Idfg Goes Airborne

IDAHO FALLS - Santa isn't the only one getting ready to fly soon, IDFG is also making preparations to use rented helicopters and planes for wildlife management purposes starting next week. While IDFG flies year-round, a majority of projects take place during the winter when animals move out into the open on winter range. IDFG uses various types of airships to perform tasks such as big game aerial surveys and animal trapping for research purposes. Because wildlife management related activities require low-level flights (flying at altitudes under 500 feet) that often draw the attention of the public, it is Department policy that the public be informed when such activities are scheduled to take place. "Scheduled" is the operative word, because a variety of factors must come together for a flight to occur. Weather conditions and availability of airships can cause plans to be changed at a moments notice. Because many operations such as mule deer trapping require extensive ground preparation and volunteer support, the fickle nature of flight related logistics can become quite a challenge for wildlife managers. This year IDFG will be flying to work with a variety of species. According to Regional Wildlife Manager Daryl Meints in Idaho Falls, "Not only will we be flying for projects with deer and elk, we will also fly as part of upcoming work with bighorn sheep, mountain goats and moose!" The hiring of qualified pilots and airships does not come cheap, but it is part of what is necessary to properly accomplish the type of monitoring and trapping that IDFG must do for the benefit of both wildlife and sportsmen. Because wildlife related flights involve working at low altitudes and in less than perfect weather conditions, the work is not without risks. Four years ago, a crash in the Clearwater Region claimed the life of IDFG Wildlife Research Biologist Michael Gratson and his hired pilot. Since that time, IDFG has worked to restructure policies and procedures to hopefully lessen the chance of incidents and insure a more positive outcome should they occur.