AUGUST TOWN HALL
IDAHO SPORTSMEN | ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY
MONTHLY REPORT
August 2026
After taking a break in July from our monthly townhall schedule, we’re back in business and have a lot to report out from our August event. We’ve got the latest data on wolf hunting and a positive development to share about grizzly bear management. There’s some news about this summer’s wildfire season and a last-ditch pitch for our annual Claybuster Bonanza shooting event.
The Claybuster is a great way to take a morning away from the office, sharpen shooting skills and network with legislators, state agency heads and leaders of various sporting organizations from around the state. There is still time to register for the Aug. 17th event. We’ll place anyone registering individually on a team, but it’s not too late to roust up some friends and form a team of your own to come out to the Caldwell Gun Club to compete. At this point, we’re already anticipating a great turnout.
Like previous years, we’re sharing the hosting duties with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and we’ll have plenty of shotgun shells, donuts, snacks, coffee and water on hand. So, don’t be shy. Come on out and join in the fun. We’d love to see you there.
Ok, let’s talk about predators for a bit.
The latest data collected by Idaho Fish and Game shows that 316 wolves were taken during the 2025 harvest year, which ended June 30. This marks an increase from the 283 harvested in the previous year but still well below the typical annual harvest total between 400-500 wolves. Fish and Game Director Jim Fredericks attributes the lower totals the last two years to federal court decisions that restricted wolf trapping in several hunting zones.
The agency is estimating the state’s total wolf population – as of May 2025 – at 1,129 wolves, down from 1,235 projected the previous year. Fredericks said there is still work to be done to bring down the overall population to a level that is more reasonable for the state to manage.
On the grizzly bear front, Fredericks is excited about a recent decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that would give states more flexibility in the way they manage the species. The decision centers around what’s known as the 4(d) rule in the Endangered Species Act and the new version of the rule proposed by federal officials would create additional exceptions to the “taking” of a grizzly bear that would apply to states and tribal agencies.
Federal officials are in the process of taking public comment on the proposal. Fredericks said a final rule is anticipated in the fall. He also said it’s unclear how the proposed rule would impact the court-ordered injunction on wolf trapping.
Some not so positive news for fans of sturgeon fishing. Idaho Fish and Game recently imposed a closure on sturgeon fishing in C.J. Strike Reservoir. The closure is due to elevated water temperatures that led to the deaths of at least 16 sturgeon, some that were more than 50-years-old. The closure is in place until Sept. 25th and it marks the second time since 2022 that the agency has stepped in to protect the fish.
Troy Elmore from Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation provided a few updates, including the fact that trail crews are staying focused and busy this summer. So far, he says crews are on pace to hit their annual average target of clearing 2,500 miles in areas all across the state.
Idaho has a new state park, Elmore pointed out. A ribbon cutting earlier this summer celebrated the opening of Twin Peaks Ranch State Park near Salmon. The park is spread across more than 670 acres and perched atop the main stem of the Salmon River. It provides access to more than 2,000 miles of motorized and non-motorized trails, making it an ideal launch point for backcountry adventure, he said.
Elmore also says the department just finished awarding what may be the biggest round of recreational grants to projects statewide, including dollars to build new trails, snowmobile groomers, fishing docks and more. You can peruse the list of projects and upcoming improvements to recreational assets here: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026-Recreational-Grant-Awards-by-County.pdf
Finally, we’re in the middle of what seems to be a long and damaging wildfire season. To date, more than 600 fires have ignited across Idaho, burning hundreds of thousands of acres and straining state and federal resources for battling the blazes. For those heading into the woods be careful and mindful about fire safety. The Idaho Department of Lands recently moved Idaho into Stage 1 Fire Protection, which imposes tough restrictions on campfires and fire use on state and federal land.
Have fun in the outdoors, by all means. But please be careful. Our next townhall is scheduled for Sept. 1 at 6p.m. at the Fish and Game headquarters in Boise. If you can’t make it in person, join via Zoom.