Seen a Wolf or Grizzly Bear Lately? IDFG Wants to Know
IDAHO FALLS – Each year tens of thousands of hunters scour the woods of Idaho in search of game, and the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) is seeking their help. IDFG is asking sportsmen and others who may be in the field and observe wolves and grizzly bears to report the sighting. According to Regional Wildlife Manager Daryl Meints, “We know we’ve got plenty of wolves in the state, but as a condition of the wolf delisting we must be able to document 15 breeding pairs with pups each year in the state until 2016. We are asking that anyone who has specific information about wolf sightings to contact us.”
Obtaining detailed information about the specific whereabouts of wolves is critical because if 15 breeding pairs with pups must be documented by December 31st each year. IDFG is especially eager to hear from hunters who as part of preparation for this fall’s hunts might have recorded wolves on their trail cams. IDFG Biologists and Conservation Officers are making a push to radio collar as many breeding pairs as possible before the end of September, after which it becomes more difficult to differentiate adults from pups.
As part of ongoing recovery and management of grizzly bears the Department would also like to encourage reporting of any grizzly sightings. While observations can be made directly to the Upper Snake Regional Office at 208-525-7290, reports about wolf or grizzly sightings can be made using the online reporting form on the Fish and Game website. The user-friendly, step-by-step form takes only a few minutes to complete and can be accessed at:
WOLVES-
https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/species/observations/add?#speciesid=19117.
GRIZZLIES-
https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/species/observations/add?#speciesid=80240