Idaho Fish and Game Southwest Region

𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀: 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻

We continue to receive reports of black bears around homes, businesses, and public areas across the region. Many of the reports involve black bears finding easy sources of food, including unsecured residential garbage, residential garbage containers, business and community dumpsters, stored pet food, and bird feeders (seed and liquid).

To keep bears from becoming habituated to urban environments, it is everyone’s responsibility to keep all attractants (e.g., human sources of food, pet food, bird seed, or ripe and fallen fruit) secured, picked up, and out of reach for bears.

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀

Biologists are urging residents to report any bear activity around homes and neighborhoods, especially if a bear is getting access to food rewards.

Early reporting allows IDFG to work with residents to proactively haze bears away from homes, reducing the chances of a bear becoming food-conditioned.

Report bears in or around residential areas to the Southwest Regional Office at (208) 465-8465.

If a bear is displaying aggressive or threatening behavior, call 911 to report it to your local county sheriff.

Ready to gear up for big game rifle season? We offer several Hunter Education course formats designed to fit your schedule before opening day—including our popular Pre-Study options.

Our Pre-Study courses combine independent learning at home with a 1- or 2-day in-person session (5 to 8 total hours in class). You’ll review the materials on your own time, then join our expert volunteer instructors for dynamic, hands-on instruction and skills practice.

Spots fill quickly ahead of the season—check our schedule and register today!

Sept. 19th (Kuna) Hunter & Bowhunter certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247553
Sept. 19th (Middleton) Hunter & Bowhunter certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247629
Sept. 26th (Nampa) Hunter & Bowhunter certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247810
Sept. 26th (Meridian) Hunter & Bowhunter certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247713
Oct. 24th (Nampa) Wolf Trapper Certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247107
Nov. 21st (Kuna) Trapper Certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247658
Nov. 22nd (Kuna) Trapper Certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247660

A huge thank you to our amazing 2026 Hunter Education Volunteer Conference donors!

Thanks to your generosity, we’re able to recognize and celebrate the incredible volunteers who make our hunter education courses possible. Day in and day out, these instructors give their time, passion, and expertise to mentor the next generation—teaching them what it truly means to be safe, ethical, and responsible outdoors.

We couldn't do it without our donors or our volunteers. Thank you for supporting our mission and our community! Slayer Calls Scheels 's G***K

Are you interested in sponsoring next year's conference?
Contact [email protected]

Would you like to volunteer to teach Hunter Education program courses?
Find out more information using this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfl6P-yXz7GtoE0QDh2EA3HpyCR6CM9942aqHcJ1E4I7Ckq7Q/viewform?usp=header

Two large wildfires have burned through some of Southwest Idaho's most popular hunting units this summer, and with some early seasons opening Saturday, Aug. 15, hunters have questions. Read this article to find out what the Big Grass and Tartar fires currently mean for hunting seasons, access, and wildlife in the region, how IDFG is responding, and how you can help.

If you’re a hunter simply looking for the Cliff’s Notes, here they are:

▪No hunting seasons have changed to date. Fires rarely close entire hunting units, and fire restrictions rarely last through a whole season.

▪However, access closures are in effect for both the Big Grass Fire and Tartar Fire as of Aug. 14, conditions on the ground are rough, and the situation is still fluid.

▪If there’s one tip we can provide before seasons kick off, it’s that hunters should check official sources for access closures and current fire information before every trip, especially in early-season hunts.

What the Big Grass and Tartar fires mean for hunting in Southwest Idaho Two large wildfires have burned through some of Southwest Idaho's most popular hunting units this summer, and with the first seasons opening Saturday, Aug. 15, hunters have questions. Here’s what the Big Grass and Tartar fires currently mean for hunting seasons, access, and wildlife in the region,...

To protect sturgeon amid abnormally low dissolved oxygen levels and high water temperatures in a portion of CJ Strike Reservoir, Idaho Fish and Game Director Jim Fredericks on July 31 signed a conservation closure order for sturgeon fishing in the portion of the Snake River arm between Canyon Creek and Rattlesnake Creek, effective Aug. 2 until Sept. 25, 2026.

Idaho Fish and Game will be posting signs at access points on the Snake River arm of CJ Strike Reservoir to notify anglers of the closure and working closely with Idaho Power Company to monitor water conditions in the closure area on a weekly basis.

The purpose of this closure is to minimize additional stress and mortality while these conditions in the reservoir exist. In recent weeks, Fish and Game has verified 16 dead sturgeon found within the closure area, ranging in size between 5 and 9 feet. It is the second mortality event of this magnitude in four years. Prior to the last one in 2022, it was unprecedented. Biologists’ concerns for this population have escalated since then.

This sturgeon population, Idaho’s second largest, has shrunk by 15% since 2022. In recent years, natural reproduction has been inconsistent at best, and at worst, nonexistent.

Add that to the fact that these fish take nearly a lifetime to replace — between 50 and 70 years to reach a length of around 9 feet — the closure of this portion of the sturgeon fishery was necessary to conserve a resource treasured by Idaho anglers.

With current conditions closely mirroring those seen in 2022 – namely, water temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels within this segment of the reservoir that are near or at levels lethal to white sturgeon without additional stressors – fishery managers are hoping this year’s temporary closure might help achieve a similar outcome.

Read more:

F&G director issues conservation closure for sturgeon fishing on portion of CJ Strike Reservoir To protect sturgeon amid abnormally low dissolved oxygen levels and high water temperatures in a portion of CJ Strike Reservoir, Idaho Fish and Game Director Jim Fredericks on July 31 signed a conservation closure order for sturgeon fishing in the portion of the Snake River arm between Canyon Creek....

Master the outdoors with our Hunting & Shooting Skills Program, featuring comprehensive courses in hunting, trapping, and shooting. Stay tuned as new courses are released regularly.

Beginning Firearm Safety Training & Shooting:
This course is designed for the Hunter Education graduate to refresh & enhance the firearm skills learned during the Hunter Education course. It is a beginning level fi****ms safety course with live fire training that will also benefit the non-Hunter.

(Saturday, August 22, 2026) https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/245436

Fish and Game’s Southwest Region has closed access to the Boise River WMA due to the Claremont Fire, in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management’s temporary closures of BLM-managed public lands and trails within the Boise Foothills. Fish and Game staff have closed all gated access points to the WMA.

The closures are necessary to ensure public safety and the safety of firefighters working to suppress the Claremont Fire. Boise River WMA will remain closed until the BLM’s closure is lifted.

For the most up-to-date information on the Claremont Fire, visit USWFS Idaho -Great Basin.

F&G closes access to Boise River WMA due to Claremont Fire Fish and Game’s Southwest Region has closed access to the Boise River WMA due to the Claremont Fire, in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management’s temporary closures of BLM-managed public lands and trails within the Boise Foothills. Fish and Game staff have closed all gated access points ...

The German Shorthaired Pointer Club is sponsoring a four-day Hunter Ed course by covering the cost of your student fee! In addition, students will be invited to their Fun Shoot at the end of August.

This Hunter Education course will conduct an optional live fire at Black's Creek Range on the fourth day of class; attendance on this day is required for the other certification activities (.22 cal fi****ms, ammo, ears provied by IDFG).

Contact GSP Club of Idaho to register:
208-477-8469
[email protected]

A total of eight instructor-led courses with open seats are slated to start in the next couple months across several program types, including courses for Hunter & Bowhunter Combo Certification and Trapper Certification. There are also some unique Hunting & Shooting Sports Courses being offered, including a brand-new Beginner Pistol Reloading course.

Here is a list of upcoming courses and scheduled start-dates. See the May 19, 2026 press release for more information: https://idfg.idaho.gov/article/these-instructor-led-hunter-education-courses-are-coming-southwest-idaho-3

Hunter & Bowhunter Combo Certification Courses
June 1 – Fruitland
June 2 – New Plymouth
June 15 – Middleton
July 23 - Kuna: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/244674

Trapper Certification Courses
May 30 – Nampa
July 11 - Weiser: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/244660

Hunting & Shooting Sports Courses
May 24 – Kuna – Introduction to Wingshooting
May 30 – Boise – Pre-Hunter Education Firearm Safety Basics
June 13 – Boise – Pre-Hunter Education Firearm Safety Basics
June 17 – Nampa – Beginning Pistol Reloading
June 28 – Kuna – Introduction to Wingshooting

These instructor-led hunter education courses are coming up in Southwest Idaho A total of eight instructor-led courses with open seats are slated to start in the next couple of months across several program types, including courses for Hunter & Bowhunter Combo Certification and Trapper Certification. There are also some unique Hunting & Shooting Sports Courses being offered, i...