February Facebook Contest & Giveaway

You want this "one-size-fits-most" Sitka cap?  Of course you do.  Here is how it works: 1. Befriend me on Facebook here, if you haven't already. 2. Once on my Facebook wall, post a picture of the most scenic spot in your state.  We all know Idaho is the most scenic, but it's nice to see other places too. 3. With your photo, you have to include this comment...

Read More

"The Simplot Saga"

One more quick hit for today. If you live in Idaho, or you just want to understand the basis for how this state was built, Forbes magazine has a lengthy and in-depth piece called "The Simplot Saga." What J.R. did, and what his legacy is doing today, intimately affects most parts of Idaho politics in one way or another.  And that includes issues regarding Idaho's land...

Read More

OK, I Will Say Something About Sage Grouse

But not much.  I know that I should be more attuned to the sage grouse situation.  I just can't get too excited about it, and since this site is about what interests me, I'm going to let it go by offering up a couple of recent news articles on the situation.  In case you're interested. Here is an AP article which reports than an Idaho federal judge ruled against environmental groups who were appealing for instant and greater protection of the sage grouse.  And here is Rocky Barker's take on the sticky situation in the Idaho...

Read More

Public Meeting On Proposed Caribou Critical Habitat Gets Feisty

Back in the news again are our 3 caribou, and the feds' plan to section off 600 square miles of N. Idaho and Washington as critical habitat for the trio.  Of note, again, is that 3 caribou is the average count over the past several years.  Last year, no caribou were counted in Idaho or Washington. That has locals wondering why we need critical habitat for a species that is virtually not there.  Ah hah, says the environmental groups, accusing the locals of missing the point.  And that shouldn't need much explaining. By policy,...

Read More

2012 Hunting Legislation

Unfortunately, the legislators are convening in Boise, and doing what they do best. There's a few bills brewing in Boise that concern hunting, and the stench is thick, palpable. First is Senate Bill 1282, and it may be the lesser of evils. This would allow landowners in the Landowner Appreciation Program to sell their tags to the highest bidder. In exchange for that right,...

Read More

Round 1: Sawtooth Elk Zone vs. Teton Elk Zone

This is the seventh installment on a series of posts comparing Idaho's any-weapon, antlered, general season elk hunts. For an intro to this series, go here. For the first post in this series, read Dworshak Elk Zone vs. Bear River Elk Zone.For the second post in this series, read Snake River Elk Zone vs. Palisades Elk Zone.For the third post in this series, read Palouse...

Read More

2 Headed Trout in SE Idaho - Simplot Selenium Pollution

Trout deformities have been popping up in SE Idaho creeks that sit underneath Simplot's Smoky Canyon Phosphate Mine.  There would appear to be a connection to selenium pollution. Simplot's goal of maintaining no more that 22 parts per million of selenium in creek water is often exceeded, according to an independent environmental report, and the two-headed trout is the...

Read More

Game Management & The Idaho - Montana Divide

Jefferson County, MT ranchers want to institute a county bounty program for wolves.  You can read all about that here at the Billings Gazette. If you remember, I suggested that the issue of bounties should be revisited in this post back in December.  I knew that sooner or later bounties would enter the discussion amongst those fed up with wolves. But a county bounty program seems problematic for several reasons, one of which is that there can be a lot of fraud with bounties.  I don't know how a county could provide bounties without...

Read More

It's February. Pray For Mule Deer Fawns

Fawn survival and recruitment is the key to healthy mule deer populations, and it's not an easy thing to achieve in Idaho.  Fawns have a rough time of it, and who knows what kind of a winter will be in store from year to year.  Fortunately, we have had a mild winter so far.  But just as challenging is the job of the wildlife biologists to predict survival,...

Read More

Upcoming IF&G Public Meetings

Don't just moan and cry on internet discussion boards.  Help destroy that perception, along with the other one that may be more true of the majority of hunters - hunter apathy. Anyway, here's your chance at something more.  IF&G will be holding these public info meetings: Idaho Falls, 2/28/2012, 7 PM, Idaho Falls IF&G Regional Office Rexburg, 3/1/2012, 7 PM, Madison Middle School Media Center Grangeville, 2/27/2012, 5 PM, Senior Citizen Center Moscow, 2/29/2012, 5 PM, Latah County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building Orofino, 3/1/2012,...

Read More

Deer & Elk Outlook For 2012

In case you missed what IF&G officials reported to the Commission recently, here is the low-down from IF&G website: Deer and elk numbers are meeting management objectives in most parts of the state, but some hunter numbers are down slightly, Fish and Game officials told the Idaho Fish and Game Commission Thursday, January 26. Female elk numbers meet or exceed objectives in 21 of 29 elk management zones; they are below objectives in eight zones. Bull elk meet or exceed objectives in 20 zones and are below objectives in nine. Fish...

Read More

Facebook Contest Winning Photo

Travis Olsen was the lucky winner in January's photo contest on Idaho Man's Facebook page.  The prize was a year subscription to Extreme Elk Magazine, a new magazine focusing on DIY elk hunting.  Stay tuned for the February contest rules and prizes. Here's the shot, a beautiful sunrise over Mt. McCaleb near Mackay, ID: Congratulations, Travis!   ~ J. ...

Read More

Idaho Elk: A Perfect Storm Of Polemics

In pitting the polemics of two different views against each other, sometimes the truth seems to be lost, sifted carelessly down to the ground between the two poles. Talk to ranchers and sportsmen, and you'll quickly find that they want every wolf in the world dead. Incidentally, I'm pretty much on board with that. I've never been a canine fan anyway. I see wolves as just overgrown coyotes, i.e. - nuisances. Now, of course, I don't want every wolf in the world dead. I just want the ones that were introduced into Idaho by the federal government...

Read More

Round 1: Middle Fork Elk Zone vs. Dworshak Elk Zone

This is the sixth installment on a series of posts comparing Idaho's any-weapon, antlered, general season elk hunts. For an intro to this series, go here. For the first post in this series, read Dworshak Elk Zone vs. Bear River Elk Zone.For the second post in this series, read Snake River Elk Zone vs. Palisades Elk Zone.For the third post in this series, read Palouse Elk...

Read More

Friday Roundup & Some Things To Come

Here's a few things to get you through your weekend, and a look forward to some things coming down the pipeline for next week. First, I'm giving away a free subscription to Extreme Elk Magazine via a Facebook contest.  Let me make it easy for you, all you have to do is go here, befriend me, and post a hunting, fishing, or outdoors photo on my wall.  The person with the most likes before the deadline on Jan. 31, 2012, will win the magazine subscription.  The only rule is that the photo must be taken in Idaho, unless you're an out...

Read More

Facebook Contest & Giveaway! - Prize: Subscription To Extreme Elk Magazine

Befriend me on Facebook.  Then enter the contest: Contest & Giveaway: Post an Idaho hunting, fishing, or outdoors photo on Idahoman's Facebook page.  Then get all of your friends to "like" your photo.  The person with the most "likes" wins a 1 - year subscription to Extreme Elk Magazine, including an elk hunting DVD.  Contest ends at midnight on 1/31/12! You...

Read More

Place: Hidden Springs, Idaho

...

Read More