By Dennis Udlinek, an Idaho fish 'n' hunt Exclusive!

While on my usual spring scouting trip to Owyhee Reservoir to see how the bass and crappie fishing was coming along, I stumbled upon a fish I had only just heard about the evening before.

Earlier I attended the Gem State Fly Fishers club meeting where I listened intently to Ray Perkins, a fisheries biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), as he described the introduction of a hybrid striper, called a "wiper," into Wildhorse Reservoir. He said, "there is a chance that they may have made their way into Owyhee Reservoir!"

The Idaho spring Chinook salmon season is set to begin a half hour before sunrise on Saturday, April 26, on parts of the Snake, Clearwater, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers.

With the removal of wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains from the federal endangered species list, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is no longer compiling the wolf weekly.

The states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming are going to try to keep the wolf weekly going as individual states. In the past reporting has been on livestock incidents, major wolf management, outreach and monitoring information by wolf program staff, and other information of significance dealing with wolves.

Anyone of the thousands of frequent visitors to CJ Strike Wildlife Management Area or CJ Strike Reservoir may have noticed some changes in the area and wondered what's going on.

Back in 1953, the CJ Strike Wildlife Management Area was established in concert with the construction of CJ Strike Dam and the resulting reservoir on the Snake River.

Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter urges hunters to participate in Idaho Fish and Game's Super Hunt program.

"I think all hunters should enter the Super Hunt drawing because it helps everybody," Otter said in a short audio file available on the Fish and Game Website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. Plus it gives hunters who enter a chance at winning the hunt of a lifetime, he said.

The application period for deer, elk, pronghorn, fall black bear and fall turkey starts May 1 and runs through June 5.

This year more fall turkey hunting opportunities will be available in the Southeast and Upper Snake regions.

The new big game rules brochures are back from the printer - with some noticeable changes in look and organization.

The 2008 big game rules are now available on the Idaho Fish and Game Website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/rules/bg/. Hard copies are expected to arrive by mid-April. A number of changes were made this year to improve readability, reduce redundancy, and increase ease of use.

On the day after Christmas, Remington Arms Company, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Marlin Firearms Company, Inc.; Bob Behn to remain president of Marlin after expected sale closes by the end of January 2008.

MADISON, N.C. – Remington Arms Company, Inc. (“Remington” or “ the Company”) the only manufacturer of both firearms and ammunition for Hunting, Law Enforcement/Security, Government & Military applications in the United States, announced on Dec. 26 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Marlin Firearms Company, Inc. (“Marlin”).

Everyone knows about the great traditions and family values that make hunting and fishing special, but fewer people realize the tremendous conservation and economic benefits provided by America’s sportsmen and women.

Are you aware of the benefits to your state? Take a closer look. Please join our nationwide celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day and help us build public support for outdoor lifestyle

Check out our new Fly Fishing Reports and Website at: Idaho flyfisher.com