IDAHO FALLS - As the snows of winter start to push deer, elk, and moose onto their winter ranges, the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) 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.
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 IDFG 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, IDFG relies on the use of rented airships, mainly helicopters. According to Upper Snake Region Wildlife Manager Curtis Hendricks, “We try to avoid the timing with any hunts occurring, but there could be a few conflicts that might arise.” IDFG uses various types of airships to perform tasks such as big game aerial surveys and animal trapping for research purposes. While IDFG flies year-round, the majority of projects take place during the winter when animals move out into the open on winter range.
Because wildlife related flights involve working at low altitudes and in less than perfect weather conditions, the work is not without risks. With the boom in the availability of personal drones, it is important that owners of private drones stay clear of areas when IDFG is doing its low-level flying.