Chance to Win Sports Pac: Apply Early for Controlled Hunt in Oregon

Salem, OR—Apply for a fall big game controlled hunt by Jan. 31, 2012 and you will be entered into a drawing to win one of 50 2013 Sports Pacs (a $164.75 value).

For the third year, ODFW is awarding a total of 100 Sports Pacs among the pool of hunters that apply for and are issued a fall big game controlled hunt application before April 15. While residents receive a Sports Pac, non-residents selected in the drawing will win a hunting license (a $140.50 value).

 

 

 

 

 

 

The purpose of the drawings is to encourage hunters to apply for controlled hunts early, well before the May 15 deadline. The sooner hunters apply, the better their chances of winning one of the three drawings:

• 50 Sports Pacs (or Non-Resident Hunting Licenses) will be awarded among pool of hunters that apply between Dec. 1, 2011 and Jan. 31, 2012.
• 30 Sports Pacs (or Non-Resident Hunting Licenses) will be awarded among pool of hunters that apply by March 15, 2012.
• 20 Sports Pacs (or Non-Resident Hunting Licenses) will be awarded among pool of hunters that apply by April 15, 2012.

A Sports Pac includes a Combination Angling/Hunting/Shellfish License, a Combined Angling Harvest Tag, a Validation for Upland Bird and Waterfowl hunting, plus a General or Controlled Deer, General or Controlled Elk, General Cougar, General or Controlled Bear and Spring Turkey Tag.

The drawings will take place Feb. 1, March 16 and April 19 and winners will be notified by mail. Hunters unsuccessful in the first or second drawing will be re-entered into future drawings. Only one entry per hunter is allowed, meaning hunters that apply for several controlled hunts will still only be entered once. Controlled spring bear hunt applicants are not eligible for the drawing.

Hunters can apply for controlled hunts online, at a license sales agent, at ODFW offices that sell licenses, or by mail or fax order using the fax or mail order application (also found on page 17 of the 2012 Oregon Big Game Regulations).

Mail order/fax applicants should allow 7-10 days for their applications to be processed and issued. Remember, to be eligible for the drawing, the controlled hunt application must be issued, not just received, by the drawing deadlines (Jan. 31, March 15 and April 15). Controlled hunt applications can be processed and issued immediately online, at license sales agents or ODFW offices.

The deadline to apply for a controlled hunt is May 15 each year. In 2011, 79,481 out of 380,639 total applications, or almost 21 percent, were processed by April 15, 2011. That compares to 21 percent in 2011 and 16 percent in 2010.

“Most controlled hunt applications are received during the last few days,” said Deanna Erickson, ODFW license sales services manager. “However, these drawings have increased the number of early applicants.

In the past, the high volume of sales activity in the last few days prior to the deadline led to long lines and slowed or crashed the system.

The vendor that manages the license sales system is purchasing the Sports Pac and Non-Resident Hunting Licenses for the winners.

Some of Oregon’s big game hunts are limited entry, including almost all rifle hunting of deer and elk east of the Cascades and pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and Rocky Mountain goat hunts.  These hunts require a controlled hunt application.

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Idaho Wolf Hunting Closed in Two Zones

The seasons opened August 30 and closed December 31.

Wolf hunting seasons remain open through March 31 in the Panhandle, Palouse-Hells Canyon, Dworshak-Elk City, Middle Fork, Salmon, McCall-Weiser, Sawtooth, Southern Mountains and Southern Idaho zones, and through June 30 in the Lolo and Selway zones.

Wolf harvest is limited in only three of the zones still open. The season limits are 40 wolves in the Salmon zone, 60 in the Sawtooth zone and 25 in the Southern Mountains zone. There are no limits in the remaining eight wolf management zones.

Hunters may buy two wolf hunting tags per calendar year, valid only in the year for which they are issued, and they may take only one wolf per tag. Wolf seasons are any-weapon seasons, electronic calls may be used statewide and wolves may be taken incidentally during fall bear baiting.

Hunters must report killing a wolf within 72 hours, and they must present the skull and hide to an Idaho Fish and Game office within 10 days. Fish and Game will monitor the hunt daily. The seasons will close when the harvest limit for a zone is reached or by the season closing date, whichever comes first.

Wolf trapping seasons opened November 15 and continue through March 31 in the Panhandle zone, except for units 2 and 3; in the Lolo zone; in the Dworshak-Elk City zone, except Unit 10A; in the Selway zone; and the Middle Fork zone.

All other zones are closed to trapping with the option of opening a trapping season in other zones upon commission review in January.

Trappers who have completed the mandatory trapper class may buy up to three tags in the 2011-2012 trapping season with a trapping license; in addition unused hunting tags from the current calendar, 2012, may also be used to tag trapped wolves.

Snares and foothold traps, with a jaw spread of no more than 9 inches are legal during wolf trapping season.

Baiting regulations for trapping wolves are consistent with regulations for furbearers.

Trappers must check their traps at least once every 72 hours; they must report a kill within 72 hours and bring the skull and hide to be checked with Fish and Game within 10 days.

Wolf hunting and trapping seasons and rules are posted on the Fish and Game website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/?getPage=266, and they will be available in a brochure.

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Application Period for Idaho Spring Turkey Hunts Changed

The application period for spring turkey controlled hunts has been delayed to begin February 1.

The application period will run through the end of February. The application fee is $6.25 per person for residents and $14.75 for nonresidents.

Hunters may apply for controlled hunts at any hunting and fishing license vendor, Fish and Game office; with a credit card by calling 1-800-55HUNT5; or online athttp://fishandgame.idaho.gov. An additional fee is charged for telephone and Internet applications.

If drawn, a hunter must also purchase a turkey controlled hunt permit at $7.75 and turkey tag at $19.75. Spring turkey controlled hunt information will be available following the Idaho Fish and Game Commission meeting on January 26.

Hunters must have a valid 2012 Idaho hunting license to apply.

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Attention Idaho Wolf Tag Buyers

Some recently issued 2012 wolf hunting tags include an incorrect telephone number for the reporting hotline.

About 4,200 tags were issued to 3,780 individuals for 2012 were printed with the incorrect number.

The correct reporting hotline number is 1-855-648-5558.

Hunters may buy two wolf tags per calendar year. They are required to report killing a wolf within 72 hours, and they must present the skull and hide to an Idaho Fish and Game office within 10 days. They may call the hotline or a local Fish and Game office to report a kill.

For information on wolf hunting and trapping seasons go to the Fish and Game website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/?getPage=266.

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Idaho Fish and Game Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Upland Game Changes

The Idaho Department of Fish & Game is holding a series of open houses across the state to collect public comment on proposed changes to the upland game hunting regulations for next fall.  In the Upper Snake Region the open house will be held at the regional office in Idaho Falls on Wednesday, January 4^th and run from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

According to Regional Wildlife Manager Daryl Meints, “The most significant change being proposed involves moving the opening day for sage-grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, gray partridge, and chukar away from the opening day of waterfowl, like it was this year.”  This proposal would move the upland game opener to the third Saturday of September, giving bird hunters two weeks before the waterfowl opener.  The sharp-tailed season would still only run for 31 days and the sage-grouse season would be set to fit within the guidelines of the state sage-grouse conservation plan.

Another significant change being proposed that would benefit both resident and non-resident hunters would be the expansion of the possession limit for upland game birds statewide from the current two times the daily bag limit, to three times the daily bag limit.   “This lets non-residents who buy the new three –day game license be able to take home more, as well as those resident upland game hunters who might travel to other parts of the state.” said Meints.

Other smaller changes are being proposed for certain regions, information about all of these will be available at the open house. Individuals with disabilities may request meeting accommodations by contacting Daryl Meints at IDFG at 525-7290 or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-3529(TDD).  Individuals not able to attend, but wishing to comment may do so by regular mail to IDFG / 4279 Commerce Circle in Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401 or via e-mail at daryl.meints@idfg.idaho.gov.  All comments must be received by 5:00 PM January 5, 2012

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Japanese Yew Proves Fatal to Idaho Moose and Other Wildlife

We’ve all heard the old wives’ tale that poinsettias are fatal to pets, and while that may not be so, here is an exotic plant related problem that is sadly all too true.  Winter can be a cold bleak time where any hint of green is welcome, especially if it sports a cute little red berry.   Unfortunately, the exotic evergreen Japanese Yew plant is like Kryptonite to Idaho’s moose and other big game.

Japanese Yew is an attractive exotic ground covering shrub that has been around for decades.  Planted to decorate gardens in town, its rich green foliage and red berries perk up an otherwise monotonous winter moonscape.  As people have started to live further and further from town, surviving by telecommuting over the Internet, they brought their urban landscaping practices with them.  Unfortunately, when big game or livestock are involved, just a handful of Japanese Yew can be fatal.  So toxic, it’s able to quickly kill something as large as an adult moose.

Idaho Department of Fish & Game urges homeowners who live close to wintering moose and other big game to be sure they don’t have Japanese Yew planted by their homes or cabins.  In recent years local businesses have given out small Japanese Yew plants as Christmas gifts.  The hardy shrub planted in an urban setting poses little threat to big game, but in remote areas, it is a tantalizing morsel that moose and other wildlife are unable to avoid. For moose it is eye candy of the most deadly variety.  Whereas a wolf wouldn’t dream of taking on a healthy bull moose, Japanese Yew can kill any size moose that happens to be lured in by its delicious appearance.

Homeowners seeking to learn more about plants that are toxic to wildlife should contact their local University of Idaho Extension Office.

To view a short video clip about Japanese Yew and wildlife visit: http://www.littleurl.net/d3709e

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Poaching Incident on the Outskirts of Idaho Falls

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking information about a recent deer poaching incident in the Idaho Falls area that occurred barely a mile outside of city limits.

On Wednesday, December 7^th, someone shot a buck in a field near the intersection of 55^th East and 1^St Street.  The head and antlers were removed, and the rest of the deer was left in the field. According to neighbors in the area, a rifle shot was heard around 7 AM. It appears from the evidence that one person walked out into the field to cut off the deer head.

Anyone with information about this incident should call the Fish and Game office at 525-7290 or the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at: (800)-632-5999. You can remain anonymous. In this instance not only is poaching a concern, but also human safety because of the relatively close proximity that a high-powered rifle was used in relation to residences.

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It’s not too Soon to Enter Idaho’s Super Hunt

Last minute gift idea: get your favorite hunter a chance to win the hunt of a lifetime. The first drawing is still several months away, but it’s not too early to enter Idaho Fish and Game’s Super Hunt.

The Super Hunt is a fund-raising drawing for 40 big game tags. The tags are handed out to winners in two drawings. Entries are drawn for elk, deer, and pronghorn and moose tags. Winners can participate in any open hunt in the state for deer, elk, pronghorn or moose. That includes general hunts and controlled hunts.

The first Super Hunt entry for a species costs $6. Each additional entry for the same species purchased at the same time costs $4. The Super Hunt Combo entries work the same way. The first one costs $20, and each additional entry purchased at the same time will cost $16.

The first drawing is in June when entries are drawn for eight elk, eight deer and eight pronghorn hunts as well as one moose hunt. One Super Hunt Combo entry also will be drawn that will entitle the winner to four hunts – one each elk, deer, pronghorn and moose.

The second drawing is in August with two winners for elk, two for deer, two for pronghorn and one for a moose along with another Super Hunt Combo.

Winners can participate in any open hunt in the state for deer, elk, pronghorn or moose, including general and controlled hunts.

Entries can be bought online at: https://id.outdoorcentral.us/, at license vendors and Fish and Game offices, by phone at 800-554-8685, or by mail at: IDFG License Section, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707.

Money from the sale of entries supports the Access Yes! Program, which compensates landowners to provide hunter and angler access to or across private land.

For information about this program contact local Fish and Game officials or visit the Website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/accessyesguide.aspx.

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Idaho DFG Seeking Assistance from the Public Regarding Elk Poaching

Idaho Falls, ID - The Idaho Department of Fish & Game is seeking assistance from the public regarding a poaching incident that occurred about three miles from the Kepps Crossing area east of Idaho Falls.

The incident in question involved a spike elk that was killed in the area of the Bulls Fork road about three miles from Kepps Crossing. The individuals involved killed four elk.  Two cows, a calf and a spike. They recovered all the meat that was required, but the problem was that killed a spike on a cow only hunt. Evidence at the site indicates the incident probably occurred last Friday the 25^th of November.

Anyone who might have information pertaining to this incident should contact the regional IDFG Office in Idaho Falls at 208-525-7290. To report other possible illegal activities concerned citizens can call the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) Hotline at 1-800-632-5999.  Callers can remain anonymous and rewards may be available.

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Idaho Launches Online Bear ID Training

Boise, Idaho – There are many facets to preparing for a successful hunting trip. Sighting in your rifle, getting the necessary gear together, and scouting the territory. Now hunters or any outdoor enthusiasts have an additional tool for getting ready before they head to the woods. As an addition to their newly redesigned website completed in August, Idaho Fish & Game has added an interactive bear identification training section to help educate about the differences between the two types of bruins that call Idaho home.

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/education/bearIdentification/

For a number of years, Idaho linked its website to the bear ID portion of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website. A year ago, the Idaho Fish & Game Commission directed the Department to create its own bear ID training component to be a part of the Idaho Fish & Game website. Work to complete the bear ID site was aided by a grant from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC).

The Commission’s intent was to help bear hunters better identify their targets. Portions of northern & eastern Idaho are now again home to both black and grizzly bears. Not only is it important for bear hunters to be able to properly identify their target because of the protection offered grizzlies under the Endangered Species Act; but also because the two types of bears generally react very differently to humans. Even if you are not hunting bears, learning how to tell the difference between the two species can be critical to surviving a surprise encounter with a bear.

The new bear ID portion of the Idaho Fish & Game website is designed to help educate about learning to identify the different physical characteristics of black and grizzly bears. The online quiz is designed to help users learn from their mistakes by reviewing what they missed on a particular image. The quiz contains and introductory educational portion, followed by a 15-question quiz. There also is a change to view video clips of bears in the wild to help identify bears on the move in the wild. The video clips were provided free by Finley-Holiday Films. The website also provides information on bear biology and natural history.

At the end of the quiz a certificate is available to print out to verify how the user did. The online course is not required for bear hunters in Idaho yet, it is highly recommended, similar to the online quiz provided by Wyoming Game & Fish. For a number of years, Montana has required its bear hunters to pass an online quiz before they can purchase a black bear tag.

According to IDFG Regional Conservation Educator Gregg Losinski, “While the bear ID segment was created for bear hunters, it is training that anyone heading out into the outdoors should take advantage of!”

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