It is time again for a regional roundup — an opportunity to look at what is going on in the world of Idaho Fish and Game that may be of interest to sportsmen, sportswomen, wildlife watchers and outdoors enthusiasts alike in southeast Idaho.
Public meeting in May to address urban deer issues in Pocatello
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the City of Pocatello will co-host a public meeting to identify and discuss issues of conflict for local residents with our urban mule deer population. The meeting is scheduled for May 10 at the Idaho Fish and Game office located at 1345 Barton Road in Pocatello. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m.
Representatives of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the City of Pocatello will lead the discussion with residents of the west Pocatello foothills, particularly the Johnny Creek, Gibson Jack Creek and Mink Creek areas. However, anyone from the public is welcome to attend. Wildlife managers and city personnel will work with area residents to outline issues and identify potential strategies to reduce wildlife conflicts.
There are consequences for living in the urban interface — that place or edge where wild lands and its wildlife meet and even overlap with an urban setting. In recent years, there has been an increase in wildlife vehicle collisions, complaints about deer damaging residential landscapes, accounts of deer acting aggressively toward people and pets, deer being chased or injured by dogs, deer getting “hung up” on homeowners’ fences, and an increase in unauthorized deer feeding by residents — which has only served to increase conflicts between deer and frustrated residents.
The Urban Deer Meeting in May will be just the first step in a community effort to address urban deer conflicts and will rely on participation and contributions from various partners, including but not limited to, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, city of Pocatello, Bannock County and, most importantly, the public.
Controlled hunt application period starts May 1
The application period for fall controlled hunts for big game and turkey starts May 1 and runs through June 5. Putting in for controlled hunts can be done in person at any Fish and Game license vendor or at your regional Fish and Game office. You can also apply for controlled hunts through the mail, online at http://idfg.idaho.gov, or by calling 1-800-554-8685.
And remember, you still have until April 30 to get your controlled hunt applications in for trophy species — moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat.
