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For more information regarding contest rules, questions and how you can donate to this event, please see below:
Idaho For Wildlife is excited to announce our Predator hunting contest and Fur Rendezvous for January 1-4th 2015!
It is the First Weekend of January, the kids are still on Christmas Break, the big game season is over and you have a serious case of cabin fever! So load up the family and drive to the beautiful Salmon and Lemhi valley for our 2nd annual Predator hunting contest! This year we added a 3rd day of hunting so those that can't hunt Sunday can still enjoy two days and will also be eligible to be enter and win in the contest.
In March of this year, Peterson's hunting magazine released a very informative article supporting coyote contests nationwide. Upon our request, they were kind enough to place this article on-line: http://www.petersenshunting.com/galleries/coyote-contests/
This predator contest will include the hunting of wolves and coyotes. Wolves are an aggressive predator that can be devastating to wildlife and livestock if not managed. Wolves are also considered a big game animal in Idaho and hunters are allowed to purchase up to 5 wolf tags per year. The success rate of wolf hunters with a rifle is less than 1% as wolves are extremely difficult to hunt. Last year we predicted that no one would shoot a wolf during our contest and we were correct. Hopefully this year we’ll have better luck!
Coyotes are not classified as a big game animal in Idaho and can be taken year-round in Idaho with no limit. Many people don’t realize the damage that coyotes can cause to our livestock producers and big game populations.
In 2014, Idaho Fish and game lowered the big game hunting age from 12 to 10 with the understanding that the 10-11 year olds need an adult or parent with them at all times. We do have youth that would love to hunt but need adult mentors so please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested and to learn more.
We have many incredible prizes to give away this year to the lucky winners! By the way we really appreciate the generosity of the Salmon businesses and people who are providing prizes! As the contest poster suggests, we are really looking out for the youth this year and want them to have a wonderful and safe experience! This past week, the Idaho Statesmen released an article about how tough a time it is for many in Salmon to make-ends-meet. So we made the easy decision to return 100% of the excess cash donations back to charitable needs for the Salmon valley. This $ will go to the Calvary Food Bank, The Lemhi After School program and we are especially excited to grant a $1,000.00 college scholarship to a lucky Salmon student! (At the bottom of this page there are instructions on how you can provide donations.)
We were saddened with the BLM’s decision to revoke our special recreational permit, once again caving in to the radical anti-hunting and environmental groups just as they did last year. BLM’s decision to rescind our recreational permit means that any coyotes or wolves taken on BLM land during the contest will not be eligible for the hunting contest. Does this mean that Idaho For Wildlife can tell hunters not to travel and hunt on BLM land? Absolutely not! All this means is that any predators taken on BLM land during the contest period cannot be entered into the competitive hunting event to win prizes or cash. Hunters who incidentally take a coyote or wolf on BLM land realize they cannot enter it into the competitive contest, but they can still sell their furs at the separate fur rendezvous to licensed fur buyers who will be on-site. They can also sell their furs at a later date to any licensed fur buyer in Idaho. We recognize that it would be illegal under Idaho law (statue #36-1510) for Idaho For Wildlife to intentionally interfere with the lawful taking or control of wildlife. Idaho also has a constitutional right to hunt and fish that we should never take for granted!
Oregon wolf activist Congressmen Peter DeFazio is doing everything in his power to stop this hunting contest. DeFazio is afraid we might accidently kill an Idaho wolf that might have made travel plans to Oregon and deprive his state of more wolves. It is confusing why DeFazio is so suddenly concerned about not having enough Idaho wolves after Idaho Governor "Butch" Otter felt so badly about the Oregon gray wolf killed by an Idaho hunter in 2012 that he offered to repay Oregon by 150-fold! Instead of taking Idaho’s generous offer of an extra 150 wolves, DeFazio is now leading the charge against the US Forest Service to have them stop the hunting contest in order protect wolves. Again we didn't take a single wolf last year during the contest but any opportunity for inflated rhetoric and misinformation, DeFazio’s is the animal rights activists champion! His efforts and alignment with his radical wolf advocates only further infringe on our state and private property rights here in Idaho. Oregonians, please tell DeFazio to start utilizing his valuable time more wisely on trying to save Oregon cities from bankruptcy due to his failed environmental policies and to stay home and get his own house in order! Please contact our US Senators and Congressmen (See Below) and let them know how you feel about DeFazio’s meddling in Idaho’s business. Also tell our Senators and Congressman how you feel about BLM’s decision to once again use their abusive power to infringe on our legal rights to participate in this hunting contest.
Congressman Raul Labrador
Congressman Mike Simpson
We are grateful for the Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Legislature and the IDFG commission for providing fair chase hunting opportunities such as what will occur during this event as a management tool to keep predators in check. Idaho Fish and game has a very simple predator management brochure available on their website that explains why they have to control predators. Idaho’s elk populations have been devastated in many of the high wolf density regions of the state due to wolf predation. Since wolves don’t self-regulate, they can reduce the prey populations so low they can fall into “Predator Pits.” Wolves can actually "Wink" out of the ecosystem once they have eliminated the prey base. Prudent wildlife managers in Alaska and Canada realize the importance of wolf control. As an example, the providence of Alberta has a current bounty on wolves with year around hunting in many areas. Canada has had far more experience with wolf management than the Lower 48 states and understands the devastation wolves cause to their big game populations and the livestock industry. The radical animal rights groups such as Defenders of Wildlife oppose this derby and last year they spread disingenuous misinformation far and wide claiming this would be a wolf slaughter even though not a single wolf was taken! Defenders of wildlife thrive on exploiting these wonderful traditional hunting opportunities with friends and family for the opportunity to raise more dollars to fight against our hunting heritage. One of the local Salmon outfitters had 53 different hunters in their camp the past 3 years and only 2 hunters saw wolves and not one wolf was harvested! Wolf experts know that sport hunting alone is not an effective wolf control measure and this three day derby will not negatively impact the wolf population in this area.
Another reason for the derby is these people feel helpless as they experience depredation of their domestic livestock and the local wild elk population. The Salmon economy is largely dependent on ranching and hunting. This is a typical manifestation of great people banning together to seek different solutions when they feel threatened. So far solutions have evaded these good people. This hunting contest is one way of trying to surface their distress. On a personal level many of these rural folks not only feel the pinch of losing real value from livestock losses or reduction in their outfitting businesses but they have lost the ability to consistently provide their families a winter meat source.
The Salmon citizens have a legitimate fear of disease that is carried by a parasite alternately hosted by wolves and ungulates. This parasite was locally low level endemic prior to the wolf and is now becoming much more widespread due to the wide ranging characteristic of wolves. The parasite can be hosted by humans as it lodges in the liver and brain and can be fatal. Wolves eat an infected elk, the parasite is passed in wolf scat and as is the habit of canines, when another canine rolls in the dried scat the parasite lodges in the fur and can spread to humans when a ranch dog or pet is petted. Ungulates pick it up by eating the grass in the proximity. It is now found in 65 to 70% of wild ungulates and is beginning to be found in cattle. The cysts are very large and ugly. Hunters are now strongly encouraged to wear protection when dressing and handling internal organs of harvested game. Before wolf reintroduction this disease was very local and endemic, primarily in sheep and coyotes in Utah. Click here to learn more about wolf diseases.
Even uglier than the pus filled tapeworm cysts that are now common in most of our Salmon's elk is the behaviour of some of the pro wolf animal rights activists. They continue to infect our computer's with their deplorable face book posts along with thousands of disgusting emails laced with vulgar language and horrible threats. None of these people seek a better understanding of our perspective or suggest solutions. Some threats reach the threshold prompting official investigation as death threats are launched against local businesses and others who support the derby. Last year during our 2013 Predator contest, Channel 8 news in Idaho Falls interviewed Salmon residents who had been terrified and threatened by radical animal rights activists. One of these eco-terrorists stated that he will "burn down their business with them inside," if they don't withdraw their support of the derby! Click here to see this article and video.
To those that want to interfere with our hunting experience, Be aware that Idaho has a statute (36-1510) that reads, " No person shall Harass, intimidate or threaten by any means including, but not limited to, personal or written contact, or via telephone, e-mail or website, any person who is or was engaged in the lawful taking or control of fish or wildlife any Interference with hunting, fishing, trapping or wildlife control."
Rules for Idaho for Wildlife’s Hunting Contest January 1st thru January 4th 2015
1. All IDFG Rules and Regulations apply.
2. No Arial hunting allowed
3. No use of dogs allowed
4. No Trapped or snared animals will be allowed
5. Only animals taken during contest will be eligible.
6. Animals will be temp checked
7. In case of Tie, Total Weight will determine Winner.
8. Sign in is Thursday Jan. 1st at Steel and Ranch at 6 pm.
9. All contestants must be at the rules and regulations meeting on Jan. 1st after sign up.
10. 2 person teams
11. Both team members must be at each check in
12. Nightly check in opens at 7pm, cut off time is 11:30 pm.
13. No night hunting or artificial light hunting allowed.
14. Last day of hunting contest is Jan. 4th and check in is 3pm Sharp.
15: All hunters will sign a waiver stating that no predators taken on BLM land will be eligible for the hunting contest.
Violation of any rule or rules results in disqualification, Judges Rulings are final.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
LICENSE AND TAGS:
HOW MUCH IS A RESIDENT LICENSE AND WOLF TAG (S)?
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgFees.pdf (Page 118)
Adult: $12.75
Junior Hunting (10 – 17) $7.25
Hunting Passport (JUNIOR OR ADULT) $1.75
(Hunting Passport: Available Only to FIRST TIME HUNTERS. anyone who has previously held a hunting license in any state is NOT eligible).
Wolf Tags: $11.50 ea.
HOW MUCH IS A NON RESIDENT LICENSE AND WOLF TAG (S)?
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgFees.pdf (PAGE 119)
For those planning on hunting non-game such as Coyotes:
Non Game Hunting license: $35.50
FOR THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO ALSO BE HUNTING WOLVES YOU NEED TO BUY A HUNTING LICENSE:
Hunting: $154.75
Junior Non Resident license: (10-17) $31.75
Non Resident Wolf Tag: $31.75 ea.
Hunting Passport: $1.75
HUNTING PASSPORTS:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgFees.pdf (PAGE 117)
Hunting passports are available only to First Time hunters. Anyone who has previously held a hunting license in any state is not eligible.
THINGS YOU MIGHT NEED TO KNOW:
The wolf is considered a Big Game predator in the state of Idaho.
Big Game rules: Page 97 http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgLaws.pdf
All hunters must have a valid Idaho hunting license and the appropriate tags or permits in their possession while hunting.
It is UNLAWFUL to shoot from or across the traveled portion, shoulders, or embankments of any road maintained by any government entity.
It is UNLAWFUL to hunt big game from or by the use of any motorized vehicle, EXCEPT for holders of a valid handicapped person's motor vehicle hunting permit when vehicle is stopped and off public roadways.
WHAT ARE LEGAL HUNTING HOURS IN IDAHO?
HUNTING HOURS: PAGE 97 http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgLaws.pdf
Big Game animals may be hunted only from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
CAN I USE ELECTRONIC CALLS TO HARVEST A WOLF?
ELECTRONIC CALLS: PAGE 97 AND 78
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgLaws.pdf
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgWolf.pdf
Electronic calls may be used to attract wolves for the purpose of harvest.
RULES ON AIRCRAFT: PAGE 97
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgLaws.pdf
It is UNLAWFUL to use aircraft to locate Big game or furbearing animals and communicate location to persons on the ground, or to use any helicopter to transport hunters, gear, or game except at established landing fields.
It is UNLAWFUL to make use of any aircraft to locate any Big game animals for purpose of hunting those animals during the same calendar day those animals were located from the air.
HOW MANY WOLF TAGS CAN I LEGALLY PURCHASE? PAGE 78 AND PAGE 79 http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgWolf.pdf
Hunters may buy up to five Gray wolf tags per calendar year. Tags must be validated and securely attached immediately upon killing a wolf.
YOU HAVE HARVESTED A WOLF, NOW WHAT?
VALIDATE HARVEST: PAGE 101 http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgLaws.pdf
The appropriate Big game tag must be validated and securely attached to the animal immediately after the kill.
Immediately after the kill, the triangles denoting the month and day must be cleanly and completely removed. Tearing, slicing, or punching the tag is not legal.
PROPER LOCATION OF TAG:
Gray wolves: Attach to the Hide.
EVIDENCE OF SEX:
Must be left attached to the hide of any wolf taken. External evidence of sex (scrotum, penis, or testacles for males, or vulva for females) must be left naturally attached to the hide until the mandatory check requirement has been satisfied, either sex may be taken.
MANDATORY REPORT AND CHECK:
Hunters must report killing a wolf within 72 Hours by calling the wolf reporting number at 1-855-648-5558.
They must also within 10 days of the kill, present the skull and hide to a Fish and Game office or conservation officer for removal and retention of a premolar tooth and to have the hide tagged with an official state export tag.
WHAT IS THE WEAPON RESTRICTIONS FOR BIG GAME ANIMALS IN IDAHO? PAGE 100
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgLaws.pdf
It is UNLAWFUL to pursue, or kill Big game animals with any electronic device attached or incorporated on the firearm of scope: Except scopes containing battery powered or tritium, lighted recitals are allowed.
It is UNLAWFUL with any firearm that, in combination with a scope, sling, and/or any attachments, weighs more than 16 pounds.
It is UNLAWFUL with fully automatic firearm.
It is UNLAWFUL with any shotgun, using shot smaller than #00 buck.
IDAHO FISH AND GAME ON-LINE TOPO MAPS OF THE HUNTING CONTEST AREAS:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/mapcenter/?lyr=0&lbl=Salmon+A+Tag&val=279
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/mapcenter/?lyr=0&lbl=Lemhi+A+Tag&val=282
US FOREST SERVICE MAPS AND REGIONAL INFORMATION: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/scnf/maps-pubs/?cid=STELPRDB5304883
We will continue to add additional information to this page to help hunters with their trip planning.
Wolves fed upon this mother cow while she was still alive, eating 20+ pounds of muscle tissue on her rear end and pelvis area. Wolves ripped her unborn calf from her womb and it was found dead near its mom. The mother was still alive when found and she had to be taken out of her misery. Folks this is the reality of living with wolves! Wolves set a new record for the number of confirmed cattle kills in Catron Country NM in 2014! Tragically 5 ranchers lost a total of 651cattle valued at over $382,000 causing 2 ranchers to go broke and one to stop raising cattle! We have a rancher in the Salmon Valley this year that lost most of his calf crop along with 13 adult cows to wolves this past summer. It has devastated him financially.
