Hook & Bulletin

Ep. 115 - Memorial Day Fishing Guide, Monarch Survey, and Grizzly Shot in Self Defense

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 a Chinook salmon closure, a hunter in East Idaho shoots a grizzly bear in self-defense, what to do when you catch a tagged fish, and a few pointers to help find the perfect backcountry creekside fishing camp. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:57) Ain’t No Mountain (Stream) High Enough: A guide to finding the perfect backcountry creekside fishing camp
(00:11:14) Hunter shoots charging grizzly bear in defense of life near Cave Falls Road
(00:12:41) Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation honors IDFG biologist Hollie Miyasaki for Outstanding Achievement in Bighorn Sheep Conservation
(00:14:33) Catch a tagged fish? Report it and help shape fisheries management in Idaho
(00:17:13) Become a community scientist and help F&G monitor monarch butterflies this summer
(00:19:35) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ Riverence Lost River Brood donates over 3,000 super-sized trout for anglers▪️ These instructor-led hunter education courses are coming up in Southwest Idaho▪️ Portion of mainstem Clearwater River closed for Chinook salmon fishing; adult bag and possession limits reduced
 
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 114 - Big Willow Elk, Grizzly Research, and Life As a Steelhead

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 $280,000 earmarked for improving Idaho’s public shooting ranges, controlled hunt results for moose, sheep, and goat, why being a steelhead ain’t easy, and moving 34 elk up to the Panhandle Region. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:57) Fish and Game staff move 34 elk from Big Willow drainage in Southwest Idaho to the Panhandle
(00:04:27) F&G Commission approves $280K to improve over a dozen of Idaho’s shooting ranges
(00:05:52) Being a Steelhead Isn’t Easy
(00:08:12) F&G begins annual grizzly bear research trapping in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest
(00:10:00) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ Now available: Controlled hunt drawing results for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat▪️ ICYMI: Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting May 7▪️ Gates to open two weeks early for motorized vehicles at Portneuf Wildlife Management Area
 
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 113 - Winchester Dam, Wildlife Babies, and a State Record Burbot

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 controlled hunt applications, taking advantage of Fish and Game’s numerous boating access sites, a new state catch-and-release record for one lucky burbot angler in North Idaho, and baby wildlife season. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:57) Despite good intentions, 'rescuing' baby wildlife can lead to bad outcomes
(00:04:46) F&G provides hundreds of boating access sites and asks people to use them responsibly
(00:07:54) New state record burbot hoisted out of Kootenai River
(00:10:15) F&G seeks grants to repair Winchester Dam
(00:11:49) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ Controlled hunt application period for deer, elk, pronghorn, swan, and fall black bear and turkey▪️ Youth Outdoor Skills Day event set for May 9 at Beaver Dick Park
 
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 112 - 2025 Hunter Harvest Report, How to E-Tag, and Farragut Elk Investigation

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 e-tagging salmon and steelhead, some early-season fishing opportunities coming to Southwest Idaho ponds, a poaching case coming out of Farragut State Park, and a deep dive into last year’s deer and elk harvest. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:56) 2025 Hunter Harvest Report
(00:13:03) E-Tagging: A better way to track your catch in Idaho
(00:14:43) New early-season fishing opportunities coming to ponds in Council, McCall, New Meadows, and Cascade
(00:16:10) Fish and Game seeks information on two elk illegally killed in Farragut State Park
(00:17:32) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ F&G reminds public how simple steps can keep you safe in bear country▪️ Senior Conservation Officer Jim Stirling honored as Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year▪️ Fish and Game to host Lake Pend Oreille ‘State of the Lake’ open house April 22▪️ Southeast Region to host hunter education open house for volunteer instructors in April
 
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 111 - Targeting Big Bass, Fisher Comeback Story, and New Osprey Cam

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 a fisher reintroduction project in the Panhandle, why this time of year is the best time to go after fat bass, ground-based cameras showing promise for measuring mule deer fawn ratios, and Fish and Game's brand-new live osprey cam. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:03) Check out Fish and Game’s new 24/7 osprey webcam in Salmon
(00:03:01) Bringing fishers home to the Panhandle Region
(00:05:48) The opportunity to fish for some of the state’s biggest bass is now
(00:16:08) Ground-based cameras show promise for measuring mule deer fawn ratios in certain areas of Idaho
(00:21:11) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ F&G to host hybrid public meeting for negotiated rulemaking on April 15▪️ Wildlife underpass project on US-30 to begin near Montpelier in April▪️ 8,600 acres in North Idaho removed from Large Tracts Program by private landowners
(00:23:23) QUESTION OF THE WEEK
"Is it legal to shoot from or across a road that is under a seasonal closure to motorized vehicles?"
 
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 110 - Boise River WMA Back Open, Spring Chinook, and Walleye Update

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 Chinook seasons, a prescribed burn at Market Lake WMA, some upcoming hunter and bowhunter ed courses popping up in Buhl, and a walleye update coming out of the Magic Valley Region. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:52) Walleye fishery update in the Magic Valley Region
(00:03:51) Fish and Game lifts Boise River WMA closure on April 1
(00:05:02) Spring Chinook fishing set to open April 25
(00:07:23) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN
▪️ Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat controlled hunt application period opens April 1▪️ Prescribed burn occurring at Market Lake to improve waterfowl habitat▪️ Hunter and bowhunter education combination course offered in Buhl
 
📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.
🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

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.