Summer 2026
Idaho Traditional Bowhunters
Idaho Traditional Bowhunters were prepared for their biggest shoot of the year—the Meadows Valley Traditional Rendezvous, but bad weather forced them to postpone the event. It has been rescheduled for July 17-19th so if you’re a traditional archer looking for a good time, hopefully you can make it there!
To learn more about the shoot and other events, check out the events page on their website.
The nATIONAL wILD tURKEY fEDERATION
The NWTF Gem State (Boise chapter) finished planting roughly 50 trees on Lucky Peak after the Valley Fire in 2024. Working with IDFG, we were able to get the trees in the ground and watered using specialized water boxes.
Youth Day is August 1 where we will be hosting kids and mentoring them in shooting, archery, fly casting and survival skills. To become involved, visit our website.
Idaho State Bowhunters
One of the largest archery shoots in Idaho and a cornerstone event for the state’s bowhunting community, Idaho State Bowhunters will once again host its annual Jamboree on July 17-19 at Thatcher Creek near Stanley.
The multi-day event brings archers together for a wide range of shoots, including 3D courses set in natural terrain, novelty shoots, and opportunities for archers of all ages and skill levels to participate. It’s not only a competition, but a gathering that celebrates Idaho’s strong archery tradition and community.
Some adjustments will be made due to recent fire impacts in the area and additional help will be needed. Volunteers are encouraged to get involved in setup and preparation leading up to the event. If anyone is interested in volunteering, they can reach out through the ISB Facebook page or by emailing - president@idahostatebowhunters.com
Whether you’re looking to compete, practice, or just connect with fellow archers, the Jamboree is a highlight of the summer! Full event details, schedule, signup, and updates can be found on their website - Jamboree 2026.
Snake River Quail Forever
Snake River Quail Forever is hosting an Emergency Field First Aid for Dogs Seminar with Dr. Melody Ward, DVM on August 22nd from 9:30am – 1:00pm at the Boise Fish and Game Headquarters. Regardless of how you hunt, fish, hike, or recreate outdoors with your dog you need to take this class and learn how to keep them safe and healthy in the wild.
SRQF will also be putting on a multi-week Learn to Hunt course for youth that includes weekly range sessions from late August to late September and culminates in a guided pheasant hunt over pointing dogs the first weekend in October. More details are available on the Snake River Quail Forever Chapter Facebook page or by emailing SRQF3208@gmail.com.
High Desert Pointing Dog Club
The High Desert Pointing Dog Club is hosting an annual Fun Shoot at the Jerome Gun Club on August 15. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., and shooting begins at 9:00 a.m.
Participants will enjoy a sporting clay shoot followed by lunch. We will also have a raffle and silent auction featuring a variety of great items, including hunting and fishing gear. This event is open to the public, and everyone is welcome. It's a great opportunity to get some shotgun shooting in before hunting season opens while supporting a great cause. Funds raised from this event support local youth shooting clubs, 4-H programs, and an annual youth pheasant hunt held each fall.
Come enjoy a fun day of shooting, good food, and supporting youth outdoor and shooting sports opportunities in our community. If you have any questions, please email hdpdogclub@gmail.com
Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation
Bill London, Co-Chair Conservation Committee
Research on Bighorn lamb survey techniques in the Salmon Region.
This spring in the Lower Panther-Main Salmon bighorn sheep population, a parturition (birthing) model was used to predict the birth of lambs. Due to the large number of marked ewes scattered across a large and rugged landscape lamb surveys are challenging to conduct in this population. The parturition model was developed with the data collected from GPS collared sheep over the last four years and allows us to reduce the total number of marked sheep we physically need to observe. Ground based surveys were conducted on a subsample of the population to verify the model, and it was found to be accurate. Out of 243 marked adult ewes in the LPMS population, it was estimated that 94% were pregnant. This equates to an estimated 228 lambs being born to GPS collared ewes in the study. Ground surveys of a smaller pool of the population aligned well with this estimate with 52 of the 54 observed ewes having lambs. Lamb surveys will be conducted via traditional ground surveys in the early fall to estimate over summer lamb survival. The fall lamb survey results give us a good estimate of lamb mortality due to Movi exposure as this type of mortality typically occurs shortly after weaning of lambs in the late summer.
Owyhee Spring Lamb Surveys
The 2026 Jacks Creek California bighorn spring lamb surveys have been completed. These are all ground surveys done on foot. Of the 66 collared ewes, 41 lambed (62%). If a lamb survives to four months they have a good chance of survival, until then they often die from predation and accidents. Of the 41 lambs born so far seven have been lost. (17%) A 'lost' lamb is presumed to have died.
The IDFG/ID WSF teams will be back out in September for the 4-month fall surveys to see how many lambs are still out there.
Bighorn Roadkill on the Salmon River Road
Radio telemetry collars on bighorn sheep along the Salmon River Road between North Fork and Corn Creek (FS Rd 30) have revealed a surprisingly high rate of mortality for bighorn sheep due to vehicle strikes. Ewe/lamb pairs have been among the mortalities. Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation is working in collaboration with the Salmon Challis National Forest to implement and enforce a speed limit, and with the Forest and the Idaho Fish and Game to design, fabricate and install educational signs encouraging motorists to watch out for sheep on the road, including details about the on-going research and importance of wild sheep conservation. It is planned to have these signs in place this summer. The radio collars are part of a disease study for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in bighorn sheep.
ID WSF the Idaho Bighorn Lottery Tag Drawing & Summer Socials
The winner of this drawing gets to hunt bighorn sheep in any open unit in the entire state of Idaho. The funds raised by this tag go right back into bighorn sheep management in Idaho. Raffle tickets will be sold until July 20, 2026. To purchase online, visit Idaho Bighorn Lottery Tag.
So, join us at one of the Idaho Bighorn Lottery Tag Drawing & Summer Socials. Enjoy a cool drink, visit with like-minded people, play the gun raffles and watch someone win the statewide bighorn tag. Everyone is welcome.
Socials will be held on July 24th, doors open at 4 PM at the following locations:
IDAHO FALLS - The Zone Sports Grill, 1505 W Broadway St., Idaho Falls
MERIDIAN - Loose Screw Beer Co., 105 E. Carlton Ave., Meridian (New Location)
LEWISTON - Shooters Sports Bar, 1618 Main St., Lewiston
Event raffle at each location including a rifle raffle. Bring your friends and family. Registration is not required.
Idaho Sportsmen Access & Opportunity
Save the Date - Clay Buster Bonanza - Caldwell Gun Club
Monday, August 17, 2026 @ 8:30am
Mark your calendars! The annual Clay Buster Bonanza is returning on Monday, August 17, 2026, and we are excited to bring together agency leaders, members of Idaho's congressional delegation, legislators, sportsmen, community partners, and industry leaders for another outstanding day on the range.
Hosted by Idaho Sportsmen Access & Opportunity in support of the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, the Clay Buster Bonanza offers a unique opportunity to connect with decision-makers, strengthen relationships, and enjoy some friendly competition.
Additional event details, registration information, and sponsorship opportunities will be released in the coming days, but we wanted to ensure you had the date on your calendar now.
Interested in sponsoring a team or learning more about partnership opportunities? We'd love to hear from you. We look forward to seeing you on the range for what promises to be our best Clay Buster Bonanza yet!
Hunter Perspectives Graduate Research Opportunity
University of Utah graduate student Ian Hanesworth is seeking deer and elk hunters from Idaho, Montana, and Utah to participate in a social research project exploring hunters' perspectives, experiences, and practices across the West. A hunter herself, Ian will be based in Boise this summer while conducting interviews. Interviews are informal, conversational, and take about one hour to complete. If you're interested in participating, please see the attached flier for additional details and contact information.
From Idaho, For Idaho
From Idaho, For Idaho highlights homegrown businesses that share our love for this place and support conservation, community, and the outdoor traditions that make Idaho, Idaho.
Based in Boise, Argali Outdoors builds lightweight backcountry hunting gear designed by hunters who spend countless days in the field. From shelters and game bags to knives and camp accessories, every product is built with performance, durability, and the realities of western hunting in mind. If you're looking to connect with the Argali team and fellow hunters before the season kicks off, don't miss their annual Pre-Season Bash on Thursday, August 6.
