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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Place: Hidden Springs, Idaho

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The Sheep That Stopped The Grizzly

Sarah Gilman of High Country News provided us with an informative piece on the little sheep station that could - talking, of course, about the feds' ARS Sheep Experiment Station.  The station, headquartered near Dubois, ID, has been minding its own business for years, providing research information to the sheep industry.  But then came the grizzly bear, the Endangered Species Act, and other federal agencies whose conservationist mandates have come into direct conflict with the station's sheep experimentation. The place is the Centennial...

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Squeaking & Why The Caribou Issue Is Important

As I reported here and here, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service has proposed that nearly 600 square miles of North Idaho and Eastern Washington be designated as critical habitat for the woodland caribou that frequent the area.  And just to give you some specific numbers, in case you are just getting up to speed on the issue, we are talking about 3 caribou that are sometimes seen in Idaho.  No caribou have been counted in Washington.  Most of the woodland caribou reside permanently in British Columbia. But this 600 square...

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Round 1: Panhandle Elk Zone vs. Tex Creek Elk Zone

This is the fifth 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 Zone...

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Interview With Idaho Waterfowl Association - Part 4

One of the hot topics facing the Idaho outdoorsman is the issue of guided bird hunts.  Currently, Idaho does not license and allow guided waterfowl hunts (actually, there are 4 licensed guides grandfathered in after the moratorium), but it is considering changing that.  Believe it or not, change from that current structure will have all sorts of impacts...

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Why Sagebrush Matters

It is estimated that nearly 50% of Idaho is sagebrush steppe rangeland/high desert.  Mule deer, elk, and antelope depend upon it for protection and concealment, and coyotes and mountain lions find it ideal for stalking stealthily through.  Hawks and eagles battle with the squirrels and rabbits continually, and the battlefield is that sagebrush covered high desert. It...

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IF&G Listens; Summit Dates Changed - But will the new days work?

Idaho Fish & Game moved the Summit dates back to August 24-26, 2012, due to complaints from archery hunters who were upset that the Summit had initially been planned on the opening weekend of archery season. But the Summit's very own intention was to garner discussion with the public about the IF&G's mandate.  The initial dates were simply poor planning.  The complaints were the reason the dates were moved back. Unfortunately, archery hunters are now complaining that the earlier dates that are now set are when they are in the...

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Interview With Idaho Waterfowl Association - Part 3

One of the hot topics facing the Idaho outdoorsman is the issue of guided bird hunts.  Currently, Idaho does not license and allow guided waterfowl hunts (actually, there are 4 licensed guides grandfathered in after the moratorium), but it is considering changing that.  Believe it or not, change from that current structure will have all sorts of impacts on...

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IF&G May Be Softening On Summit Dates

As reported earlier, the IF&G planned their Summit, a three day public input opportunity on all things Fish & Game related, on the opening weekend of archery season.  That was a good way to start the Summit - with a move that shows that the IF&G is out of touch with the ones it serves.  Turns out, the complaining has been heard, and the dates may be softening. From Local News 8: The summit is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 7 through Sept. 9, but that's the beginning of archery season. Gamblin said he is hearing people's...

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Wolf Harvest Update 1/12/2012

Just a few observations. Too bad that the wolf seasons in Beaverhead and Island Park had to close at the end of the year without the quotas even being close to filled. Not sure of the reasoning here. Maybe they thought elk wintering would get disturbed with the hunting, or... I don't know. I'm kind of surprised that zero wolves were taken out of the Southern Idaho Zone....

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Place: Island Park, Idaho

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