Hook & Bulletin

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 133 - Low Steelhead Returns, Shooting a Fake Moose, and Fall Fishing Guide Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

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 fall fishing, proposed rules for electronic tagging and CWD management, why that may not be the trophy bull you think it is, and an update on this year's steelhead fishery. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:15) IDFG closes steelhead harvest in the Clearwater River basin due to low returns

(00:02:53) What will steelhead fishing look like on the Boise River this fall?

(00:06:59) Bear River produces new Idaho catch-and-release state record brown trout

(00:09:07) Late fall and winter can be productive for stream fishing

(00:13:54) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN

▪️ Careful…that may not be the trophy bull you think it is
▪️ IDFG seeks public comment on proposed rules for electronic tagging, CWD management
▪️ Volunteer opportunities for upcoming sagebrush and bitterbrush plantings in the Magic Valley Region

📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin.

🔗 Official Idaho Fish and Game Website

Ep. 132- Record Bullhead, Middle Fork Salmon, and How the Big Grass Fire Could Impact Your Hunt Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

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 new state record bullhead catfish, waterfowl hunting at Winchester Lake, how the Big Grass Fire might affect mule deer and elk hunting, and Idaho’s iconic Middle Fork Salmon River and its namesake fish. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:00) Life, Death, and Data: The story of a salmon run in the Middle Fork Salmon River basin

(00:04:58) How has the Big Grass Fire affected mule deer and elk?

(00:09:33) Lake Cascade angler sets new catch-and-release state record for bullhead catfish

(00:10:53) New In 2026: Pheasant season opens Oct. 15 statewide

(00:12:19) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN

▪️ Hunters must sign up in advance for Winchester Lake waterfowl hunting
▪️ IDFG seeks public comment on proposed rules for electronic tagging, CWD management
▪️ Upcoming trapper and wolf trapper education courses in Salmon

📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin.

🔗 Official Idaho Fish and Game Website

Ep. 131 - Bear Attack, Black Pheasants, and 10 Backcountry Survival Tips Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

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 where to hunt for black pheasants, 10 survival tips to keep in the back pocket this big game hunting season, how to target walleye on Lake Pend Oreille, and a black bear attack in Salmon. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:16) Two Salmon residents attacked by a juvenile black bear on Oct. 2

(00:04:45) 10 survival tips to keep in the back pocket this big game hunting season

(00:10:12) 10 tips for firearm handling safety while out hunting this fall

(00:15:54) Fall walleye are on the move in Lake Pend Oreille, and here’s where to find them
🗺️ Interactive Walleye Map
💰 LPO Angler Incentive Program
📺 2026 Lake Pend Oreille "State of the Lake" Presentation
🐟 Idaho Fishing Planner

(00:20:37) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN

▪️ Hunters will see something new in the air this fall at Sterling WMA in southeast Idaho
▪️ Remember to allow up to 10 business days delivery time when ordering tags online

📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin.

🔗 More information

Ep. 130 - Hunting Technology, Poaching Cases, and Three Fish You've Never Heard Of Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

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 new state record fish you’ve probably never heard of, a bull elk harvested unlawfully in Unit 31, cheatgrass treatment coming up on the Boise River WMA, and technology rule changes. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:59) Idaho hunters: Know the new technology rules before heading into the field

(00:03:50) Idaho anglers set three state records for fish you never heard of

(00:08:50) Portion of Boise River WMA to close for invasive grass treatment

(00:09:47) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN (Poaching Edition)

▪️ Conservation officers seeking information about a bull elk harvested unlawfully in Unit 31
▪️ Idaho Fish and Game investigating illegal killing and waste of bull elk in Bingham County
▪️ Citizens asked to provide information on wasted moose near Elk River

📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin.

🔗 More information

Ep. 129 - Increases In Urban Bear Encounters, Upland Bird Forecast, and North Idaho Bear Fair Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

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 how this year’s upland game bird hunting season will look, North Idaho Bear Fair returns to Boundary County, working with landowners to reduce big game depredations in the Magic Valley, and why bears are showing up in places they don’t normally go. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:10) Why are there so many bears showing up in neighborhoods?

(00:12:45) How will upland game bird hunting seasons be this year?

(00:14:56) Waterfowl season for youth and veterans/active military personnel

(00:16:50) North Idaho Bear Fair returns Sept. 26

(00:19:26) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN

▪️ Register now for upcoming instructor-led hunter education class in Rupert
▪️ Working with landowners to reduce big game depredations in the Magic Valley

📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin.

🔗 More information

Ep. 128 - 2026 Deer & Elk Hunting Outlook (Bonus Episode) Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

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. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.

Here is everything deer and elk hunters want to and should know heading into fall. Read the full 2026 Deer and Elk Hunting Outlook on our website.

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:36) Overview of 2026 Hunting Season
(00:04:26) Last Season's Harvest
(00:06:31) Elk Hunting
(00:09:16) Mule Deer Hunting
(00:12:10) White-tailed Deer Hunting
(00:15:34) Wildfire Information
(00:17:23) Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Important Information
(00:20:18) Mandatory Hunter Reports

RESOURCES:

📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin at podcast@idfg.idaho.gov.

🔗 For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov.

Ep. 127 - Rocky Point Underpass, Important CWD Information, and New Access in Unit 57 Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

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 the Southeast Region's "Nature Talks" series, a new wildlife underpass nears completion, a black bear gets relocated from a Pocatello neighborhood, and what every hunter needs to know about CWD heading into this fall. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:57) What hunters need to know about CWD requirements for 2026

(00:05:45) New access easement opens route to public lands in Kelsaw Canyon

(00:07:25) IDFG removes young black bear from a Pocatello neighborhood

(00:09:19) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN

▪️ Edson Fichter Nature Talks returning to Pocatello in September
▪️ Rocky Point wildlife underpasses near completion, promising safer drive on US-30

📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin.

🔗 More information

Ep. 126 - Blind Hunter Bags Bear, Seven Devils Butterflies, and New Record Lake Trout Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

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 two mule deer shot and left to waste in Unit 66, invasive grass suppression in the Magic Valley Region, another state record lake trout coming out of Payette Lake, and a legally blind Kendrick hunter gets back into the field to hunt thanks to innovations in hunting technology. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:59) Kendrick hunter overcomes limited vision to return to the field

(00:06:33) Seven Devils butterfly count provides valuable data for conservation
🦋 Join Idaho's Master Naturalist Program

(00:09:05) Payette Lake produces new state catch-and-release lake trout — yes, again

(00:11:47) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN

▪️ Conservation officers seeking information on mule deer does shot and left to waste in the Fall Creek drainage
▪️ Low-level aerial spraying flights to occur in the Magic Valley Region beginning Sept. 1

📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin.

🔗 More information

Ep. 125 - Are Wildfires Impacting Your Hunt?, Fall Chinook Season, and Big Win for Access Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

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 huge win for hunting and fishing access, a cow elk shot and wasted in Unit 11A, and everything hunters should know about wildfires and their impacts to hunts as we gear up for big game hunting season. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:08) Fire and Fall Hunting: What Idaho hunters need to know

(00:05:27) What the Big Grass and Tartar fires mean for hunting in Southwest Idaho

(00:11:40) IDFG receives $1.65M grant to increase hunting/angling public access

(00:14:03) 2026 Fall Chinook Season Opener: What anglers need to know

(00:20:20) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN

▪️ IDFG seeks information regarding cow elk shot and wasted in Unit 11A
▪️ Deadline for 2027 Art Contest

WILDFIRE RESOURCES 🔥⚠️

Idaho Wildfire Map
Big Grass Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orvad-big-grass-fire
Tartar Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbod-tartar
BLM Idaho closures: https://www.blm.gov/idaho/advisories-and-closures
Payette National Forest Alerts: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/payette/alerts
BLM Idaho Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMIdaho/
USWFS Idaho Great Basin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USWFSGreatBasinIdaho
IDFG fire resources: https://idfg.idaho.gov/fire
Questions about hunting seasons and wildlife in the Southwest Region?
- Nampa: (208) 465-8465
- McCall: (208) 634-8137

📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin.

🔗 More information

Ep. 124 - Dialing In Your Bow/Rifle, Hunter Feedback Needed, and Improving Access Sites Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

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 how you can enjoy Idaho’s boating access sites, why we need your input on a few hunting options in the Southwest and Upper Snake regions, how you and your local shooting range can receive some grant funding, and how to dial in your bow or firearm. Hosted by Fish and Game’s Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess.

IN THIS EPISODE

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:59) Hunters: As hunting season draws near, now is the perfect time to dial in your bow or firearm

(00:08:40) IDFG seeks hunter input on potential hunt options before 2027 season setting

(00:11:05) Here are 6 tips for keeping Idaho’s access sites running smoothly

(00:13:51) RAPID FIRE BULLETIN

▪️ Range grant application period is open; deadline is Nov. 2
▪️ Deadline for second big game controlled hunt drawing application is Aug. 15

📬 Submit a question for the Hook and Bulletin.

🔗 More information