Fish and Game Corner

New hunters still have time to complete hunter education courses before the season

Courses can completed online or in a classroom

For those interested in hunting this fall, but who have not taken a hunter education course, it’s not too late. The online course is designed to be flexible and convenient. By completing an online course, students can get their hunter education certification on their own schedule and be ready to hunt this season.

Idaho Fish and Game’s online hunter education course costs $32.50 and is open to students who are at least 9 years old. The online course can be taken on any device with internet service, and it is self-paced. You can sign up for an online course on the Hunter Education webpage.

For those who prefer in-person training with an instructor and hands-on learning about firearm safety, we recommend the instructor-led courses. The availability of these courses this fall can be found at the link above (https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/education).

“This is the first step into a lifetime of hunting opportunities and memories,” said Brenda Beckley, Fish and Game hunter and angler recruitment manager. “We encourage all people interested in hunting - young and old - to take a hunter education course and join the tens of thousands of people who enjoy this fall tradition in Idaho.”

Archery hunter survives bear encounter

On the morning of Sunday, Sept. 1, an archery hunter was attacked by an adult male grizzly bear west of Henrys Lake in Island Park. The man was hunting elk with a friend on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest near the Divide Creek Road when the attack occurred.

During the surprise encounter, one of the hunters was knocked down and bitten by the bear. Both men were able to utilize their sidearms to shoot the bear, deterring the attack and killing the bear.

The hunters were able to call 911 and the injured individual was transported by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center where he is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Fish and Game responded to the scene after coordinating with Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Emergency Medical Service teams. Conservation Officers conducted a thorough investigation and determined that the hunters acted in self-defense during a surprise encounter with the bear from a very close distance.

“I am extremely grateful that both of these individuals survived this encounter,” says Fish and Game Regional Supervisor Matt Pieron. “I have had the opportunity to speak with the injured hunter and his family and they are truly wonderful people. I wish him a speedy recovery from his injuries and the trauma these two hunters experienced.”

Grizzly bears are protected under State and Federal law, and Fish and Game would like to remind hunters that grizzly bears may be encountered in north Idaho and the Greater Yellowstone areas.

Here are some good reminders when hunting in grizzly country:

• Carry bear spray and keep it readily accessible.

• Hunt with partners and make each other aware of plans.

• Look for grizzly bear sign, including fresh tracks. Let partners know if you do see sign.

• Retrieve meat as quickly as possible.

• Hang meat, food, and garbage at least 200 yards from camp and at least 10 feet off the ground.

• When not hunting, make noise, especially around creeks and thick vegetation. Most attacks occur by inadvertently surprising a bear at close range.

The 2024 Upland Game Bird Outlook

Idaho Fish and Game

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—like temperature and precipitation—and often vary in number from year to year. Oftentimes these can be very localized, so hunters may not see the same impact in other parts of the state.

Because of this, it’s difficult to provide a forecast across the board; however, Idaho Fish and Game Upland Game and Migratory Game Bird Coordinator Jeff Knetter says temperature and precipitation during the nesting season were very similar to last year and could be beneficial for upland bird populations this fall.

“Weather during late spring and early summer were quite similar to the previous two years. However, there was more precipitation coming into the nesting season and it was a bit warmer this year,” Knetter said. “These conditions provided quality nesting and brood-rearing habitat. July was exceptionally hot and dry, but early reports suggest many species fared better than
anticipated.”

Due to continued hot and dry conditions, birds will likely be concentrated around water sources, particularly early in the season.

Many upland game bird populations rebounded in 2023, and there should be carryover into the fall 2024 season. Habitat conditions should be in good shape, and there should be an abundance of insects for brood-rearing.

There’s ample opportunity for upland hunters to pursue a wide variety of birds across diverse landscapes in Idaho, and upland birds in some areas will have fared better than others depending on localized conditions.

To provide an idea of what’s available this hunting season, Fish and Game’s wildlife biologists in each region compiled an overview of upland game birds in their necks of the woods, so hunters can get a look at their favorite areas and quarry.

To find places to hunt upland game, check out https://idfg.idaho.gov/visit, which includes Fish and Game’s Wildlife Management Areas and Access Yes! properties.

To learn about upland game bird hunting rules and seasons, and more information, see https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/upland-bird Be sure to pick up a copy of the 2024-25 Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules booklet from all Fish and Game offices and license vendors, as well as digitally on Fish and Game’s website.

Southeast Region

Winter conditions across the Southeast Region were essentially average—some areas with slightly over 100% snow water equivalent and some with slightly less. Spring brought good rainfall across the region and intermittent rains have occurred throughout August, although July was quite hot and dry. Conditions for nesting and brood rearing should have been good in the early summer. Field reports are mixed across the region: In general, hunters should expect slightly increased numbers of upland birds this year when compared to last.

2024 Conditions

Winter conditions across the southeast region were essentially average (some areas with slightly over 100% snow water equivalent and some with slightly less). Spring brought good rainfall across the region and intermittent rains have occurred throughout August, although July was quite hot and dry. Conditions for nesting and brood rearing should have been good in the early summer. Fields reports are mixed across the region. In general, hunters should expect similar to slightly increased numbers of upland birds this year when compared to last.

Pheasant

• Trend from last year (2023): Stable