New Greenfield Elk Hunts Require Special Precautions

By Mike Demick and Clay Hickey - Idaho Department of Fish and Game Scheduling hunting seasons to accommodate a variety of users with individual preferences is a challenging mission for 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, 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. A new "green-field hunt" for antlerless elk will begin August 1 this year in the Palouse Zone, containing big game management units 8, 8A and 11A of the Clearwater Region. This hunt opens only outside National Forest boundaries within one mile of private fields on which cultivated crops are currently growing. Interested hunters are encouraged to review page 41 of the 2004 Big Game Seasons Rules booklet for more information. 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, these early hunts have generated public concern over three main issues: orphaning of yearling 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. The intent of this hunt is to help resolve crop damage by elk and does not include hayfields or pastures that are not irrigated. Typical August temperatures in the Clearwater Region may reach more than 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. Fish and Game predicts that this hunt will be a challenging experience for most hunters. Based on difficult hunting conditions and results from previous greenfield 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 hunters should be sensitive to these landowner concerns. Mike Demick is the Regional Conservation Educator and Clay Hickey is the Landowner/Sportsmen Coordinator for IDFG in the Clearwater Region.