Green-field Hunts of the Palouse Require Special Adjustments

By David Beaver - Idaho Department of Fish and Game Scheduling hunting seasons to accommodate a variety of users with individual preferences is a challenging mission for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. There are special weapon hunts, controlled hunts, depredation hunts and general hunts for a variety of species for a variety of people. Some hunters want various seasons to overlap or opening days to coincide, while others want the exact opposite. Landowners with agricultural crops have increasingly expressed their concerns about crop damage and increasing populations. Consequently, regulations become more complex as Fish and Game attempts to accommodate everyone. Traditionally, the months of September through November have been recognized as the time to hunt, and in general, most big game seasons fall within this framework. However, to accommodate the public's desire to hold special weapon seasons separate from general rifle season, or to address depredation problems, some hunts are held in August or December. This year marks the second consecutive "green-field hunt" for the Palouse zone big game management units 8, 8A and 11A of the Clearwater Region. This hunt has been implemented as a means of helping landowners reduce crop damage and provide additional opportunities for hunters. These hunts are for antlerless elk and begin August 1 and continue through September 15. These hunts are open only outside the National Forest Boundary and within one mile of cultivated fields. Hunters are encouraged to review page 47 of the 2005 Big Game Regulations for additional details. This elk hunt, as well as four other zones in Idaho, is scheduled in August as a result of depredation problems and a need to control populations causing crop damage by harvesting or discouraging animals in specific areas or portions of units. These hunts have been successful in reducing landowner conflicts in other portions of the State. However, they have generated public concern over three issues; orphaning of calf elk, meat spoilage and trespass problems. Big game species give birth in late May through early June. Unlike their domestic counterparts, wild ungulates are weaned rapidly. Although they may continue to attempt to nurse longer, dependence on milk is over by the time they are four to six weeks old. By late July, all of the young of that year are able to survive on their own. Consequently, Fish and Game does not open hunts prior to late July and any big game hunting allowed prior to August 15 is done only as needed to resolve crop depredation. Typical August temperatures in the Clearwater Region may reach over 100 degrees. Because hunters have an ethical and legal obligation to salvage the edible portions of their kill, meat spoilage is an especially important concern during these warm weather conditions. Beginning the cooling process quickly is the key to preserving meat. Harvested animals should be immediately skinned, reduced to quarters in most cases and quickly transported to cold storage facilities. Early season hunters often use large ice chests to keep their game both cool and clean. Additionally, removing the meat from the bone greatly speeds cooling. Fish and Game predicts that this hunt will be a challenging experience for most hunters. Based on difficult hunting conditions and results from previous green-field hunts in other areas, hunter success is expected to be low. To increase success and avoid conflicts, hunters are encouraged to visit with landowners to obtain permission and scout the area before the season begins. Since this hunt will occur on or near predominately private land, hunters are encouraged to be aware of Idaho trespass laws. Additionally, many landowners have concerns about fire danger and crop damage and hunters should be sensitive to these landowner concerns. David Beaver is the Landowner/Sportsmen Coordinator for IDFG in the Clearwater Region.