Wolf Trapping Seasons Open This Month

The wolf trapping season opens Friday, November 15, in the wolf management zones in northern and eastern parts of the state. The trapping seasons runs through March 31 in the Panhandle zone, except in parts of units 2 and 3, and in the Lolo, Selway, Middle Fork zone; Salmon and Island Park zones. Trapping season also runs through March 31 in the Palouse-Hells Canyon Zone units 13 and 18 on private lands only - closed in units 8, 8A, 11 and 11A; and in the Dworshak-Elk City zone, except Unit 10A, which opens February 1. In the McCall-Weiser Zone, trapping runs through March 15 in units 19A and 25 and on private land only in unit 22. Units 23, 24, 31, 32 and 32A are closed. All other zones are closed to trapping. Trappers must complete a required wolf trapping class before they can buy wolf trapping tags. Licensed trappers may buy up to five wolf trapping tags per trapping season for use in those zones with an open wolf trapping season. In addition, up to five wolf hunting tags may be purchased per calendar year for hunting. Unused wolf hunting tags may be used to tag trapped wolves in wolf zones with an open trapping and hunting season. Trappers should note that bag limits are not the same for all the wolf zones. Only three wolf trapping tags may be used in the McCall-Weiser, Salmon and Island Park zones. Wolf tags cost $11.50 for resident hunters, and $31.75 for nonresidents. Trapping tags are valid for the trapping season, but wolf hunting tags are valid only for the calendar year. Additional details on wolf hunting and trapping seasons and rules are available online at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/rules/?getPage=63, and in the printed 2013 Big Game Seasons and Rules brochure, available at all license vendors and Fish and Game offices. While trapping has been part of the landscape in Idaho, Fish and Game reminds hound hunters, hunters with bird dogs, and people with pets that trappers have an increased interest to be in the woods because of the wolf trapping season. People with pets should know how to release a pet that is caught in a foothold trap or neck snare. Trapping regulations prohibit traps from the center and within 5 feet of center line of all maintained designated public trails and from the surface and right of way of all maintained designated public roads. Ground traps are prohibited within 300 feet of any designated public campground, picnic area and trailhead.