Wildlife health program: idaho fish and games (idfg) wildlife management responsibilities and activities includes the development and implementations of a wildlife health program (WHP) that…

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service awarded the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) a Formula Grant of $21.2 million under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Funded through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, this award supports IDFG's comprehensive wildlife management and conservation initiatives across Idaho. The grant funds four primary operational areas: the Wildlife Health Program, which collaborates with local, state, and federal partners to assess and eliminate impacts of wildlife diseases on wildlife populations, livestock, and humans; the Statewide Survey and Inventory Program, which monitors wildlife populations through capture, radio-marking, GPS telemetry, aerial and ground surveys, and translocations to restore or augment populations; the Statewide Habitat Management Program, which develops and maintains Wildlife Management Areas, restores habitats, implements incentive programs for private landowner hunter access, and conducts wildlife and public use monitoring; and the Statewide Wildlife Research Program, which conducts applied research projects to inform wildlife management decisions.

These funded activities directly advance wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and recreational opportunities while supporting responsible hunting practices in Idaho. Grant funds are allocated to program staffing, project implementation, facility construction and maintenance, and technical assistance initiatives that involve stakeholder engagement and environmental review processes.

Wildlife health program: idaho fish and games (idfg) wildlife management responsibilities and activities includes the development and implementations of a wildlife health program (WHP) that collaborates with local, state and federal partners to assess and eliminate the impacts of wildlife diseases on wildlife populations, livestock and humans. The WHP investigates and monitors issues affecting wildlife health and disease occurrences across the state. Grant funds are used for program staffing and project implementation. Survey and inventory: the statewide survey and inventory program supports wildlife conservation and wildlife related recreational opportunities through staff and project funding. The grant funds wildlife monitoring of populations through capture, radio-marking, and GPS telemetry monitoring to assess survival and distribution aerial and ground based surveys to assess population composition, size, and trend and estimation and monitoring of harvest. IT funds translocation of wildlife species to restore or augment populations and to provide recreational opportunity. Additionally, IT funds staff participation in technical assistance, stakeholder involvement, and management planning. Habitat program management: the statewide habitat management program supports wildlife conservation and wildlife related recreational opportunities through staff and project funding. The habitat program funds wildlife management area (WMA) support facilities construction and maintenance habitat development and restoration projects, and associated monitoring wildlife, habitat, and public use monitoring. The habitat program provides funds for incentive programs to private landowners for hunter access. The habitat program funds staff participation in environmental and technical review and input, as well as tasks associated with public outreach, and stakeholder engagement. Wildlife research: the statewide wildlife research program conducts research projects that will inform and improve the management and habitat for all species in the state. Project funds are used for research program staff and projects implementation.