January 2000

Despite warm, dry hunting conditions last fall, hunter success in general elk hunts was actually higher than in 1998. Many hunters complained about the weather conditions during the October elk season and game managers anticipated mediocre harvest numbers, but newly available statistics indicate better hunting than expected. Estimates based on telephone surveys of hunters have just been completed. Figures for controlled elk hunts and for deer seasons are still being compiled. Statistics from the mandatory hunter harvest report system are not yet available because hunters have been slower to file their reports than they were last year. Previous experience indicates, however, that the two different methods of estimating hunter harvest are closely comparable. The estimates for 1999 general elk seasons show more hunters taking part_82,391 compared to 80,700 in 1998_with a hunter success rate of 14.4 percent last fall versus 12.9 percent in 1998. The total estimated general elk harvest was 10,983 last fall and 10,386 in 1998. Total days spent afield by hunters was also up slightly. The survey shows a slight shift toward taking younger bulls with 39 percent being spikes versus 34.4 percent in 1998. The harvest of big bulls, six points or better, was down from 24 percent in 1998 to 20 percent last fall. The Panhandle Zone had far more hunters than any other of the 28 elk hunting zones in Idaho.

By Gregg Losinski Upper Snake Region Conservation Educator Monopoly is a fun board game and hunting is a wholesome sport, but lying to the judge about poaching is a dangerous game. A father and son poaching team from Sugar City broke the law and then gambled on a lie. They lost and drew the "GO DIRECTLY TO JAIL" card from the chance card stack. Early this December, after receiving reports of spotlighting on previous mornings, Senior Conservation Officers Joe Curry, John Hanson and Justin Williams headed out north of Ashton in the early morning hours. Once they arrived in the area where the previous nocturnal poaching had been reported, they set up a full-sized elk mount. Conservation officers across the nation have made such simulated wildlife a standard part of the toolbox they use to catch poachers. When problems occur, the simulated wildlife is placed in the problem area, but with a safe backstop in case a poacher shoots. In this case, the officers picked the right tool for the job. Nearly two hours before legal shooting hours, conservation officers observed Clayton Perry, 67, and David Perry, 39, of Sugar City use their vehicle headlights to illuminate the fake elk and each shoot at it. This was not the first time that the father and son team had been cited for spotlighting, or various other fish and game violations, but soon they would be graduating to a higher crime by committing perjury before a judge. Later, the two appeared in Fremont County Court before Judge Keith Walker regarding the December spotlighting citations. When asked under oath by the judge if they had previous records, both lied and replied "No." Based on these responses, the judge handed down what would have been a typical sentence.

Airborne biologists are busy across Idaho as weather conditions for counting big game have improved in recent days. The herds in about one-third of Idaho's 99 hunting units will be surveyed this winter. Manpower, equipment and funding constraints do not allow surveying in all units every year. However, aerial surveys have been stepped up considerably since 1998 when big game hunters started paying slightly more for their tags, money that goes mostly toward improved surveys. Fish and Game is pursuing a "pretty aggressive survey schedule through the winter," according to wildlife biologist Jon Rachael. These direct observations of wintering big game animals are compared with prior surveys of the same areas. This information will be combined with hunter harvest data to aid the department in coming up with recommendations to the Fish and Game Commission for fall hunting seasons. The pressure is on for the next few weeks as biologists hustle to develop adequate information and analysis for the Commission. Recommendations for deer and elk seasons must be completed for the March Commission meeting. The public will have the opportunity to comment on the department's ideas in February, before final recommendations are presented to the Commission. Aerial surveys were delayed this winter in most areas of the state because autumn weather continued late into the year. Animals remained scattered and a lack of snow made accurate counting difficult. After snow did fall, weather such as dense fog and stormy conditions made counting impossible for many days.

How many Idahoans are ready to give time, labor and materials to help fish and wildlife? One good indication is the Fish and Game volunteer and reservist program. In 1999, more than 5,000 volunteers and reservists gave about 100,000 hours of labor and more than $200,000 worth of equipment and materials toward Fish and Game programs and projects. The calculated monetary value of time and materials came to a total of well over $1 million. Volunteers and reservists participated in most phases of Fish and Game operations, serving more than 100 functions ranging from computer programming to picking up roadkill to relocating big game and birds. Many offer specialized skills and bring their own tools to do jobs that would otherwise be a large hit on the sportsman's license dollar, or might not be done at all. Materials and equipment volunteers and reservists brought with them included everything from airplanes to mules and packhorses, to tracking dogs to welders.

ST. ANTHONY - Monopoly is a fun board game and hunting is a wholesome sport, but lying to the judge about poaching is a dangerous game. A father and son poaching team from Sugar City broke the law and then gambled on a lie. They lost and drew the "GO DIRECTLY TO JAIL" card from the chance card stack. Early this December, after receiving reports of spotlighting on previous mornings, Senior Conservation Officers Joe Curry, John Hanson and Justin William headed out north of Ashton in the early morning hours. Once they arrived in the area where the previous nocturnal poaching had been reported they set up full-sized taxidermy elk. Conservation officers across the nation have made such simulated wildlife a standard part of the toolbox they use to catch poachers. When problems occur, the simulated wildlife is placed in the problem area, but with a safe backstop in case a poacher shoots. In this case, the officers picked the right tool for the job. Nearly two hours before legal shooting hours, conservation officers observed Clayton Perry (Age 67) & David Perry (Age 39) of Sugar City use their vehicle headlights to illuminate the faux elk and each shoot at it. Unfortunately, this was not the first time that the father and son team had been cited for spotlighting, or various other fish & game violations, but soon they would be graduating to a higher crimes by committing perjury before a judge. Later, the two appeared in Fremont County Court before Judge Keith Walker regarding the December spotlighting citations. When asked under oath by the judge if they had previous records, both lied and replied "No." Based on these responses, the judge handed down what would have been a typical sentence. But shortly afterward, when the judge learned that the men had lied, they were summoned back for a sentencing review. This time when they appeared before the judge and their true histories were presented a much different sentence was handed down.