News
At IWF, we work to provide timely and educational updates that give you the tools necessary to be an effective voice for the issues in conservation that matter to you. From policy updates to wildlife and habitat statistics to public access stories throughout Idaho, we want to build an outdoor community that can come together around common goals and shared passions.
Hunters and anglers applaud the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
The bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (HR 3742) was recently reintroduced and on the list of cosponsors is Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson. Time and time again, Simpson has proven himself to be a friend to Idaho hunters and...
Job Announcement: North Idaho Field Rep
Job Announcement Job Title: North Idaho Field Representative Reports to: Executive Director Compensation: $36,000 – $42,000, plus competitive health benefits, retirement savings, and vacation leave Classification: Full-time, Exempt...
Governor Appoints IWF to Salmon Workgroup
IWF is selected by the Governor to represent sportsmen on the newly formed Salmon and Steelhead Workgroup. For several years IWF has brought rural Idahoans to meet with former Governor Otter, (then) Lieutenant Governor Little, their staff, and...
IWF Supporter Demographics: By the Numbers
Three-fourths of IWF supporters are registered Republican or Independent and located outside Ada County. The Idaho Wildlife Federation recently cross-referenced publicly available information from the national voter registration database and...
Introducing IWF’s Illegal Access Obstruction Reward Program
IWF is offering a $500 reward for Idahoans who initiate the successful conviction of persons illegally communicating any public ground, road, trail, easement, or waterway is private or inaccessible. Our public lands define our western character...
Idaho Leaders: Salmon “Recovery” a Failure, Time For New Approach
“After spending $16 billion on salmon recovery over the last how many years, is it working?” Rep. Simpson asked a crowd of 400 representatives of guides, anglers, energy producers, food producers, port authorities, barge companies..
Sage Grouse in the Schools
During the cool, early morning hours in the sagebrush hills north of I-85, I scanned my eyes left and right across the dimly lit landscape to find what we were searching for. My car rolled slowly down the southern Idaho dirt road, wildlife...
Idaho Salmon and Steelhead Returns Collapsing
The spring Chinook fishing season is set. On March 13th, the Idaho Fish & Game Commission approved a two-day-a-week season on the Clearwater and a four-day-a-week season on the Salmon beginning April 22nd. There will be no season on the Upper...
Does your voice make a difference at the State House? Absolutely.
On January 24, 2017, a fire was lit in the hearts of public land supporters across the west. Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) had introduced HR621, a bill that sought to sell federal lands deemed “suitable for disposal” in states across the...
The “Poachers Club” and IWF: Pioneers of Idaho’s Conservation Movement
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game was originally established in 1903 by a few territorial laws, then as an official state agency governed by the legislature. The Department, led by the State Game Warden, was appointed by the Governor and was...
CWD Management Act Needed for Idaho’s Deer, Elk, Moose
The Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act (CWDMA) would offer $35 million yearly to support state efforts to manage and control chronic wasting disease (CWD). The introduced bipartisan legislation would allocate funds to priority states...
H162 Hits Major Roadblock: Public Sentiment
On a workday, hundreds of public land supporters wearing “Keep your hands off my public lands” stickers packed the statehouse in opposition of HB162. The bill would create a “Council on Federal Lands”, to be populated by...
Passage of HJM9 Urges Feds to Process Salmon and Steelhead Permit
Today, IWF submitted testimony in support of House Joint Memorial 9 to urge NOAA to complete the review and processing of Idaho’s Fisheries Management and Evaluation Plan. It passed through the Senate Resources Committee and is on its way to the...
S1089: Pro-Access, Pro-Public Land Bill Killed
The predominant opposition to S1089 concluded that many people seem to be violating current law, and its passage would bring judgement. No, really… Listen to audio of the hearing below. We made it pretty far with the only piece of...
Introducing Garret Visser: IWF’s Conservation Program Coordinator
As the Conservation Program Coordinator and newest staff member of IWF, Garret will work to elevate the voices of Idahoans concerned and impacted by declining salmon and steelhead returns. Garret grew up on the coast of South Carolina where the...
HB 110 Would Protect Poachers
Sponsored by Rep. Judy Boyle (R-Midvale), HB 162 would create an Idaho Council on Federal Lands. At first glance this seems like a harmless idea, maybe even a good idea. But inspecting the bill and it’s cost to taxpayers reveals some...
HB 162 Duplicates Existing Government Functions and You Will Fund It
Sponsored by Rep. Heather Scott (R-Blanchard), House Bill 110 would make poaching a whole lot easier to get away with. The bill eliminates a clause that gives IDFG Conservation Officers the ability to search a suspect for illegal animal harvest...
Support Public Enforcement of Public Access
Senate Bill 1089 will provide the public with legal recourse to hold anyone accountable for intentionally blocking access on public roads, public-use easements, and waterways, and communicating or indicating in any way that public land is private...