Author: By Mike Demick Idaho Fish and Game

04MAR

As winter lingers, responsible shed hunting is critical for big game

As anxious shed antler hunters prepare to take to Idaho’s hills in search of fresh bounty, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game urges them to avoid stressing wildlife trying to survive the late winter storms.

Shed antlers from deer, elk and moose are commonly found in areas where they spend the winter months. Typically, mule deer and moose shed in late December through January, and elk shed from mid-winter through April.

While there are no seasons directly related to shed hunting in Idaho, unfortunately, many take to the field to gather antlers during the worst time of the year for the animals.

Wintering big game animals are very susceptible to any kind of disturbance whether it is from passing motorists, domestic dogs, predators or shed hunters in late winter and early spring. There is growing concern over shed hunters putting additional stress on wintering big game in many areas of the state, especially in areas that have seen more severe winter weather this year.

“Above average snow depth and crusting due to freezing and thawing is already starting to show its effects on deer fawn survival, and any added stress will only multiply the loss,” said Dennis Newman, Salmon Region wildlife manager.

At this time of year, deer and elk rely on their body reserves and what little nutrition they can get from surrounding vegetation. Any extra movement an animal makes costs energy and that depletes the little energy it has left. Energy depletion can lead to sickness and oftentimes death, especially for fawns and calves at this critical time of year.

A significant portion of fawn mortality occurs in March, and some animals may be pushed over the edge unintentionally by the very people who want to see them during the fall hunting seasons.

As winter snow and cold temperatures continue, shed hunters can alleviate potential negative impacts to big game by following these simple steps while still enjoying their sport:

Delay your search. Shed hunters are urged to delay their search until late spring, well after big game herds leave their winter range. Displacing big game animals from their winter range and repeated disturbance during the most critical part of the year can have dire consequences. A single instance of human disturbance alone may not be that disruptive to animals already stressed by winter, but consider several days of human disturbance.

Watch from a distance. Modern optics provides the ability to watch wildlife from great distances. Use them and you will be much more likely to pick up sheds later and the animal will be better off.

Respect private lands and follow all road and area restrictions. Like all outdoor recreationists, antler hunters must secure landowner permission to cross or look for antlers on private land. In addition, they must abide by all travel restrictions on federal and state public lands. Keep in mind that some public lands are closed temporarily to motorized access during the winter months and early spring to provide security areas free of disturbance. In the Salmon area, this includes public lands in the Agency Creek- Warm Springs area, and other areas identified on BLM and Forest Service travel plan maps. For questions about travel management plans or areas managed for wintering wildlife, contact your local U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, or Fish and Game regional office.

Park and walk. Do not take motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails — travel by foot or horseback instead. Not only is off-road travel illegal in most areas, but substantial fines are issued to those that don’t follow the laws. In addition, even if motorized access is allowed on designated roads and trails, shed hunters should seriously consider the potential impact to wildlife and damage they may cause to saturated roads. Keep in mind that just because you can drive somewhere doesn’t mean you should.

Keep dogs under your control. Though your dog may not chase deer or elk, its presence alone may be enough to cause animals to expend unnecessary energy they would not have otherwise used. To deer and elk, a dog is a predator and the impacts of free-running dogs on withering game can be substantial. Remember, it is illegal to allow dogs to chase or harass deer and elk.

Can I keep it? Shed antler hunters can only lawfully possess antlers that are shed naturally from big game, from animals that have died of natural causes or from a road kill as long as the person completes the self-issued Salvage Permit available at idfg.idaho.gov/species/roadkill. The horns of bighorn sheep that have died of natural causes may be recovered but may not be sold, bartered or transferred to another person without a permit from Fish and Game. Bighorn sheep horns must be permanently marked with a metal pin at an Idaho Fish and Game regional office within 30 days of recovery.

Keeping these points in mind when shed hunting will ensure that undue stresses on animals will be avoided or minimized. Some thought and consideration ahead of time can greatly minimize your impact on local wintering wildlife herds and increase your enjoyment in the field.

04MAR

As winter lingers, responsible shed hunting is critical for big game

As anxious shed antler hunters prepare to take to Idaho’s hills in search of fresh bounty, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game urges them to avoid stressing wildlife trying to survive the late winter storms.

Shed antlers from deer, elk and moose are commonly found in areas where they spend the winter months. Typically, mule deer and moose shed in late December through January, and elk shed from mid-winter through April.

While there are no seasons directly related to shed hunting in Idaho, unfortunately, many take to the field to gather antlers during the worst time of the year for the animals.

Wintering big game animals are very susceptible to any kind of disturbance whether it is from passing motorists, domestic dogs, predators or shed hunters in late winter and early spring. There is growing concern over shed hunters putting additional stress on wintering big game in many areas of the state, especially in areas that have seen more severe winter weather this year.

“Above average snow depth and crusting due to freezing and thawing is already starting to show its effects on deer fawn survival, and any added stress will only multiply the loss,” said Dennis Newman, Salmon Region wildlife manager.

At this time of year, deer and elk rely on their body reserves and what little nutrition they can get from surrounding vegetation. Any extra movement an animal makes costs energy and that depletes the little energy it has left. Energy depletion can lead to sickness and oftentimes death, especially for fawns and calves at this critical time of year.

A significant portion of fawn mortality occurs in March, and some animals may be pushed over the edge unintentionally by the very people who want to see them during the fall hunting seasons.

As winter snow and cold temperatures continue, shed hunters can alleviate potential negative impacts to big game by following these simple steps while still enjoying their sport:

Delay your search. Shed hunters are urged to delay their search until late spring, well after big game herds leave their winter range. Displacing big game animals from their winter range and repeated disturbance during the most critical part of the year can have dire consequences. A single instance of human disturbance alone may not be that disruptive to animals already stressed by winter, but consider several days of human disturbance.

Watch from a distance. Modern optics provides the ability to watch wildlife from great distances. Use them and you will be much more likely to pick up sheds later and the animal will be better off.

Respect private lands and follow all road and area restrictions. Like all outdoor recreationists, antler hunters must secure landowner permission to cross or look for antlers on private land. In addition, they must abide by all travel restrictions on federal and state public lands. Keep in mind that some public lands are closed temporarily to motorized access during the winter months and early spring to provide security areas free of disturbance. In the Salmon area, this includes public lands in the Agency Creek- Warm Springs area, and other areas identified on BLM and Forest Service travel plan maps. For questions about travel management plans or areas managed for wintering wildlife, contact your local U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, or Fish and Game regional office.

Park and walk. Do not take motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails — travel by foot or horseback instead. Not only is off-road travel illegal in most areas, but substantial fines are issued to those that don’t follow the laws. In addition, even if motorized access is allowed on designated roads and trails, shed hunters should seriously consider the potential impact to wildlife and damage they may cause to saturated roads. Keep in mind that just because you can drive somewhere doesn’t mean you should.

Keep dogs under your control. Though your dog may not chase deer or elk, its presence alone may be enough to cause animals to expend unnecessary energy they would not have otherwise used. To deer and elk, a dog is a predator and the impacts of free-running dogs on withering game can be substantial. Remember, it is illegal to allow dogs to chase or harass deer and elk.

Can I keep it? Shed antler hunters can only lawfully possess antlers that are shed naturally from big game, from animals that have died of natural causes or from a road kill as long as the person completes the self-issued Salvage Permit available at idfg.idaho.gov/species/roadkill. The horns of bighorn sheep that have died of natural causes may be recovered but may not be sold, bartered or transferred to another person without a permit from Fish and Game. Bighorn sheep horns must be permanently marked with a metal pin at an Idaho Fish and Game regional office within 30 days of recovery.

Keeping these points in mind when shed hunting will ensure that undue stresses on animals will be avoided or minimized. Some thought and consideration ahead of time can greatly minimize your impact on local wintering wildlife herds and increase your enjoyment in the field.

21AUG

Public’s help sought in pronghorn poaching near Stanley

An illegally killed pronghorn buck was discovered recently near Stanley, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game is asking the public for information to bring the poacher to justice.

While working in the Stanley area on Aug. 14, Fish and Game conservation officers Johnathan Beer and Malcolm Clemenhagen found the carcass of a young pronghorn buck approximately 130 yards east of Highway 75 near the junction with Pettit Lake Road. Based on the location, Beer believes the pronghorn buck was likely shot from the highway. The entire carcass was left to rot.

“The pronghorn was likely shot with a small caliber bullet, .223 or smaller, sometime the early morning we discovered it,” Beer said.

The archery season for pronghorn opened in the area the next day. Evidence was collected at the scene, but Beer hopes to learn more about the case from any eyewitness or others who have knowledge of the incident.

“Someone in addition to the poacher knows about this, and we’d like to visit with them,” Beer said.

Citizens Against Poaching is offering a reward for information and callers can remain anonymous. Call the CAP hotline at 1-800-632-5999 twenty four hours a day. In addition to the CAP hotline, persons with information regarding this case may also contact the Fish and Game in Salmon at 208-756-2271.

19JUN

PRIVY ART: Artists and students add flair to outdoor restrooms along Salmon River

Privy, latrine, commode — there are many names for an outhouse.

These small, yet convenient outdoor restrooms have been answering desperate calls of nature for years at boating and fishing access areas across the state. But along the Salmon River between Challis and North Fork, seven of these plain-looking structures have been transformed into works of art.

Several local artists and high school art students have volunteered their talents to paint colorful murals inside and outside, transforming them into something the nearby communities can be proud of and visitors appreciate.

“The results are original works of art that receive far less abuse and require less maintenance over the long term,” said Caryll McConnell, an Idaho Fish and Game employee who spearheads the effort. “It’s been rewarding and fun, a win-win approach for everyone.”

McConnell, a self-described “hobby artist” who majored in art in college, also works seasonally for Fish and Game to maintain boating and fishing access sites in the Salmon-Challis area. She and others thought combining art with community involvement as a creative approach to reduce vandalism, maintain cleanliness and instill community pride in these sites.

“The idea is simple,” she said. “Utilize local people and their talents to promote a sense of pride and ownership in these facilities, and so far it’s been working nicely.”

According to McConnell, very minor vandalism has occurred at a few sites, but not nearly as much as in the past.

Kid’s Creek Pond in Salmon was the first roadside bathroom to receive an artistic makeover in 2012. This popular area is owned by the city of Salmon and co-managed by Idaho Fish and Game, which regularly stocks rainbow trout and excess hatchery steelhead and salmon for anglers. The area is also utilized by local educators as an outdoor classroom.

After receiving complaints that the restroom building was unsightly and just didn’t match such a nice area, McConnell pitched her community art idea to a friend, Meri Galvan, a Salmon High School art educator. It turned out both the art concept and location were perfect.

After practice painting native fish in the classroom, Galvan and 14 of her students painted an underwater mural on the interior and a colorful fishing scene on the exterior. The fish displayed reflect the personalities of the many artists in true collaboration.

Their work is also signed and personalized so everyone knows this was a community project and completely original.

“It was exciting to watch the artwork develop and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the creative process,” McConnell said.

Twenty miles south of Salmon on Highway 93, an eye-catching bull elk and wildflowers decorate the exterior walls of a small restroom at the Elk Bend boating access site, as vivid Sockeye and Chinook salmon, steelhead and sturgeon enhance the interior. Artists of the Lemhi Art Guild of Salmon transformed this once drab building into a bright, attractive bathroom in 2014.

“The artists literally put the elk in Elk Bend and salmon along the Salmon River,” McConnell said with a smile.

Artwork at the Colston access site, located 12 miles south of Elk Bend, was made possible by the Challis Arts Council. Three youth and four adult artists, under the guidance of artist Sahra Beauprè, designed and painted a colorful mural, depicting the surrounding Salmon River country. Six shaded campsites along the river and a natural boat ramp make this a very popular year-round destination.

Summer boaters, picnickers and steelhead anglers will enjoy a Salmon River sunrise over the nearby Bitterroot Mountains at the Carmen Bridge access site, located four miles north of Salmon. Six students from the Upper Carmen Charter High School captured this nearby scene in 2018, one week before commencement.

“This marked the last year the school was in operation, so it was a fitting tribute to a great little school,” McConnell said.

Bathrooms at the Lemhi Hole, Bobcat Gulch and Red Rock access sites have also been transformed by local artists Cheryl Detwiler-Mihalka, Lynn Federspiel-Young, Heidi Messner, Nancy Russell, as well as McConnell. Native fish and wildlife commonly observed in the area adorn the interior walls at each site.

“At Bobcat Gulch, we decided to exhibit creatures you really don’t want in camp,” said McConnell, referring to the skunk, mountain lion, rattlesnake, raccoons and black bear family. “But they’re actually quite beautiful to see, especially in paint.”

At Red Rock, one of the busiest access sites along the river, the artists used a creative method known as Zentangle to exhibit local river wildlife. This modern approach uses bright colors within shapes in repetitive patterns. A bighorn ram, osprey, otter, kingfisher, crane, heron and various native fish now provide visitors an appealing view rather than featureless interior walls.

“Creativity is contagious,” McConnell said. “And we’re working on it — one beautiful outhouse at a time.”

Funding to purchase and maintain Idaho’s 300-plus boating and fishing access sites managed by Fish and Game comes from the purchases of hunting and fishing licenses, tags and permits, along with an excise tax on hunting and fishing equipment.

A single-page brochure with Highway 93 milepost location, artist’s names and photographs of each site is available at the Fish and Game office in Salmon. Another useful guide is the Salmon Region Access Guide, which highlights most sites from the Stanley Basin to Corn Creek, as well as sites along the Lemhi River. This guide is also available in print at the Salmon Fish and Game office.

18JUN

PRIVY ART: A new look for plain, vandal-prone outdoor restrooms

Privy, latrine, commode — there are many names for an outhouse.

These small, yet convenient outdoor restrooms have been answering desperate calls of nature for years at boating and fishing access areas across the state. But along the Salmon River between Challis and North Fork, seven of these plain-looking structures have been transformed into works of art.

Several local artists and high school art students have volunteered their talents to paint colorful murals inside and outside, transforming them into something the nearby communities can be proud of and visitors appreciate.

“The results are original works of art that receive far less abuse and require less maintenance over the long term,” said Caryll McConnell, an Idaho Fish and Game employee who spearheads the effort. “It’s been rewarding and fun, a win-win approach for everyone.”

McConnell, a self-described “hobby artist” who majored in art in college, also works seasonally for Fish and Game to maintain boating and fishing access sites in the Salmon-Challis area. She and others thought combining art with community involvement as a creative approach to reduce vandalism, maintain cleanliness and instill community pride in these sites.

“The idea is simple,” she said. “Utilize local people and their talents to promote a sense of pride and ownership in these facilities, and so far it’s been working nicely.”

According to McConnell, very minor vandalism has occurred at a few sites, but not nearly as much as in the past.

Kid’s Creek Pond in Salmon was the first roadside bathroom to receive an artistic makeover in 2012. This popular area is owned by the city of Salmon and co-managed by Idaho Fish and Game, which regularly stocks rainbow trout and excess hatchery steelhead and salmon for anglers. The area is also utilized by local educators as an outdoor classroom.

After receiving complaints that the restroom building was unsightly and just didn’t match such a nice area, McConnell pitched her community art idea to a friend, Meri Galvan, a Salmon High School art educator. It turned out both the art concept and location were perfect.

After practice painting native fish in the classroom, Galvan and 14 of her students painted an underwater mural on the interior and a colorful fishing scene on the exterior. The fish displayed reflect the personalities of the many artists in true collaboration. Their work is also signed and personalized so everyone knows this was a community project and completely original.

“It was exciting to watch the artwork develop and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the creative process,” McConnell said.

Twenty miles south of Salmon on Highway 93, an eye-catching bull elk and wildflowers decorate the exterior walls of a small restroom at the Elk Bend boating access site, as vivid Sockeye and Chinook salmon, steelhead and sturgeon enhance the interior. Artists of the Lemhi Art Guild of Salmon transformed this once drab building into a bright, attractive bathroom in 2014.

“The artists literally put the elk in Elk Bend and salmon along the Salmon River,” McConnell said with a smile.

Artwork at the Colston access site, located 12 miles south of Elk Bend, was made possible by the Challis Arts Council. Three youth and four adult artists, under the guidance of artist Sahra Beauprè, designed and painted a colorful mural, depicting the surrounding Salmon River country. Six shaded campsites along the river and a natural boat ramp make this a very popular year-round destination.

Summer boaters, picnickers and steelhead anglers will enjoy a Salmon River sunrise over the nearby Bitterroot Mountains at the Carmen Bridge access site, located four miles north of Salmon. Six students from the Upper Carmen Charter High School captured this nearby scene in 2018, one week before commencement.

“This marked the last year the school was in operation, so it was a fitting tribute to a great little school,” McConnell said.

Bathrooms at the Lemhi Hole, Bobcat Gulch and Red Rock access sites have also been transformed by local artists Cheryl Detwiler-Mihalka, Lynn Federspiel-Young, Heidi Messner, Nancy Russell, as well as McConnell. Native fish and wildlife commonly observed in the area adorn the interior walls at each site.

“At Bobcat Gulch, we decided to exhibit creatures you really don’t want in camp,” said McConnell, referring to the skunk, mountain lion, rattlesnake, raccoons and black bear family. “But they’re actually quite beautiful to see, especially in paint.”

At Red Rock, one of the busiest access sites along the river, the artists used a creative method known as Zentangle to exhibit local river wildlife. This modern approach uses bright colors within shapes in repetitive patterns. A bighorn ram, osprey, otter, kingfisher, crane, heron and various native fish now provide visitors an appealing view rather than featureless interior walls.

“Creativity is contagious,” McConnell said. “And we’re working on it — one beautiful outhouse at a time.”

Funding to purchase and maintain Idaho’s 300-plus boating and fishing access sites managed by Fish and Game comes from the purchases of hunting and fishing licenses, tags and permits, along with an excise tax on hunting and fishing equipment.

A single-page brochure with Highway 93 milepost location, artist’s names and photographs of each site is available at the Fish and Game office in Salmon. Another useful guide is the Salmon Region Access Guide, which highlights most sites from the Stanley Basin to Corn Creek, as well as sites along the Lemhi River. This guide is also available in print at the Salmon Fish and Game office.

23MAY

Top 10 tips for fishing with kids

Fishing can be a fun sport for kids and parents. Besides spending quality time together outdoors, families can get away from their hectic schedules and enjoy a sun-filled day laughing, talking and enjoying the fresh air.

But introducing young children to the sport, which may seem daunting for some, is actually easy with a little forethought.

“The big thing is patience,” says Greg Schoby, fisheries manager for Idaho Department of Fish and Game in Salmon. “Be positive, make it fun — and remember it’s not just your fishing trip — it’s their fishing trip, too.”

Parents should also consider their role as fishing coach as an investment with payoffs in the future.

“If you’re patient and do it right, pay-back time will come later when they take you fishing,” Schoby says.

Idaho Fish and Game recommends keeping these ten simple tips in mind to help ensure your young child loves fishing from the get-go:

1. Catching is key: Getting kids hooked on fishing is about getting a fish on the line fast. And for kids, it’s about numbers caught — not how big. Finding a well-stocked pond or lake is essential. Idaho Fish and Game makes finding local family-friendly fishing locations easy. Visit idfg.idaho.gov/fish/family-fishing-waters for locations, tips, events and more.

2. Keep it simple: Short, lightweight poles and closed-face reels are good choices. A few small hooks, a few 1-inch bobbers and sinkers is all you need to get started. If you lack equipment or have never fished before, Idaho Fish and Game’s Take Me Fishing trailers are loaded with loaner fishing rods, tackle, bait and are staffed by experienced anglers that can help. These trailers make appearances at well-stocked fishing holes throughout the state. For a list of free events in your area, visit idfg.idaho.gov/fish/trailers.

3. Keep it short: The younger the child, the shorter the attention span. If the fish aren’t biting, don’t keep kids held hostage watching their fishing poles. Allow some breaks for rock skipping, enjoying some beach time — whatever keeps them happy and lets them enjoy the outdoors. And don’t be surprised if catching fish isn’t their first priority. Just remember: As your child’s attention span gets longer, so will your fishing trips.

4. Be patient: Accept that you will be unsnagging lines, baiting hooks and probably not fishing much yourself. They will probably get a few tangles, dirty or even a little wet. But remember, the quickest way to turn children off to fishing is to get frustrated with them. Keeping patient and the outing short — under an hour for beginners — will set you on course for cultivating a lifelong fishing buddy.

5. Snack breaks: Pack a cooler with sandwiches and lots of snacks like granola bars, crackers, peanuts, and a treat or two. Fish for 30 minutes or so and then take a break. Fish for 30 minutes and then take another break. Snacks with breaks can help with moments of frustration and will keep the kids interested longer.

6. Remember the essentials: Besides hook, line and sinkers, be sure to take sunscreen, bug repellant, drinks, a few Band-Aids and a fishing license if required. Resident youth 13 years old or younger do not need a fishing license, but those 14 years and older are required to have a license in their possession while fishing.

7. Never waste teaching moments: Fishing is not only about just catching fish — creating memories and learning are what’s important. Capitalize on moments to teach them — tell them about bugs, birds, plants, and fish. The outdoors is the best kind of classroom and kids will soak it up like a sponge.

8. Keep a few: Catch and release is an important aspect of angling, but there’s nothing wrong with keeping a few for the pan if the fishing rules allow. It can also open their minds on where the food they eat comes from. Just like agriculture, it is important to open your kid’s mind on where people get their food.

9. Leave it better than you found it: Remember to pack out your garbage and encourage kids to pick up, too. These lessons mold responsible and conscientious anglers helping to ensure the future of our sport.

10. Good times again: If you want your kids to go fishing again, the “fun” part is most important. Choose a sunny day, take photographs, and just have a good time watching them have a good time. Keep this in mind and regardless of the number of fish caught, each outing will be a success.

09OCT

Tips for a safe hunting season

With many hunters heading outdoors with firearms, it is a good time to think about gun safety.

Some people have the mistaken impression that because firearms are used, hunting is a dangerous activity. While there is always the potential that a hunter will be involved in a firearm accident, statistics show that a hunter is far more likely to be seriously injured while driving to a hunting location than while actively hunting.

More than 200,000 people hunt in Idaho each year. Even with that many people in the field, there are typically very few, if any, hunting accidents involving firearms. Fortunately, the rare hunting accident is usually non-fatal. But even one accident is too many because every hunting accident can be prevented. Human error or inattention is what leads to firearm accidents.

In the hope that there are no firearm accidents this fall, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game offers these gun safety tips:

Treat every firearm as if it is loaded. When another person hands you a firearm, assume it is loaded even if you are told it is not. Ask anyone handing you a firearm to open the action before they hand it to you.

Always control the muzzle of your firearm. As long as the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction, nobody is likely to get hurt even if the firearm discharges unexpectedly. A safety is a mechanical device which can fail, so there is no instance where you can disregard where the muzzle is pointing simply because the safety is on.

Never touch the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Keep your fingers away from the trigger while loading or unloading. Never pull the trigger on any firearm with the safety on or anywhere in between “safe” and “fire.” Again, the gun’s safety serves as a supplement to proper gun handling but cannot serve as a substitute for common sense.

Never point a firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. Carry and use binoculars to check out the hillside. Never look through your scope at something you cannot identify.

Be certain of your target and what is beyond it. A safe hunter never shoots at sound or movement. A safe hunter makes certain that movement or sound is a game animal that is in season before pointing a muzzle. Prior to taking a shot, a hunter must check the background for other people, livestock, buildings, equipment or roads to make sure there is a safe backstop.

Mistaking a person for game is one of the most common causes of hunting accidents in Idaho, often serious or fatal. One way to make sure every other person in the field can clearly identify you is by wearing hunter orange. While recommended for safety for those on both sides of the gun, Idaho is one of few states where hunter orange is not required, except for hunters on wildlife management areas where pheasants are stocked during the pheasant season. A hunter orange hat meets this requirement.

Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting. Make a habit to check your barrel often. Even a small bit of mud, snow, excess lubricating oil or grease in the bore can cause the barrel to bulge or worse — explode.

The same can happen by placing a smaller gauge or caliber cartridge into a gun, such as a 20-gauge shell in a 12-gauge shotgun. This can result in the smaller cartridge acting as an obstruction when a cartridge of proper size is fired. Always pay close attention to each cartridge you insert into your firearm and only carry the correct ammunition for the gun you’re carrying.

Never cross a fence, climb a tree or perform any awkward action with a loaded gun. There will be times when common sense and the basic rules of firearms safety will require you to unload your gun for maximum safety. Never pull or push a loaded firearm toward yourself or another person.

Store firearms and ammunition separately. While most gun owners consider this most of the year, many leave guns and ammunition in their vehicles during the hunting season. It goes without saying firearms should be unloaded for safety when in the vehicle. Ammunition should always be inaccessible to children.

Alcohol and guns don’t mix. If there is alcohol in your hunting camp, make certain all firearms are put away before the alcohol comes out. Showing your hunting partner grandpa’s old rifle after you have a few beers can lead to a tragic mistake.

Don’t be timid when it comes to gun safety. Don’t hesitate to let your hunting partners know when you think they are putting themselves or others at risk. Gun safety starts with you.

09NOV

Deadline for Angler Opinion Survey approaching

Interested anglers are reminded they have through Nov. 13 to take part in an online survey about fishing in Idaho.

The survey, offered every five or six years, covers a variety of topics including how often people fish and their preferred fish species, what types of fishing regulations they support, and what important conservation priorities Fish and Game should pursue.

Fish and Game is also interested in learning more about what other values are important to anglers, such as solitude or natural beauty.

The survey helps Fish and Game understand what anglers want, measure how well their expectations are being met, and to help focus Department efforts on activities that benefit both fish and anglers. Information collected will help Fish and Game propose draft fish management direction for the next six years.

The survey is available on Idaho’s Fish and Game’s website and at https://idfg.idaho.gov/form/open-survey-2017-idaho-angler-opinion-survey. It should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

19SEP

Youth waterfowl weekend and pheasant hunts begin soon

Young hunters will soon have an early shot at waterfowl and pheasants, with Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 marking the youth waterfowl weekend and Oct. 7 to 13 set for the youth pheasant hunt.

At least one adult 18 years old or older with a valid hunting license must accompany each youth hunting party into the field at all times. Adults are not allowed to hunt waterfowl or pheasants during these hunts.

Waterfowl

The two-day youth waterfowl weekend is set for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Duck, goose, snipe and coot seasons are open statewide for hunters 17 years of age and younger only these two days.

Bag limits for ducks and geese are the same as for the general season. Hunters must have a valid Idaho hunting license and a migratory bird (HIP) Permit. But a federal migratory Bird (Duck) stamp is not required for hunters 15 and under.

All other state and federal migratory game bird hunting rules and regulations apply.

See the 2017 Migratory Game Bird Seasons and Rules brochure available at Fish and Game license vendors and online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/rules/migratory for details.

Pheasant

Properly licensed youth 15 years old and younger can participate in the youth pheasant hunt that runs from Oct. 7 through Oct. 13.

The hunt opens a half hour before sunrise, except on C.J. Strike, Cartier Slough, Fort Boise, Market Lake, Montour, Mud Lake, Niagara Springs, Payette River and Sterling wildlife management areas where pheasants are stocked, when shooting hours begin at 10 a.m.

The daily bag limit is three cocks, and the possession limit is nine, except on nine WMAs in southern Idaho where pheasants are stocked. On these WMAs, the daily limit is two cocks and six in possession.

Youth hunters do not need a WMA upland game bird permit but are required to wear hunter orange above the waist during the pheasant season while hunting on these WMA’s. A hunter orange hat meets this requirement.

For details, see the 2016-2017 Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules brochure available at Fish and Game license vendors and online at idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/rules/upland-furbearer-turkey.