Idaho Fish and Game Commissioners are considering changes for big game hunting for the 2021-2022 season. Some proposals would expand gray wolf hunting and trapping.
In some game units, the commission is considering expanding the gray wolf hunting season so that it's open year-round, including in some places in the Magic Valley region. In other units, the commission could make more types of wolf trapping legal, and it could open up wolf trapping on public land.
Another proposal from sportsmen is to expand gray wolf trapping. The part that’s getting the most attention is the inclusion of game units 48 and 49, which encompass Bellevue, Hailey and Ketchum.
"The reason these are a little bit unique," said Terry Thompson, Idaho Fish and Game's Magic Valley region communications manager, "is there has not been a wolf trapping season in the past in those two units.”
In fact, for the current hunting season, these are the only two units in the state that do not permit gray wolf trapping. Thompson pointed out trapping for other big game is allowed there.
And unit 49, he said, falls under Fish and Game’s “chronic depredation” classification. That’s because wolves have killed livestock there in the past four out of five years.
The commission will take up these proposals and others during its meeting in mid-March. The agency is accepting public comments through Thursday, Feb. 25.
It's also hosting a series of virtual open houses and call-in events this week:
Feb. 23
- Virtual open house for Magic Valley region
- Call-in events for Panhandle and Upper Snake regions
Feb 24.
- Virtual open houses for Clearwater and Salmon regions
- Call-in events for Southwest and Magic Valley regions
Feb. 25
- Virtual open house for the whole state
Find reporter Rachel Cohen on Twitter @racheld_cohen
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