Sandhill Crane Plan
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has sent a list of suggestions to the federal government to halt the destruction of crops by sandhill cranes, without resorting to sport-hunting the bird.
Commissioner Roy Brown of Soda Springs on Friday called for hunting the sandhills, saying they caused widespread damage to grain fields in his region.
The commission last year refused to change the classification of the sandhills from “protected non-game” to “game bird.” A special panel of biologists, legislators and farmers was established to find a solution.
It is an integrated approach which includes obtaining 20 kill permits from Fish and Wildlife as the preferred method of lethal control. The Idaho Fish and Game Department also would adopt early September Canada goose hunts in four counties to redistribute the cranes.
Another tenet is strategically located lure crops of up to 1,000 acres, funded by a private endowment. The cost of establishing 1,000 acres of barley would run up to $45,000, not including buying the land.
Brown said farmers will watch their crops suffer damage because it will take a long time to arrange for lure crops. Any kill permits would not be available for this fall, and federal officials likely will be reluctant to issue them for the rare bird.
Ducks Unlimited fund-raiser
The Spokane Valley Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will hold its annual fund-raiser on June 7.
The banquet and auction costs $50 for couples and $40 for singles, with cost including a Ducks Unlimited membership.
The fund-raiser begins at 4 p.m., with dinner at 7, and will be held at the Spokane Gun Club, E. 19165 Sprague. Info: Roy Jennings, 928-1984 or Joe Hagler 255-6235.
Rec area construction
Construction at the Roza and Squaw Creek recreation sites in the Yakima Valley Canyon will cause temporary closure of the areas in the coming weeks.
The Roza site is closed this week. The Squaw Creek site will be closed either during next week or June 3. Both sites will be open on all weekends and national holidays.
Check forest roads
Visitors to the Wallace and Fernan Ranger Districts in Idaho are urged to check road conditions before visiting as flooding has resulted in hazardous road conditions.
Campgrounds are expected to be ready for the Memorial Day weekend, but roads to some areas may take longer to repair.
Calls district offices in Silverton (208) 752-1221 and Coeur d’Alene (208) 769-3000 for latest conditions.
, DataTimes