Month: October 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from Idaho Fish and Game:

ISLAND PARK — On the morning of Oct. 18, a big game hunter shot and killed a male grizzly bear in self-defense after it charged him from a short distance away while hunting in the North Antelope flats area of Island Park on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

The hunter was hiking through thick timber when the grizzly came out of the brush, charging directly toward him. The man used the hunting rifle he was carrying to shoot the bear, killing it before contact was made. 

The hunter called the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office as soon as he was able to report the incident. Idaho Fish and Game was notified and immediately responded to the report. After conducting a thorough investigation, it was determined that the hunter acted in self-defense as he was being charged by a bear from a close distance.

Grizzly bears are protected under state and federal law, and Fish and Game reminds hunters that grizzly bears may be encountered in the Greater Yellowstone area and parts of northern Idaho. Grizzly bears also occasionally visit as far south as the Grangeville area and into the Salmon Region in central Idaho.

Here are some good reminders when hunting in grizzly country:

Carry bear spray and keep it accessible.

Hunt with partners and make each other aware of plans.

Look for grizzly bear sign, including fresh tracks. Let partners know if you do see sign.

Retrieve meat as quickly as possible.

Hang meat, food, and garbage at least 200 yards from camp and at least 10 feet off the ground.

When not actively hunting, make noise, especially around creeks and thick vegetation. Most attacks occur by inadvertently surprising a bear at close range.

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News Team

IDAHO (KIFI) — The Department of Homeland Security is defending a large-scale operation in Wilder, Idaho, over the weekend that resulted in the arrest of 105 individuals on immigration and criminal charges. The raid targeted an alleged illegal horse-racing, animal fighting, and gambling operation and has drawn sharp criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho and the Idaho Democratic Party.

The raid took place while a public horse racing event was in progress, with a large crowd in attendance, according to a report by KIVI. Eyewitnesses reported a significant law enforcement presence, noting that several officers were wearing masks, stating that ICE detained a larger number of people than the FBI during the operation.

Tuesday, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin released a written statement confirming the operation and its focus.

“Over the weekend, ICE dismantled an illegal horse-racing, animal fighting, and a gambling enterprise operation …,” McLaughlin stated. “As part of the operation, ICE law enforcement officers arrested 105 illegal aliens. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are dismantling criminal networks in the United States.”

ACLU of Idaho Denounces Arrests

In the wake of the arrests, the operation has sparked a torrent of online speculation regarding legal and civil rights concerns.

RELATED: Increased ICE raids raise concerns in Eastern Idaho following federal raid in Wilder

On Monday, the ACLU of Idaho held a press conference to publicly denounce the raid.

“The government came in full force, military-style, helicopters, drones and arrested and handcuffed, everyone … including children,” ACLU of Idaho Executive Director Leo Morales told journalists, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun. “No person, no Idahoan, no American should ever accept whenever a government does this to its own people.”

In a written statement, Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea called the action in Wilder “government overreach at its worst.”

“Hundreds of agents descended on a small community, zip-tied adults and minors, fired rubber bullets into a peaceful crowd, and separated children from their parents, all over an alleged unlicensed betting operation involving only a handful of people,” said Necochea. Those few could have been arrested directly. The vast majority of those detained had nothing to do with the alleged crime. It was inhumane, unnecessary, and dangerous.”

Necochea also criticized Governor Little’s backing of the Idaho State Police (ISP) partnership with ICE under the 287(g) program, which allows state and local law enforcement to perform certain federal immigration functions.

“Governor Little promised that coordination with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and state police would focus on criminals. Instead, innocent families, including U.S. citizens and children, were targeted and traumatized,” she added. “The Trump regime’s reckless approach to immigration closes legal pathways and punishes law-abiding people, tearing families apart for no purpose other than fear and control… If the government can treat families like this in Wilder, what stops them from doing it anywhere else?”

Governor Little comments on arrests in Wilder

Governor Brad Little issued a written statement Tuesday supporting the action by DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Illegal gambling operations involving animals often accompany drug trafficking, animal abuse, illegal weapons trafficking, and large sums of money that end up in the hands of cartel bosses,” Governor Little said.

The Governor also confirmed the state’s involvement, noting, “The State of Idaho provided support in the service of a warrant issued by a federal judge in connection with the illegal activities taking place in Wilder.”

The release by the Governor’s office also clarified that the operation was the culmination of a month-long investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in coordination with the Treasure Valley Metro Violence Crime and Gang Task Force. The Governor’s office also confirmed that of the 105 people taken into custody, none of whom were children.

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