The idaho department of fish and game (idfg) manages 31 state-owned wildlife management areas (WMA)

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service awarded the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) $452,451 under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) as a Formula Grant. The award, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, supports infrastructure development projects across IDFG's 31 state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and 160 program support facilities. The biannual infrastructure development grant provides IDFG with enhanced flexibility to execute larger-scale operations and maintenance projects, including facility upgrades, systems improvements, and equipment enhancements that typically exceed the scope of annual budgeting constraints.

This funding enables IDFG to work with contractors for capital infrastructure improvements while maintaining compliance with statewide purchasing policies and navigating labor and supply chain challenges. The grant supports the agency's core mission of wildlife conservation and management by ensuring that the physical infrastructure necessary for WMA operations—such as facilities, systems, and equipment—receives adequate investment and maintenance. By providing dedicated funding for strategic infrastructure development projects, the award enhances IDFG's operational capacity to manage Idaho's fish and wildlife resources effectively across the three-year performance period.

Idfg currently maintains 160 program support facilities to perform the functions for which the WMA s were established. Operations and maintenance typically includes the day-to-day activities necessary for the facilities, their systems and equipment. Annual budgeting may not always provide sufficient funding and or time to complete larger scale o m projects. The biannual infrastructure development grant provides idfg greater flexibility to workwith contractors within the constraints of statewide purchasing policies, labor and supply shortages andcompliance review processes.