The priority area designations were proposed by governors in 35 states under new authority in the latest federal farm bill. Each of the 50 areas proposed by Idaho Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter were approved by the Forest Service.
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Public Reminded to Heed Warning Signs BOZEMAN - As part of ongoing efforts required under the Endangered Species Act to monitor the population of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone ecosystem, the U.S. Geological Survey would like to inform the public that pre-baiting and scientific trapping operations will be conducted on private land in the southern Madison Mountains, Montana. In agreement with landowners, biologists, with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST), will be working from May 27th to June 15th on private land in southwest Montana. Trapping operations can include a variety of activities, but all areas where work is being conducted will have major access points marked with warning signs. It is critical that the public heed these signs.…
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Some guy back east was really looking at the property for a summer home, but he couldn't quite come up with the money, so that was a good thing in our favor.
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PHOENIX - As temperatures climb and Arizonans head north, human encounters with bears in the high country and in expanding mountain communities are on the increase. Arizona Game and Fish Department officials are asking people to "Be Bear Aware," especially while recreating in the cool pines during Memorial Day weekend. Homeowners and recreationists should take precautions to minimize potential conflicts with bears and other wildlife. Bear sightings also are on the increase around southern Arizona. The root cause of any human-wildlife encounter is typically food. Keep a clean camp. "Don't intentionally feed wildlife - it will just get you and the wild animal in trouble," said April Howard, the large carnivore biologist with Game and Fish. "Cook and eat your…
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The myth that birds will abandon their offspring once humans have handled them is just that: myth.
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Dr. Frank Rohwer, president of Delta Waterfowl has sent a letter to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office in California to oppose a recent decision to cease traditional migratory bird programming in order to address a growing backlog of permitting, research and evaluation needs related to wind and solar energy projects in the western United States. "This decision by the USFWS regional leadership is absolutely unacceptable," Rohwer said. "The Service cannot simply put on hold its long-standing and legal mandate to manage waterfowl." An internal USFWS memo written by Eric Davis, assistant regional director for USFWS Region 8, declares that traditional migratory bird responsibilities - including work on the Pacific Flyway Council, assistance to habitat joint ventures…
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Steve Pearce, R-N.M., has proposed legislation that would provide monument protection to 58,500 acres of the Organ Mountains. Only Congress can establish such wilderness areas, which carry more restrictive rules for use. Heinrich said "there are a handful of things that will still have to be addressed legislatively," including any new wilderness areas or changes to border enforcement and management policies.
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... Stieglitz and fellow officer Brian Flatter will discuss the different types of traps that might be encountered including foot-hold traps, body-gripping traps and snares, how each trap type works and how to safely release a pet from a trap. Other topics to be covered include trapping seasons, areas to avoid while walking your pet, trapping rules, and what to do if a trap is encountered. For more information regarding the trap awareness seminar, contact the Idaho Fish and Game Nampa...
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Idaho Department of Fish and Game is asking for the public's help regarding the recent poaching of an elk calf on Long Gulch Road, north of the town of Prairie, about 40 miles north of Mountain Home. The poaching incident occurred sometime between May 12th and 14th. Responding to the initial report, Fish and Game conservation officer Joey Ishida found the calf shot and left to waste about 25 yards off the Long Gulch Road. There is no open hunting season for elk in the Prairie...
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Across the Southwest, he said, 1 percent to 3 percent of the landscape is riparian area.
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