Hook & Bulletin

Ep. 109 - March 2026 Commission Meeting

Welcome to Idaho Fish and Game’s Hook and Bulletin podcast—your weekly news roundup of hunting, fishing, trapping, and conservation stories from around the Gem State.
Listen to the full recap of the March 25, 2026 Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting in Boise. You can also rewatch the March 2026 commission meeting on our YouTube channel. 
IN THIS EPISODE
(0:00:00) - Opening Comments(0:00:44) - Review of Public Comment(0:07:52) - Rulemaking and Budget Update/Petition for Rulemaking (Action) (0:24:16) - Spring Chinook Season Setting (Action)(0:43:44) - Unit 40 Bighorn Sheep Season Modification (Action)(1:02:42) - CWD Update and Adjustment to Mandatory Sampling Units (Action)(1:17:46) - 5-Day Waiting Period to Buy Capped Elk Zone Tags (Action)(1:30:36) - Legislative Update(1:39:55) - Nonresident Tag Draw Update(1:55:26) - Deer and Elk Status Update(2:35:07) - 2026 Migratory Game Bird Season Setting Preview(2:56:26) - Jacks Creek (Owyhee) Bighorn Sheep Augmentation Update(3:07:36) - Shikar-Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year 2025(3:15:35) - History of Outfitter Allocation(3:58:13) - Electronic Permits (E-Tag) Update(4:24:08) - History of the Idaho Game Warden(4:57:45) - State Record Fish Program(5:21:20) - Director’s Report
🔗 To learn more, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 108 - New Record Trout, Moose Ticks, and White-Nose Syndrome

Welcome to Idaho Fish and Game’s Hook and Bulletin podcast—your weekly news roundup of hunting, fishing, trapping, and conservation stories from around the Gem State.
This week, we’re talking about another Idaho state record fish, an upcoming Commission meeting, shed hunting ethics, and a quick look at how the state’s mule deer fawns and elk calves have fared so far this winter. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:44) Mild winter means deer fawn and elk calf survival looks good as we enter spring🦌 State of Deer and Elk series
(00:05:07) Shed Hunt Responsibly: Just because snow has melted doesn’t mean winter is over for elk and deer
(00:11:59) North Idaho angler hauls in new C&R state record cutthroat trout🏆 Record Fish Webpage
(00:14:04) White-nose syndrome confirmed in Idaho bats for first time🦠 Report a Sick or Dead Animal
(00:18:06) Fish and Game reminds the public that winter ticks on moose are normal
(00:21:13) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ Fish and Game Commission to meet March 24-25 in Boise▪️ Volunteer groups needed for Edson Fichter Nature Area service days this spring, summer, and fall▪️ Salmon Region irrigators asked to contact Fish and Game before turning ditch water on this spring
 
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 107 - Fishing at Hagerman WMA, Anderson Ranch Kokanee, and Turkey Results

Welcome to Idaho Fish and Game’s Hook and Bulletin podcast—your weekly news roundup of hunting, fishing, trapping, and conservation stories from around the Gem State.
This week, we’re talking about one Coeur d’Alene man’s sentence for illegally killing multiple big game animals, just what the heck that huge structure beneath the Lewiston-Clarkston Bridge is, early-season fishing at Hagerman WMA, and this year's kokanee outlook at Anderson Ranch Reservoir. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:00) 2026 Anderson Ranch Reservoir Kokanee Outlook
(00:04:13) Get your early-season fishing fix at Hagerman WMA
(00:06:15) Coeur d’Alene man sentenced for unlawful take of three white-tailed deer and an elk in North Idaho
(00:07:59) From River to Ocean: The Snake River Smolt Monitoring Program
(00:09:28) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ Wildlife Express: Learn about Idaho's wild canines▪️ Draw results are now available for spring turkey controlled hunts▪️ IDFG and USFS partner through Good Neighbor Authority to address windstorm damage in Lochsa River campgrounds
(00:11:12) QUESTION OF THE WEEK
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 106 - Restocking Deer Groceries, 10 Hatchery Facts, and Unit 4 Wolves

Welcome to Idaho Fish and Game’s Hook and Bulletin podcast—your weekly news roundup of hunting, fishing, trapping, and conservation stories from around the Gem State.
This week, we’re talking about migratory game bird season setting proposals, 10 cool facts about Idaho hatcheries, supporting elk recovery with targeted wolf management actions in Unit 4, and how you can give back to Idaho’s wild critters and wild places this spring. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:59) Dig this: Replanting sagebrush in the wake of wildfire is the perfect way to give back to Idaho’s wild critters and places🌾 Wanna volunteer? Email r3volunteers@idfg.idaho.gov to get on the list!
(00:03:22) Get to know F&G's hatcheries: Here are 10 cool facts about where many of your fish come from
(00:06:45) Public comment for 2026-27 migratory game bird season proposals now open🦆 See 2026-2027 migratory game bird season setting proposals here
(00:08:33) Fish and Game completes targeted wolf management actions in Unit 4 to support elk recovery
(00:11:19) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ Draw results available for spring black bear controlled hunts▪️ Statewide trout stocking highlights for March 2026
 
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 105 - Kootenai Leopards, Flying Sheep, and Second NR Tag Drawing

Welcome to Idaho Fish and Game’s Hook and Bulletin podcast—your weekly news roundup of hunting, fishing, trapping, and conservation stories from around the Gem State.
This week, we’re talking about Kootenai leopards, a couple wildlife crime convictions up in North Idaho, draw results from the second nonresident tag drawing, and flying California bighorn sheep into the Jacks Creek Wilderness. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:59) WATCH: See bighorn sheep released into Idaho's Owyhee canyonlands
(00:04:18) Burbot — the Kootenai River leopard — is the perfect way to cure cabin fever
(00:08:52) Poaching incident at Orofino Elementary School results in conviction
(00:10:53) Saint Maries man sentenced for unlawful take of seven white-tailed deer in North Idaho
(00:13:09) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ Now Available: Draw results for second nonresident tag drawing▪️ Early stocking of trout in Fernan and Cocolalla lakes in the Panhandle Region▪️ Bighorn sheep monitoring underway along Snake and Salmon Rivers
 
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 104 - Large Tracts Sell-Off, Coyote Breeding Season, and Deadwater Ice Jam

Welcome to Idaho Fish and Game’s Hook and Bulletin podcast—your weekly news roundup of hunting, fishing, trapping, and conservation stories from around the Gem State.
This week, we’re talking about three separate deer poaching incidents in southwest Idaho, spring/summer chinook season proposals, why you should keep your eyes peeled for coyotes this time of year, and a recent land sale that will remove just shy of 13,000 acres from the Large Tracts Program. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:32) 12,750 acres removed from Large Tracts Program after additional sale between Stimson Lumber Company and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe
(00:04:03) Homeowners and recreationists: Be vigilant during coyote mating and denning seasons
(00:07:25) F&G officers investigating three separate incidents of deer being shot, left to waste in southwest Idaho
(00:09:16) Mule deer lethally removed from captive elk facility will be donated to local food banks
(00:11:27) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ Provide comments on spring/summer Chinook fishing season proposals▪️ Deadwater ice jam in Salmon Region is out▪️ Fish and Game, Canyon County Parks seeking a volunteer camp host at Martin Landing
 
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 103 - Tex Creek Expansion, Cougar on Campus, and Another Record Fish

Welcome to Idaho Fish and Game’s Hook and Bulletin podcast—your weekly news roundup of hunting, fishing, trapping, and conservation stories from around the Gem State.
This week, we’re talking about spring/summer Chinook open houses, the second application period for nonresident general season deer/elk tags, a new property acquisition expands Tex Creek WMA by 280 acres, and how one Henrys Lake angler hoisted a 19-inch trout out of the ice and into the record books. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:01) Henrys Lake angler hoists new state record trout out of ice
(00:04:05) F&G to host spring/summer Chinook salmon public meetings in February
(00:05:55) New property acquisition expands Tex Creek WMA by 280 acres
(00:08:08) Mountain lion euthanized following Lewiston sighting
(00:09:31) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ Second application period for nonresident general season deer/elk tags is Feb. 5-15▪️ Timber harvest planned to improve wildlife habitat and forest health at Farragut WMA▪️ Public invited to free screening of Outdoor Idaho’s “Doing Good in the Great Outdoors” Feb. 10 in Pocatello
 
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 102 - New Idaho Record Rainbow, Coyotes, and North Idaho Elk Collaring

Welcome to Idaho Fish and Game’s Hook and Bulletin podcast—your weekly news roundup of hunting, fishing, trapping, and conservation stories from around the Gem State.
This week, we’re talking about spring turkey controlled hunts, North Idaho elk management, coyotes, and a new state record rainbow trout out of Dworshak Reservoir. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:00) Fruitland angler catches new state record rainbow trout at Dworshak Reservoir
(00:02:17) Fish and Game to capture and GPS-collar elk calves to support long-term elk management in North Idaho
(00:05:34) Fish and Game advise area residents to use caution after group of coyotes fatally attack a dog in Sun Valley
(00:08:12) Idaho Fish and Game seeking members for working group to help develop angling regulations for the Big Wood River trout fishery
(00:10:36) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ Applications for spring turkey controlled hunts open Feb. 1▪️ Ice fishing in the Salmon Region is heating up, kids ice fishing derby scheduled for Feb. 7▪️ Craig Mountain fuels reduction project begins
 
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.