Idaho Fish and Game Panhandle Region

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Idaho Fish and Game Panhandle Region

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Welcome to the official Idaho Fish and Game Panhandle Region page. You, the citizens, are an instrumental part in catching poachers!

If you are looking for more information about Idaho Fish and Game, please visit http://idfg.idaho.gov

If you would like to report a hunting or fishing violation or if you have a tip on a recent incident, you can call the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at 1-800-632-5999. Terms and Conditions of Use: https://idfg.idaho.gov/terms

22/10/2026

As of this afternoon, October 22, 2026, the full functionality of the Idaho Fish and Game website has been replaced with a minimal, static webpage. This decision was made as a proactive measure to minimize the risk of a potential security vulnerability.

The website still provides critical information for hunters and anglers, including seasons and rules brochures, public comment opportunities, access to our licensing website, hunter education opportunities, and IDFG contact information.

If you cannot locate information or features on the IDFG website that are critical for you, please contact any of our IDFG offices, and we would be happy to help.

Thank you for your patience as we work to ensure the IDFG website remains safe, stable, and reliable. To receive up-to-date information on the status of the website, follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Threads.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/

𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐮𝐬

• 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 2885 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d'Alene, (208) 769-1414
• 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 3316 16th St., Lewiston, (208) 799-5010
• 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 𝐌𝐜𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥: 555 Deinhard Lane, McCall, (208) 634-8137
• 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚: 15950 N. Gate Blvd, Nampa, (208) 465-8465
• 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 324 South 417 East - Suite 1, Jerome, (208) 324-4359
• 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 1345 Barton Road, Pocatello, (208) 232-4703
• 𝐔𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 4279 Commerce Circle, Idaho Falls, (208) 525-7290
• 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 99 Hwy. 93 N., Salmon, (208) 756-2271
• 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 600 S. Walnut Street, Boise, (208) 334-3700

23/09/2026

Here's a reminder that the North Idaho Bear Fair is this Saturday, Sept. 26 from 12-3 p.m. at the Boundary County Fairgrounds. Free food, raffle prizes and free bear spray for those who complete the training! We hope to see you there.

Link to the full story is in the comments.

16/09/2026

132 acres at Farragut WMA just got better for wildlife. Here's the idea.

A crowded forest isn't great for wildlife. When the canopy closes up, almost no light reaches the ground, and the shrubs and other small plants that wildlife actually eat can't grow. You end up with a lot of trees and very little food.

Thinning opens that canopy back up. Within a couple of growing seasons, browse for big game comes back on the forest floor. Grouse get the brushy structure they nest and brood in. Songbirds and woodpeckers get the larger, healthier trees and standing snags we left behind on purpose.

We also built shaded fuel breaks: strips where the small trees and low branches come out so fire can't climb into the canopy, while the large trees stay to shade the ground.

This is the first phase of a long-term plan for Farragut. If you hunt or hike out here, you'll notice more open ground and thinned canopy.

14/09/2026

The North Idaho Bear Fair is on the books for 2026: 12-3 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the Boundary County Fairgrounds. Hope to see you there! Details below.

If you live in north Idaho, you live in bear country. Plain and simple.

Black bears range across the entire Panhandle, and Bonner and Boundary counties sit squarely in grizzly country. Fall is the hardest season to share with them, as bears are packing on calories ahead of winter. Oftentimes, apple trees, garbage cans, chicken coops, beehives and livestock that make up a north Idaho fall are exactly what they are looking for.

To help residents get ready, Idaho Fish and Game and its partners are hosting the free North Idaho Bear Fair from 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Boundary County Fairgrounds, 6567 Recreation Park Road, Bonners Ferry.

No registration is required, and the event is open to all ages. Food will be served while supplies last, and attendees can enter to win door prizes.

Stop a charging grizzly
The centerpiece of the event is Fish and Game's remote-controlled charging grizzly bear. Participants can experience the reality of a bear running straight at them so they can practice drawing and firing an inert canister of bear spray under real pressure. Owning bear spray and knowing how to use it are two different things, and three seconds is not enough time to read the instructions.
Everyone who completes the training will take home a free canister of bear spray, while supplies last.

What else you'll find
• Electric fencing demonstrations covering the basics of protecting chicken coops, beehives, gardens, orchards, livestock and other attractants on your property.
• Fish and Game's livestock carcass pickup program: how it works and how to use it to get a powerful bear attractant off your land.
• Camping in bear country: food storage, camp setup and what to do if a bear comes into camp.
• A community c***r press: bring your own apples and containers and go home with fresh c***r. Unpicked and fallen fruit is one of the most common things that pulls bears into north Idaho yards, so this one does double duty.
• Staff from Fish and Game and every partner agency on-hand to answer questions about your specific property, neighborhood or hunting spot.

Morgan Pfander, Fish and Game Grizzly Bear Biologist in the Panhandle said of the event, “The North Idaho Bear Fair is a great opportunity for long-time residents, newcomers and visitors to refresh their bear spray skills, learn about available resources and put their extra apples and pears to good use. We’re looking forward to another strong turnout this year!”.

For more information
The North Idaho Bear Fair is a partnership among Idaho Fish and Game, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Wildlife Services, the Idaho Governor's Office of Species Conservation and the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative.

03/09/2026

Here's your save the date for the 2026 North Idaho Bear Fair! Come join us for a day learning about bears and how to reduce the chances of encounters with them while in bear country.

Free hot dogs and hamburgers will be available while supplies last, and you can enter to win free prizes!

When: September 26 from 12-3 p.m.
Where: Boundary County Fairgrounds
What: Bear spray training, electric fencing booth, c***r press, livestock carcass pick-up program and much more.

31/07/2026

🚨Important deadlines for tag exchanges and to claim your controlled hunt tag.

𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟑𝟏: The new deadline to exchange general season deer and elk tags is July 31. No exchanges will be processed after that date. This includes exchanging a general season deer or elk tag for controlled hunt tags, Landowner Appreciation Program tags, Extra tags, and Unlimited tags.

𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏: The deadline to claim a deer or elk controlled hunt tag is August 1, and all tags not claimed by that date will be forfeited. If you are exchanging a regular season tag for a controlled hunt tag, you must still meet the July 31 exchange deadline.

💻 Purchase online: GoOutdoorsIdaho.com
📞 Call: (800) 554-8685
📍 Fish and Game office (closed Saturday): https://idfg.idaho.gov/offices
📍 License vendor: https://idfg.idaho.gov/vendor-locator

30/06/2026

All Idaho Fish and Game offices will be closed Thursday, July 2, through Monday, July 6, in observance of America250, and will reopen on Tuesday, July 7.

Even though our offices are closed, conservation officers remain on duty.

𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞, 𝐭𝐚𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭?
💻 Online: https://idfg.idaho.gov/buy_online
🎣 E-tagging: GoOutdoorsIdaho.com
📍 Find a license vendor: https://idfg.idaho.gov/vendor-locator

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞
💻 Report online: https://idfg.idaho.gov/tipline
📞 Call: 800-632-5999

17/06/2026

On May 11, the final sentencing was issued for one of three individuals involved in the unlawful killing of seven mature white-tailed deer bucks in North Idaho during November 2024.

The individuals involved in the case were Will Clark, Lucas Mitchell and Laura Willis.

Sentencing for Mitchell (Feb. 2026) included:
• $17,200 in restitution (jointly shared among three individuals)
• $525 in processing fees (shared with Clark)
• All associated court costs
• Seven months in county jail
• Five years of supervised probation
• Ten-year hunting license revocation

Sentencing for Clark (April 2026) included:
• $17,200 in restitution (jointly shared among three individuals)
• $525 in processing fees (shared with Mitchell)
• All associated court costs
• Zero to four years in prison—currently incarcerated
• Ten-year hunting license revocation

Sentencing for Willis (May 2026) included:
• $6,000 in restitution (jointly shared among three individuals)
• $150 in processing fees
• All associated court costs
• $200 fine
• One year of unsupervised probation
• One-year hunting license revocation

Details of the case

Clark and Mitchell were originally charged on June 27 with eight felony counts related to the unlawful killing of the deer. The investigation, conducted by conservation officers in the Panhandle Region, documented 56 wildlife violations.

All seven deer were illegally killed in November 2024. Five of the deer were taken within a single 24-hour period, and three of the bucks met Idaho’s legal definition of a “trophy” white-tailed deer, which carries enhanced civil penalties under state law.

All seven deer were taken outside of legal shooting hours, and meat from three of the animals was left to waste.

Willis later pleaded guilty to charges related to tag transfer and unlawful possession of big game.

We thank the public for remaining vigilant in reporting potential wildlife crimes through the Citizens Against Poaching hotline. Public involvement plays a critical role in ensuring Idaho’s fish and wildlife exists for future generations.

We also thanks the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office for reviewing the case and pursuing charges consistent with the violations.

Anyone who observes or has information about a wildlife crime is encouraged to call the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at 1-800-632-5999 or submit a report online.

Monetary rewards may be available for individuals who provide credible, detailed information that significantly aids in identifying suspects and leads to charges being filed.

Information about potential wildlife crimes can also be reported to the Panhandle Regional Office at (208) 769-1414.

05/06/2026

Students will soon be released from school, and rainbow trout are being released in waters all over the Panhandle in June! Over 11,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) rainbow trout will be stocked in the Panhandle Region in June.

Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates may change due to weather or staffing constraints.

For maps of these fishing locations and other angling destinations in Idaho please visit the Idaho Fish Planner.

Many of the waters highlighted above are easy to access, family-friendly fishing destinations. All you need to get started is a fishing license and some basic tackle. Annual adult fishing licenses cost around $30, junior licenses (ages 14-17) cost $16, and youth under 14 fish for free.

Fishing for stocked rainbow trout, particularly in community ponds, is a great way to introduce new anglers to the sport by using simple (and relatively thrifty) set-ups like worm/marshmallow combinations or commercial baits like Power Bait or Crave, either near the bottom or below a bobber. The Learn to Fish webpage offers diagrams for basic bait rigs.

Most Idaho waters are open to fishing year-round, but some may have slightly different rules. Be sure to pick up a 2025-27 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules booklet, which outlines season dates, special regulations and bag limits at any Idaho Fish and Game offices or most sporting goods stores statewide.

29/05/2026

Kids will soon be out of school here in the Panhandle, and there are lots of opportunities to get them signed up for hunter education classes so they're ready to hunt this fall. Classes typically fill quickly, so get signed up while there are still spots open.

Hunter/Bowhunter Education (classes are multiple days, day listed below is only the first day of class):
-->June 2 - Idaho Guns & Outdoors, Athol - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/237667
-->June 16 - Farragut Shooting Range, Athol - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/239268
-->June 22 - Leo Hadley Range, Sandpoint - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/239797
-->June 29 - IDFG Regional Office, Coeur d'Alene - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/242634

-->July 14 - Farragut Shooting Range, Athol - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/239270
-->July 28 - IDFG Regional Office, Coeur d'Alene - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/242635
-->July 31 - Priest River Community Church , Priest River - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/244630

-->August 4 - Idaho Guns & Outdoors, Athol - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/244635
-->August 11 - IDFG Regional Office, Coeur d'Alene - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/242636
-->August 24 - Leo Hadley Range, Sandpoint - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/239800

Other classes:
-->June 6 - Youth Flyfishing Clinic - Waterlife Discovery Center, Sagle - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/242619
-->June 10 - Hunting & Shooting Skills Field Day (prerequisite of Hunter Education completion) - Farragut Shooting Range, Athol - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/243579
-->July 22 - Hunting & Shooting Skills Field Day (prerequisite of Hunter Education completion) - Farragut Shooting Range, Athol - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/243580

Trapper & Wolf Trapper Education:
-->June 12 - Wolf Trapper Education - IDFG Regional Office, Coeur d'Alene - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/238235
-->Classes for the remainder of 2026 will be posted soon. Check back in the coming weeks.

Address

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

(208) 769-1414

Website

https://idfg.idaho.gov/region/panhandle

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