In brief: Idaho expands wolf hunting, trapping parameters
LEWISTON – Wolf-hunting season will be open 365 days a year on private property in North Idaho’s Clearwater Region.
The Lewiston Tribune reported that the Fish and Game Commission made the rule change in the last week as part of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s 2014 Big Game Hunting Rules Package.
The commission also moved up the opening of wolf-trapping season in the Lolo and Selway zones.
The commission in 2012 approved year-round wolf hunting on private land in the Panhandle Region. Adding the Clearwater Region means wolf hunting on most private land from the Canadian border to the Salmon River is legal in Idaho.
Dave Cadwallader, supervisor of the department’s Clearwater Region at Lewiston, said the change likely won’t greatly increase the number of wolves killed in the region. He said it’s mainly to give private landowners the ability to kill wolves to protect property.
“It gives them an opportunity to help themselves if that is what they need,” he said. “In the end, I don’t think you are going to see an active hunting effort.”
He said the change in the Panhandle Region hasn’t resulted in a large increase in wolves being killed.
Drug bust yields $800,000 haul
IDAHO FALLS – Eastern Idaho law enforcement officials said they seized $800,000 worth of drugs as well as weapons following a two-month investigation.
Bonneville County Sheriff Paul Wilde said the seizure Thursday is one of the biggest so far this year.
Police took into custody 34-year-old Alejandro Martinez-Zavala, 40-year-old Miguel Guiterrez-Munoz and 36-year-old Ramon Meraz-Gallegos.
They face charges of trafficking of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine.
The investigation by the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Falls Police Department, Idaho State Police, Bureau of Homeland Security, FBI and Immigration Customs Enforcement allegedly found the three selling large quantities of drugs in the community.
In the raid on Thursday, police seized 17 pounds of meth, about 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana and 46 grams of cocaine.
Police also seized an AK-47 and $8,300 in cash.