Several eastern Idaho groups win grant money from Idaho Fish and Game
Chris Nestman
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — In an official announcement today (Monday, July 28, 2025), the Idaho Fish and Game has granted $100,000 total to various conservation and recreation-focused groups around the state. With a goal of taking care of the state’s wildlands for the public, Fish and Game says helping other organizations with similar goals is a win-win.
“So this is a way for our commissioners to get the community involved in conservation,” said James Brower, an Idaho Fish and Game Communications Manager. “That’s the goal of the whole program, is to get some of these community groups the funding that they need to really be involved and support conservation throughout the entire state.”
Some of the winners in our region include Mackay High School for their aquaculture program and Skyline High School for their trap team. The funds will help both schools better sponsor and manage their respective programs, and in some cases, help cover fees for students.”
The biggest winner for the entire state was the Henry’s Fork Foundation in Ashton, which won $20,000 to help repair the road leading up to the Chester Dam Boat Ramp.
“It’s going to address a much-needed and arguably long overdue maintenance project,” said Matt Hively, an Aquatic’s Resource Manager for the Henry’s Fork Foundation. “So now we’re helping to maintain the road from the irrigation canal up to the hydro plant facility. That’ll happen August 5th through the 7th, where the road will be closed at that time.”
From the Idaho Fish and Game website, here’s a full list of this year’s grant winners by region.
Panhandle Region
Idaho Trails Association
Award: $5,000
Project: Support backcountry trails maintenance in Units 7 and 9 to facilitate hunter access.
Kootenai Valley Sportsmen
Award: $2,500
Project: Support a youth pheasant hunting clinic at Boundary-Smith Creek WMA in Boundary County in cooperation with First Hunt Foundation.
First Hunt Foundation
Award: $2,500
Project: Support a youth pheasant hunting clinic at Boundary-Smith Creek WMA in Boundary County in cooperation with Kootenai Valley Sportsmen.
Clearwater Region
Idaho Trappers Association
Award: $10,000
Project: Fisher research project
Southwest Region
Idaho Conservation Officers Association
Award: $4,000
Project: Reduce registration fees for the Mark Hill Memorial Youth Conservation Camp.
Idaho Trails Association
Award: $4,400
Project: Clearing trails in the Big Creek and Indian Creek drainages.
Snake River Quail Forever
Award: $1,600
Project: Purchase of two shotguns to be used for wing shooting classes.
Magic Valley Region
Mule Deer Foundation
Award: $4,000
Project: Habitat improvement
Idaho Trappers Association
Award: $5,000
Project: Trapper’s education
Wood River Land Trust
Award: $1,000
Project: Macroinvertebrate study
Southeast Region
Blackfoot River Bowmen
Award: $5,000
Project: Longterm shooting range easement
National Wild Turkey Federation – Idaho Chapter
Award: $3,000
Project: Habitat improvement projects
East Idaho Houndsmen Association
Award: $1,000
Project: Youth hound hunting equipment
Idaho Trappers Association
Award: $1,000
Project: Youth trapping equipment
Upper Snake Region
American Bear Foundation
Award: $1,666
Project: Bear spray giveaway and trainings
Mackay High School
Award: $5,000
Project: Aquaculture lab improvements
Eastern Idaho Houndsmen Association
Award: $1,667
Project: Hound hunting equipment giveaway for annual youth event.
Skyline Trap Team
Award: $1,667
Project: Purchase of clays, transportation, and range fees for students.
Salmon Region
Cast Hope
Award: $9,605
Project: Fly fishing clinic for underprivileged youth.
Statewide Awards
Idaho Conservation Officers Association
Award: $10,000
Project: Reduce registration fees for the Mark Hill Memorial Youth Conservation Camp.
Henrys Fork Foundation
Award: $20,000
Project: Infrastructure improvements for the Chester Dam Access Site.