July 28, 2011 in Outdoors, Idaho

Idaho commission approves wolf hunt rules, dates

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BOISE — The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has approved a new set of rules guiding public hunting and trapping of wolves in the state’s forests and backcountry.

The rules and dates approved by the commission at its meeting Thursday in Salmon includes a few minor changes to the blueprint drafted by state wildlife managers.

Those tweaks include elevated kill limits in hunting zones in eastern Idaho and extending the hunting season in two northern hunting zones where the predators are blamed by outdoorsman for reducing elk populations.

The commission’s approval means the general wolf hunting season will have no quotas in about three-quarters of the territory now occupied by wolves.

Officials say Idaho will manage wolves and the hunt so that their population remains above 150 animals and 15 breeding pairs.

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Four comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  lowtechmaster on July 28 at 3:41 p.m.

  1. Trapping is “cruel and unusual punishment.” 2. With “no quotas,” how can Idaho even pretend to maintain “above 150 animals and 15 breeding pairs.” Are the hunters to determine which wolves are breeding pairs?? 3. How much of this hunt is about maintaining the burgeoning elk population and protecting domestic animals and how much is about folks who want a wolf trophy?

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  johnclarke on July 28 at 7:28 p.m.

  Yeah, I don’t think the wolves are a threat to the elk. In fact, they hell cull the herd. Whatever, they will not be happy until the wolves are dead.

• 

  MrBloggy on July 28 at 7:43 p.m.

  I’m guessing somewhere in the Old Testament it said bad things about wolves and that’s all the Idaho Legislature and Gov need.

  But srsly, if Idaho elk hunters could just get over the need to blast elks from the seats of their pickups and quads, and actually get a little exercise, maybe peaceful coexistence would be possible.

  Oh wait. There’s that pesky biblical thing. Nevermind.

• 

  lunceford on August 20 at 10:16 p.m.

  well, Mr. Bloggy i kind of like your point on conservative Idaho, but its mostly ignorance. Politicly i’m somewhere in the middle. I am in a way an environmentalist, but I’m also a hunter and a trapper. I would like to major in forestry or biology and i cherish/respect wildlife just as much as the next guy.
  As a whole i’m really adressing all three of you.

  Its not so much the government that allowed wolf trapping/hunting, but science. Before you call BS on that, just listen. foot traps are the most effective and efficient tool scientist have to capture and study illusive animals ALIVE. Nationally bobcats, wolves, and otter have been captured in foot traps and succesfully released by scientists. all three of those listed animals were captured for the purpose of study, and breeding in captivity to stabilize, and even reintroduce animals back into native habitats. Who do you think taught these scientist how to trap? the trappers. Trapping is a very useful, legitimate management practice.
  All game populations in the pacific Northwest are higher, and more stable than they were 200 years ago. Know why? Our scientist know what they ‘re doing.But wolves need to be managed, just like any other animal. JohnClarke, you ‘re right, the purpose of predators is to keep other animal populations in check. But wolf packs are putting alot of pressure on other animals as well. Not just elk.

  There is a certain amount of cruelty in all activities which pertain to the capture/killing of animals. There are many maimed game birds that are never found. Lots of big game animals also get away with fatal injuries that cause them to suffer until death. Not many people care for the suffering of fish but gasping for air in the bottom of a boat, they suffer too. And yes the amateur trapper might secure a trap poorly, or use the wrong type of trap. But lets talk about trapping itself, and bust a couple myths. Stories of animals being left in traps for days to suffer simply aren’t true. If there is an animal in a trap then hence that trap can no longer catch other animals. so trappers try to check traps often to increase productivity. and finally, canines will fight a trap hard so the trapper checks traps often to reduce suffering, and damage to fur, so that it does not lose value. Traps do not break the legs of animals, they are meant to restrain, not crush. Appropriate sized traps are used for the appropriate sized animal. part of that also goes back to quality of fur. About snares: they kill quickly and efficiently, bottom line.

  I could write more, buts thats a pretty good foundation of information people should grasp. Set aside some emotions. Like I said previously, wolves should be managed just like anything else.