Backcountry Area Shut To Allow Wolf Trapping

Federal officials have closed one of the most heavily used backcountry areas of the White Cloud Mountains to trap wolves.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorized a federal trapper to set out leg-hold traps along Pole Creek Road in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Friday after wolves killed three sheep earlier this week.

But because the traps can hurt people or their pets, Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor Bill LeVere allowed the federal Wildlife Services to close the road for up to seven days.

He cited public safety and the safety of children and dogs who may have planned to head into the backcountry.

But some people who do not know about the traps may still be in the backcountry.

The wolves are part of the 14-member Stanley pack, said Lynne Stone of the Boulder-White Clouds Council.

In the past year, Wildlife Services - formerly the Animal Damage Control - wiped out three central Idaho wolf packs after they tangled with livestock.

Stone is concerned that this incident will spell the end of the Stanley pack as well, she said.

The Pole Creek Road is closed at the trail head and will remain that way for about a week, LeVere said.

Muzzleloader ban

The Idaho Department of Lands led the way Aug. 17 in announcing more stringent fire-prevention rules on state and private forest land. The rules include a ban on discharge of muzzleloading weapons.

The restrictions do not apply on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service.

The restriction will not affect too many hunters. There is some state and private land in a current short-range weapons elk hunt in Units 23 and 24.

The rule will take the muzzleloader segment out of those areas, but the entire hunt is still open to hunting with a bow, crossbow, or shotgun.

Other changes were also adopted by the federal land management agencies. The new restrictions prohibit fires, including campfires in developed campgrounds. Gas and propane stoves are allowed. Motor vehicles may not be used off designated roads at any time. Previously this applied only to afternoon/evening hours. The restrictions are in place because of the tinder-dry condition of potential fuels. Hunters are encouraged to use extreme caution in the field.

Dove hunting rules

Dove and forest grouse hunters in Idaho will find rules for their seasons in the upland game proclamation booklet, available at license vendors, as well as Fish and Game offices.

Hunting seasons for mourning doves and forest grouse begin Sept. 1. Hunters should monitor current wildlands fire situations. Restrictions on travel and use of fire may still be in place when the seasons begin.

Dove hunters as well as crane and early season goose hunters need a $1.50 federal harvest information validation on their hunting licenses.

Sturgeon fishery to stay open

Columbia River fish managers decided that the sturgeon sport fishery closure contemplated for the lower Columbia River, downstream from the Wauna power lines, in early September won’t be needed.

Last month, managers decided to rescind the closures in the second half of August downstream from Wauna and in November upstream from there when it looked as if the sturgeon sport catch was falling short of predictions.

At that time, they announced they would still consider a closure Sept. 1-15 downstream from Wauna if it appeared the catch would otherwise top 40,000.