Bring Radio Collars Out

Idaho Fish and Game wants hunters to bring radio collars out of the field with them. Those that do are eligible for a reward. Contrary to some beliefs, hunters will not be in any trouble with the department if they take game birds and animals wearing radio collars so long as hunters are acting legally. In fact, it helps department research efforts and saves license dollars when hunters return radio collars. Fish and Game uses radio tracking collars on deer, elk, bighorn sheep, sage grouse, pheasants and sharp-tailed grouse throughout the state, as well as on nongame species such as swans and hawks. Radio collars are the department's best tool to study intricate movement patterns, habitat use and causes of death. Radio telemetry allows researchers to see into the lives of animals in order to protect, perpetuate and manage populations. If collars are left behind, researchers may be unable to tell whether an animal was legally harvested or killed by a predator. It is important to know the difference in the proper management of game and predators. Researchers often need to know as many details as possible from hunters about location of radio collar finds, but those "no-tell-um" favored hunting spots are not revealed.