As basketball fans gear up for March Madness, Fish and Game is getting ready for its own “big game day” — one that is sure to bring some exciting final scores of its own.

March 9 is Big Game Measuring Day at the Southeast Regional Office of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at 1345 Barton Road in Pocatello.

Measuring for Boone & Crockett (Rifle/Pistol), Pope & Young (Archery) and Longhunter Society (Muzzleloader) will be conducted by certified measurers for entry into the big game record books. The service is free.

Interested sportsmen and sportswomen may bring their antlers, horns and/or skulls to the regional office in Pocatello on March 8 by 5 p.m. but no later than 9 a.m. March 9.

Items being brought for measuring must be free of flesh and skin and must have been air-dried for 60 days. Please note that air-drying is not the same as freezer storage.

Information required at the time of dropoff includes:

• Hunter name
• Date of harvest
• Location of harvest, including big game unit, county and state
• Owner name, address and telephone number
• Guide’s name and address, if applicable

All items must be picked up sometime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. March 10 unless special arrangements are made to pick items up the afternoon of March 9.

It is so exciting to see such great Idaho trophies come through the office doors for scoring. Each year brings its own surprises. The service is free, so even if you are not sure your item is a record-worthy trophy, bring it by anyway. Fish and Game will be happy to at least rough score it.

For more information, plase contact the Fish and Game office in Pocatello at 208-232-4703.

Jennifer Jackson is the Regional Conservation Educator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Southeast Region.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is very aware of the winter we are having throughout the southeast region, and in spite of the snow and cold temperatures, a winter feeding emergency for big game does not exist at this time.

The decision to feed or not is not taken lightly and is backed by an involved process of information gathering and solid science. That may sound complex, even time consuming, but make no mistake — if an emergency arises, Fish and Game is prepared to immediately begin feeding deer and elk within 24 hours of a decision being made.

That’s because right now there are 20 tons of feed stored in water-tight containers in both Montpelier and Preston, and staff and volunteers are prepared to execute feeding operations if the directive is issued.

Some may say that the Idaho Department of Fish and Game doesn’t care about wildlife, because if we did, we would be feeding right now. The truth is that Fish and Game employees are dedicated, caring people with special places in their hearts for wildlife.

We are connected to the outdoors, the landscape, the wildlife and all the rich traditions that are tied to these cherished resources. If that were not the case, then none of us with Fish and Game would have chosen our careers with this agency. So when a decision is made to not feed deer or elk, rest assured it is not because we don’t care.

What follows is a summary of the feeding program protocols, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about winter feeding.

Who decides if there is an emergency? Who do you contact if you have a concern?

Input from the Winter Feeding Advisory Committee (WFAC) is critical to the winter feeding decision process. Composed of five volunteers representing different regions of southeast Idaho, the WFAC was established about 20 years ago. Members of the WFAC are citizen volunteers who are approved to serve on the committee by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission.

On their own time, these individuals track everything from weather to wildlife movement to landscape conditions, and they serve as sounding boards for citizens in their communities. They communicate with Fish and Game staff on a regular basis. Depending on the winter and issues that arise, meetings or conference calls take place monthly, bi-weekly, even weekly. Communication happens daily if needs be.

The WFAC can make feeding recommendations to Fish and Game for staff consideration. However, the final decision is left to the Fish and Game regional supervisor.

This year’s WFAC members for the southeast region are David Priestley, Preston, 208-339-0227; Dennis Caywood, Montpelier, 208-847-1386 or 208-847-2119; and Sid Cellan, Soda Springs, 208-390-7057

There are currently two vacant positions in Pocatello/Inkom areas. Positions will be filled soon.

The public may call their WFAC representative or the Idaho Fish and Game office at 208-232-4703 with any comments or questions regarding wintering wildlife and feeding concerns.

What factors determine a winter feeding emergency?

Fish and Game personnel and the WFACs in each region of the state have developed a set of criteria that, when met, can trigger a winter feeding emergency.

Factors considered include snow depths, subzero daytime temperatures, crusted snow, animal condition, number of animals, winter range condition and the expected number of days of winter conditions remaining. It often takes a combination of factors for an emergency situation to exist.

It may also be necessary to “bait” animals away from highways or railroads for the safety of people and the animals. “Baiting” is also used to draw animals away from haystacks on private property when other deterrents such as fencing and “hazing” do not work.

The bottom line in making the decision to feed is determining if a period of critical stress has been reached such that significant losses of adult reproductive does will occur, or if extensive property damage situations exist for private landowners.

Why not just feed wildlife?

First, winter conditions are not so much a “lack of feed” issue for game as much as it is a “fat burning” issue. Ongoing research shows that if animals, especially fawns and calves, enter the winter months with a sufficient amount of fat on their bodies and have access to critical winter range that provides refuge from disturbance, cold temperatures and deep snows, then then they can survive the winter months with little feed.

Second, winter feeding of big game is often detrimental to wildlife.

When animals congregate at artificial feeding sites, the transmission of eye diseases, respiratory ailments and brucellosis (in elk) are enhanced.

Concentrated animals compete aggressively for artificial feed even when dispersed properly, often with young animals losing to the adults.

Animals concentrated at artificial feeding sites draw in predators, such as mountain lions and coyotes, because they are able to hunt in one specific area that has consistent prey over time.

Natural forage in the immediate vicinity of a feed site becomes overused and damaged, and may not recover, especially if the same site is used for artificial feeding year after year.

Feed sites can stop animals in their tracks, and prevent them from finishing their traditional migratory routes. Animals will become accustomed to the sites and begin looking for them year after year.

What kind of winter are we having?

According to Idaho SNOTEL data reported by the USDA/NRCS, areas of the southeast region are registering between 149 and 176 percent of normal moisture.

This data is not to be confused with snow levels. Moisture is a measure of water content in snow as well as a measure of rainfall. So even though there are bare hillsides and open areas in fields around Pocatello, for example, we are still sitting at a current snow water equivalent of 165 percent.

Temperatures did drop severely during the first week of January, with some negative double digits reported throughout the region. Recent “warming” trends and rain in parts of the region were certainly welcome. However, that is a recipe for crusting snow, which can be difficult for animals to navigate and paw through.

That being said, deer and elk went into the winter months in very good condition this winter season supported by fall checkstation data and some current, though incomplete, capture data.

Any areas of concern?

The WFAC and Idaho Fish and Game are monitoring daily the snow conditions around the region, making note of areas where wildlife are moving and stationing.

Concerns now are mostly with elk depredations on haystacks and road crossings by elk (especially near Montpelier and Banida). Fish and Game staff is working tirelessly on hazing efforts throughout the region, and baiting operations are starting in the Banks Valley and Dingle areas to deter elk from highways and private property. Other areas being closely monitored include Georgetown Canyon, Montpelier Canyon, and the Dayton-Clifton area.

The WFAC has been in regular contact with staff and our next conference call is Monday to address any issues that may have arisen since our last meeting on Jan. 5.

Again, Fish and Game is monitoring winter conditions and wildlife situations around the region very closely and will implement emergency feeding if deemed necessary.

Jennifer Jackson is the regional conservation educator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Southeast Region.

It is still 2016, so a hunter’s thoughts are probably not on the 2017 fall deer hunt right now. However, winter is the perfect time to get you or your favorite outdoor buddy into hunter and bowhunter education classes.

All individuals born after Jan. 1, 1975, must complete a hunter education course to purchase an Idaho hunting license or show proof of a previously held valid hunting license in Idaho or another state. Hunters of any age cannot participate in an archery-only hunting season in Idaho unless they have successfully completed bowhunter’s education or can demonstrate they have bowhunted in another state.

If you know of someone who wants to hunt next fall, or maybe even next spring, there is no better time to sign up for classes than the new year.

To register, go to idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/education. There you will find classes and field days that are currently open. You’ll also find information about the types of hunter or bowhunter education classes that fit you or your “hunter-to-be” the best.

Don’t see a class or field day that works for you? Maybe there isn’t a class listed in your area yet. Just wait. Instructors are sending us their schedules even as you are reading this. So check back frequently to see what is being added to Fish and Game’s hunter ed class list.

Many people, especially youths, thrive in an instructor-led class format where information is shared by an experienced, certified hunter-education instructor and questions can be asked by students. These classes also incorporate a field day and sometimes even a live-fire range experience that can be really fun and educational for everyone. At a cost of $8 for the course, the instructor-led class is a real bargain.

Other people can’t quite mesh their busy schedules with available classes and find it more convenient to take the online course. The link for the online course option for both hunter and bowhunter students is on our Hunter Education webpage.

Each course costs approximately $25, and a field day is still required at an additional cost of $8. There will be numerous field days offered throughout the year in the southeast region, starting with eight in Pocatello in January and February.

Online courses are not recommended for individuals younger than 14 because of the level of difficulty associated with the courses; however, that is left to the discretion of the parent and student.

Another option for those who wish to work at their own pace is the independent study workbook. Just head to your nearest Fish and Game office, where you can purchase your Hunter or Bowhunter Education workbook for $8. Upon its completion, you must register for a field day (at no additional cost) to complete your certification.

Those who complete their coursework online or through the workbook option can register for their field days on our Hunter Education webpage at idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/education.

If the instructor-led class or the field day you want is full, it can’t hurt to show up anyway. Many times, registered students fail to show up to a class or field day, and there is space available. Most instructors are able to take walk-ins.

If you don’t have access to the internet or just need help registering, Fish and Game staff would be happy to answer questions over the phone at 208-232-4703. Or feel free to stop by the office at 1345 Barton Road for assistance.

Make it your New Year’s resolution to sign up early for Hunter Education in 2017. Classes and field days will be added throughout the year, so check the Hunter Education webpage frequently.

Just don’t count on taking a class in September or October, as classes during that time are limited in number. Our volunteer instructors like to spend time in the great outdoors like all of us, especially during hunting season.

Jennifer Jackson is the regional conservation educator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, southeast region.

Thanksgiving hasn’t even arrived, and I am already thinking about Christmas gifts for family and friends. I feel like Christmas tries to arrive earlier each year — and here I am writing an article that is only going to contribute to that trend.

My intention is to hopefully spare some of you from the madness of Black Friday crowds — though that kind of excursion is an exciting “Olympic” event for those who are properly coached and trained. There is a simpler way to fill those Christmas wish lists, especially for those who are hard to buy for.

Shop at your local Fish and Game office.

For your favorite hunter or angler of any age, consider buying a gift certificate that can be used toward the purchase of licenses, tags or permits. Attach the certificate to a box of shotgun shells or to a headlamp or stuffed inside a pair of new wool socks, and you have a fun and useful gift any sportsperson would be thrilled to receive.

Keep in mind that certificates must be redeemed at a Fish and Game office, but the great thing is that a gift certificate from Fish and Game is never the wrong size or wrong color for those on your list. For those of you who tend to wait until the last minute, gift certificates can be purchased any time — even on Dec. 24.

Maybe you have a wildlife watcher in the family. Both the “Idaho Birding Trail Guide” priced at $5 and the “Idaho Watchable Wildlife Guide” priced at $10 make great gifts at great prices. Both guides are filled with beautiful color pictures and a wealth of information about Idaho’s wildlife and viewing areas. And money generated from the sale of these books supports Fish and Game’s non-game program.

The Fish and Game office in Pocatello also has a nice selection of extraordinary pencil sketches by the late Pocatello artist Edson Fichter. Unframed prints showcasing various wildlife species come in all sizes and start as low as $15. All money generated from the purchases of the Edson Fichter prints goes toward the continual maintenance and improvements of the wonderful Edson Fichter Nature Area in Pocatello near Indian Hills Elementary School.

Of course, it doesn’t take money to remember family and friends during the holidays or to simply spend time together. It is fun and inexpensive to just get outside and enjoy Idaho’s backyard.

Get your kids bundled up for an outdoor excursion and play “Outdoor Bingo.” You can make your own Bingo cards out of small square pieces of poster board. Using a permanent marker and a ruler, divide the square up into equally spaced columns and rows. Maybe start off with three rows by three columns, though you can make your Bingo cards larger if you would like.

In each little square on the card, place a picture or a sticker of an animal, plant or landscape feature you might encounter on your adventure. Though you can reuse pictures for each card, be sure to vary the pattern a bit so that each card is different. And, don’t forget, the center square is labeled “free space” — everyone gets to mark that one off.

During your outing, keep an eye out for birds, wildlife tracks, deer, a creek, an icicle, an animal’s burrow — and mark them on your Bingo card. If you laminate the cards, you can use dry erase pens for marking the squares. That way the cards can be used multiple times. Wrap the cards up with ribbon, attach some packets of instant cocoa to enjoy when your game is over, and you have a fun stocking stuffer that promises to deliver on hours of outdoor fun and quality family time.

Hopefully, these gift giving ideas will help you go a little “wild” this holiday season without spending many “bucks” and will help build some great outdoor memories for you and yours.

Jennifer Jackson is the regional conservation educator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, southeast region.