The Bureau of Land Management invites all Americans to celebrate National Fishing and Hunting Day on Saturday by visiting public lands throughout Idaho. Here, Americans can hunt, fish, and watch wildlife while exploring the great outdoors. The BLM manages diverse habitats to support fish and wildlife game species, affording superior hunting opportunities and world-class fishing.

“The BLM is committed to providing widespread access to America’s public lands for recreation,” said BLM Idaho Recreation Lead Robin Fehlau. “Over 99 percent of BLM-managed lands are open to hunting and fishing, and BLM coordinates with local communities and our valued partners to actively expand access to these opportunities. The BLM supports hunting and fishing as meaningful forms of conservation.”

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s “2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation,” more than 101.6 million Americans, or 40 percent of the U.S. population age 16 and older, pursued wildlife-related recreation. The survey also reports that hunting, fishing, and other wildlife related activities contributed an estimated $156.3 billion to the U.S. economy in 2016. In FY 2017, BLM-managed public lands received 7.3 million hunting and fishing visits, helping to support local economies.

Fishing and hunting on public lands in Idaho are managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Be sure you review all regulations before heading out on your outdoor adventure. Hunters and anglers on public lands must have the required state licenses.

Hunting

The BLM manages wildlife habitat on 1 out of every 10 acres of land in the United States. Unless specifically prohibited, public lands managed by the BLM are open to hunting. Check with your local BLM office in the region you plan to visit to check on closures, restrictions and safety tips before you plan your trip.

It is important to hunt only on lands where it is legally allowed. Private land is open to hunting only if you have the permission of the land owner. If you do not have permission to hunt, you are trespassing and can be prosecuted. Crossing private lands to access public lands is not permitted, unless you first obtain permission from the private landowner. Consult BLM maps before heading out to ensure land status. You can also review this interactive Idaho Hunt Planner.

Idaho is home to more than 300 protected nongame birds. Please remember that it is unlawful to shoot or harass threatened, endangered or protected nongame birds.

Idaho offers some of the best chukar and gray partridge hunting in the West. These upland birds thrive on large tracts of public land, with the best distribution in the Clearwater, Magic Valley and Southwest regions.

Fishing

The BLM manages over 130,000 miles of fishable rivers and streams and provides countless public recreational fishing access opportunities throughout the United States.

BLM-managed lands are open for fishing unless specifically closed for specific resource protection purposes. Anyone 14 years and older must have a valid fishing license to fish in Idaho with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Consider using nontoxic tackle as inexpensive and ecologically sound alternatives to lead fishing weights.

The South Fork of the Snake River supports the largest native cutthroat fishery outside of Yellowstone National Park. Among recreationists throughout the country, the South Fork is known as a premier blue ribbon trout fishery, and was selected as the host site for the 1997 World Fly-Fishing Championship.

Know Before You Go:

• Plan your route in advance. Consult BLM maps for more information.
• Be prepared. Weather and conditions may change quickly, so pack accordingly. Always bring a first-aid kit, extra water, food and dry clothing.
• Follow Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly ethics. Preserve the outdoors for future generations by using designated routes and packing out all trash.
• Let others know your plans. Before leaving, make sure you let someone else them know where you will be and when you will be back.
• Make sure your equipment is in proper working condition. By checking your equipment, you decrease risk of injury to yourself and others, or accidentally starting a wildfire on public lands. Take steps to make sure trailer chains aren’t dragging, and stay on roads and trails.
• Prevent wildfire. The fire prevention order is in effect through Oct. 20.
• Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by practicing clean, drain and dry.

POCATELLO — The Bureau of Land Management’s Pocatello Field Office (PFO) will renovate Goodenough Creek Campground between Sept. 3 and Dec. 2 to enhance recreational experiences for the public. The campground will be unavailable for use during this time period to ensure public safety.

“The purpose of improving the campground is to add more sites to accommodate larger recreational vehicles, install a toilet in the middle of the campground in proximity to the tent sites and improve the day use parking area to allow for more vehicles,” Assistant Field Manager Blaine Newman said. “The Pocatello Field Office is excited about making improvements to the campground to benefit the public recreating there.”

The PFO will be completing maintenance projects within the campground, including rebuilding the main access road and recreational vehicle turnaround, and expanding the day use parking area. Water diversion controls, additional campsites and a new toilet will also be installed.

While the campground is being renovated, the public can camp at other nearby campgrounds, including the PFO-managed Hawkins Reservoir Campground and non-BLM campgrounds. The trails adjacent to Goodenough Creek Campground that lead onto the Caribou-Targhee National Forest can be accessed by other trailheads located in the forest

POCATELLO — It’s time to get outside! The Bureau of Land Management opened the Chinese Peak-Blackrock Trail System on Monday to motorized and mechanized travel (bicycling). The BLM Pocatello Field Office closes the trail system annually from Nov. 16 through April 14 to protect wintering deer. Travel is limited to designated routes only and all routes without signs are closed.

“Idaho weather is unpredictable, and even though the trail system is open, we can expect snow or rain at any moment so please use these trails responsibly,” said Melissa Warren, Pocatello field manager. “Staying on designated roads/trails and avoiding snow drifts and muddy areas help prevent resource damage.”

Warren also says riders should be cautious since there may still be a few deep drifts on north-facing slopes at higher elevations.

As this area is very popular with recreationists of all kind, the BLM would like to remind the public of the No Shooting Area within the Blackrock Canyon recreation site, which includes parking areas, ATV loading/unloading ramps, picnic sites, camping areas and restrooms. The regulation is also enforced 150 yards on each side of the Blackrock Canyon road for the first 2 miles after entering the BLM gate.

No shooting is allowed on the private lands within Blackrock Canyon or at the Chinese Peak and AMI developed parking areas. Both the recreation area and developed parking areas receive high levels of use and the No Shooting Area helps protect the public.

The PFO has developed a trail system map depicting trail access points, regulations and trail etiquette. Free maps are available to the public at the PFO, located at 4350 Cliffs Drive in Pocatello. Although the BLM is opening the Chinese Peak-Blackrock Trail System, seasonal closures are still in place on other BLM and U.S. Forest Service trails until May 15. Please check with the local BLM and Forest Service offices at 208-478-6340 or 208-236-7500 for more information.

POCATELLO — Join us in celebrating your public lands during the Bureau of Land Management’s National Public Lands Day volunteer event in Pocatello on Saturday.

This event will be held at Blackrock Canyon, about 6 miles southeast of Pocatello, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at the Pocatello BLM Office, 4350 Cliffs Drive, to travel together to the work site.

Volunteers will help restore the riparian area adjacent to the Blackrock Canyon Picnic Area. Activities for the workday include willow planting, grass seeding and fence building.

If you are interested in helping, dress appropriately for the weather and terrain and plan to get a little dirty for a good cause. All ages are welcome. Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and lunch. BLM will provide tools and gloves. If you plan to attend, contact the BLM at 208-478-6340 to ensure equipment availability.

National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to enhance public lands for all to enjoy. Across Idaho, the BLM expects hundreds of volunteers and partners to take part in National Public Lands Day events.

For additional information, visit www.blm.gov/get-involved/volunteers/national-public-lands-day.