Fish and Game Begins Winter Trapping and Animal Counts Using Helicopters in Southeast Idaho

As the winter snows start to push deer, elk, and moose onto their winter ranges, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is undertaking some important management activities that rely on the use of hired helicopters. Some of the time helicopters will carry staff to count wildlife or shoot net guns to capture animals. Other times the helicopters will be used like a cowboy and cutting horse to select animals to be driven into waiting nets. Once captured the animals will have biological information collected and radio collars attached before being released. Because the general big game hunting seasons are over, and only trappers and hardcore small game hunters are still out in the field, this means that Fish and Game will be able to get out and do some of their population study work without disturbing too many sportsmen. In order to get a bird's eye view when it comes to monitoring big game populations of deer and elk, Fish and Game relies on the use of rented airships, mainly helicopters. "Many people do not realize that Fish and Game doesn't own a single helicopter or plane. All our flying is done using hired aircraft," said Gregg Losinski, Fish and Game conservation educator based in Idaho Falls. Fish and Game uses various types of airships to perform tasks such as big game aerial surveys and animal trapping for research purposes. While the department flies year-round, the majority of projects take place during the winter when animals move out into the open on winter range. Because wildlife management related activities require low-level flights (flying at altitudes under 500 feet) that often draw the attention of the public, it is Department policy that the public be informed when such activities are scheduled to take place. "Scheduled" is the operative word, because a variety of factors must come together for a flight to occur. Weather conditions and availability of airships can cause plans to be changed at a moment's notice. Because wildlife related flights involve working at low altitudes and in less than perfect weather conditions, the work is not without risks. Over the recent past, two crashes have claimed the life of three Fish and Game biologists and two hired pilots. Aircraft crews are always vigilant, watching for new cellular and wind towers while doing their wildlife flights. With the boom in the availability of personal drones, it is important that owners of private drones stay clear of areas when Fish and Game is conducting its low-level flying.