Hunting in Carnivore Country

Since wolves were introduced in Idaho's backcountry, game animals have adapted to the new predator; humans who spend time in the mountains find they too must learn to adapt to the growing presence of wolves. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game would like to remind hunters that proper handling of game is essential anywhere in Idaho to avoid conflicts with carnivores. Hunters who kill a big game animal should be aware that the gut pile and carcass attracts bears, wolves and other scavengers. Hunters in grizzly bear habitat should try to remove the meat the same day they kill the animal. Any bear that discovers an unattended carcass may try to defend it aggressively. Hunters should place the gut pile on a tarp and move it as far away from the carcass as possible, then use the tarp to cover the carcass. If the carcass must be left in the woods overnight in grizzly country, the hunter should try to place it so it can be seen from a distance away when the hunter returns. Quarters should be hung 10 feet high in or between two trees. Place clothes or articles with human scent around the carcass. When returning to the carcass, approach carefully. Yell or whistle repeatedly. Scan the area with binoculars. If a grizzly bear is at the site and refuses to leave, report the incident to Fish and Game. Do not attempt to frighten away or haze a grizzly that does not leave the carcass when it becomes aware of you. Wolves and black bears can be scared off a carcass. Hunters in grizzly country should always carry pepper spray. Shooting a grizzly may make it more aggressive. Though shooting a grizzly is allowed in self-defense, shooting it to protect a carcass is not. Here are a few things hunters can do to avoid having conflicts with wolves and other large carnivores:

• After you bag a big game animal, it is wise to immediately quarter and retrieve your kill. If you must leave it in the woods overnight, it is best to hang the meat if possible, or to skin it and cover it with a tarp or plastic and leave articles of clothing at the site.
• When you have retrieved your kill, hang it between two trees, preferably 10 feet off the ground and four feet from the nearest tree to keep bears and other animals from getting it. Also hang meat away from camp and stock so that if a large carnivore comes to investigate, it does not scare your stock.

Wolves are now well distributed throughout the forested areas of north, central, and south central Idaho. Houndsmen should look for recent wolf sign before turning dogs out on a bear or lion track. To prevent conflict between hounds and wolves, some hound experts recommend that dogs be kept on a leash while tracking until the track gets fresh. Hounds by themselves should not be allowed to keep an animal treed for very long, as the sound of the hounds may attract wolves.