is an annual happening. Those familiar with the event call it by its shortened name of “The Fur Sale.” As the name implies, the majority of the items up for auction are furs and hides either found, confiscated or seized by the courts throughout the state during the past year.
While the majority of people who head out to the hills for fun are responsible, a select few seem to go out of their way to cause trouble.
This commitment coupled with State wildlife agencies’ approved grizzly bear management plans ensure that adequate regulatory mechanisms are in place and that the Yellowstone grizzly bear population will not become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Therefore, based on the best scientific and commercial information available, we are finalizing the delisting of the Yellowstone grizzly bear DPS. More information on this action and other post-delisting management documents are available below.
The plan reviews historical and current distribution and abundance based on fishery surveys and historical accounts. It describes the isolated nature of the Big Lost River drainage that has lead to genetic differences between Big Lost River mountain whitefish and other populations in the Snake River basin. Finally, the plan discusses potential factors affecting the population and identifies management actions believed to be critical to the attainment of population objectives are identified.
Topics to be explored include the value the animals killed each year could have to the Idaho economy; how other state and countries have tackled the problem of highway mortality; and how future road and highway construction and improvements could lessen the wildlife death toll.
Jennifer Jackson from Idaho Fish and Game explains how Shooter Bull Operations work in the State of Idaho – the roll of Fish and Game and the Department of Agriculture.
“We are so lucky to have three official measurers with over 30 years of experience,” says Jennifer Jackson, Regional Conservation Educator for Fish and Game. “The service is free, so even if you are not sure your item is record worthy, bring it by anyway. We will be happy to rough score it.”
Hunter Education courses are taught by trained, volunteer instructors who adhere to statewide standards. Courses involve lectures and demonstrations, homework, field experiences, firing exercises and a written exam.
Anyone interested in the management of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Idaho has 30 days to review and comment on the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s management plan.
February 2, Wildlife Services received a report that five wolves were seen running through a herd of cattle on a private ranch near Glenns Ferry.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has begun work on a new statewide Mule Deer Management Plan, and officials want to hear from mule deer hunters across the state.
“We have several options available for both hunter education and bowhunter education,” Fish and Game wildlife educator Dan Papp said. “These include traditional classroom courses, home study and online course options.”<
“The public uses the resource and so we want to understand how the public wants it managed,” says Corey Class, regional wildlife biologist for the southeast region of Fish and Game. He adds, “That doesn’t mean we can make all hunters happy all the time, but we try our best to mesh what hunters want with what’s best for the resource.”
The Big Desert Sage Grouse Local Working Group will focus on sage grouse populations and habitat in the Blaine, Butte, Bingham, and Power County areas.
There are a number of factors affecting the health of Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations including hybridization and competition with non-native trout, water management, and habitat degradation.
Workshop participants will take home a variety of educational materials, including two activity guides which contain more than 150 activities related to wildlife and wildlife conservation.
For mule deer, aspen stands provide exceptional fawning sites and fawns reared in aspen communities fair better than those reared in sagebrush or other habitat types. Furthermore, aspen provide a scenic beauty that is cherished by outdoors enthusiasts.
Besides winter carryover, the stocking rates have confounded the picture. Over the past 50 years, IDFG has managed the reservoir with a wide range of stocking strategies. Varying numbers of fingerling rainbow trout have been stocked in the spring, summer, and fall, in addition to a lesser number of “catchable” or 10-12 inch sized fish.
“We’re deeply indebted to the elk breeders for helping the Caine Center obtain this equipment,” Bulgin added. “It save so many personnel hours and lets us serve our clientele so much more efficiently.
This elk waste case is yet another event in a rash of elk waste cases plaguing southeast Idaho this year.
“We’re looking at the data, keeping open minds, and looking at various options for maintaining ice-fishing opportunity without compromising the quality of the fishery or creating access problems”, Fredericks said.
IDFG officers will attempt to remove remaining escaped domestic elk whenever we can, but we really need the public’s help right now to focus our efforts so we can both address this problem and deal with the regular demands officers face during the peak of the hunting season.” said Schmidt.
CWD is one of a group of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathys (TSE) that includes bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cows, scrapie in sheep, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in humans. CWD was first discovered in Colorado in 1967. Since that time, it has been documented in free ranging deer and elk in northeastern Colorado, southeastern Wyoming, northeastern Utah, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Arizona. It has also been documented in captive deer and elk facilities in several other states. So far, CWD has not been found in Idaho. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control have concluded that there is currently no evidence that CWD in deer and elk is transmitted to humans.
The depredation hunt in Unit 62 is open only to those landowners and hunters who receive a letter from the Department of Fish and Game informing them that they can participate.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game will use an unusual looking trout to help improve fishing at the Sand Creek WMA ponds. Fishing in the four Sand Creek Ponds has declined in recent years and biologists are hoping that a better understanding of overwinter trout survival in the different ponds can help improve the fishery.
CHUBBUCK, Idaho (AP)—The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has captured two domesticated European deer that apparently escaped from private property and wandered into a downtown trailer park.

Outdoor writer Dave Langston resides in Chubbuck. He grew up in the Midwest and south fishing and hunting across the country.
... more About Dave Langston >>
The Western States Sportsman crew recently paid a visit to the Crow’s Nest Ranch near Mackay, ID to hunt pheasant and chukar. We had a great hunt there hunting the wild chukar that roost on the mountain above the ranch as well as the pheasant that the operators of the ranch raise for hunting.
This is a special episode of the Western States Sportsman. Come with us as we venture to Juniper Mountain Ranch in Idaho and test out products new for 2007 and 2008.
With thousands of elk, deer and exotic antlers, Wild West Designs makes some of the finest western home furnishings on the market.
This prize winner is equally good with hamburger if you don’t have any game available.
This sausage has a wonderful flavor to complement any breakfast — try it in a breakfast sandwich . . . we did and it was great!
Chef Kirt gives some tips on how to keep your jerky fresh once your done smoking it.
The Exhibit at the Idaho Museum of Natural History will be on display for the next year. It’s a great opportunity to experience our heritage which has actually expanded to today’s practices.
Chef Kirt Martin shows how to make sure your wild turkey remains juicy and tender.