Here are the numbers for two Salmon region check stations operated over the weekend of October 20 & 21 with comparisons (in parentheses) to the same period in 2017.
Carmen Check Station - Highway 93, north of Salmon
- Numbers of hunters through station - 241 (251)
- Numbers of elk checked - 14 (9)
- Numbers of deer checked - 48 (28)
Stephens Gulch Check Station – Highway 93, north of Challis
- Numbers of hunters through station - 231 (344)
- Numbers of elk checked – 12 (20)
- Numbers of deer checked - 32 (25)
Hunter success rates at both check stations were higher these two days compared to the same period last year. Overall harvest rates at Carmen increased from 14.74 percent in 2017 to 25.73 percent in 2018. Success rates at the Stephens Gulch station was up slightly as well, with 13.08 percent in 2017 to 19.05 percent in 2018.
Check stations provide a snap shot of what hunting was like early in the season, but there's lots more deer and elk hunting available in the Salmon region this fall.
Hunters are reminded that many check stations are “management stations” where the main goal is to collect data from harvested animals and interview hunters. However, Fish and Game also pays attention to any rule violations encountered. The department has taken the top five most common hunting violations and created short videos explaining the reason for each rule and what hunters can do to stay in compliance. The videos are available at https://idfg.idaho.gov/blog/2017/10/how-avoid-common-hunting-violations
- Failure to stop at a check station: All hunters, anglers, and trappers with or without game, must stop and report at each check station they encounter during their travel to and from their hunting locations.
- Failure to preserve evidence of sex and species: Even in either-sex hunts, the head or other evidence of sex needs to be naturally attached to the carcass until you get it home. In hunts with point restrictions, the antlers must accompany the carcass. In seasons restricted to mule deer only or white-tailed deer only, if the head is removed, the fully-haired tail must be left naturally attached to a portion.
- Shooting from or across a public highway or right of way: Shooting from or across a public highway or road right of way is a public safety issue for both the shooter and people traveling on the road.
- Possession and Transportation without Proxy Statement: A proxy statement is required to transport wildlife taken by another person.
- Failure to properly validate your tag: Make sure the notches for the correct day and month are fully removed from the tag immediately after you harvest the animal. The tag also must be attached to the largest part of the carcass. If your tag is faded, write in the month and date and cut two notches, which will legally validate it. Check stations workers are aware of faded tags and know how to deal with them. Details on these rules and a blank proxy statement can be found on page 100 in the Big Game Seasons and Rules book.