More Geese Found Dumped and Left to Waste in Minidoka County
ACEQUIA, Idaho (KLIX)-Another group of geese were found dumped and left to waste in Minidoka County recently in the same spot where someone had dumped geese late last year.
According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, six Canada geese were reportedly dumped near the Minidoka Dam, close to the old Jackson Bridge, sometime on January 15 or January 16. According to Senior Conservation Officer Aaron Adruska, the geese were dumped at the same spot another group geese were dumped in December. “The fact that someone has deliberately dumped Canada geese twice, in the same location is appalling” said Andruska, “this is a blatant case of wasting game, which is very disturbing, especially if this is the same individual or individuals who are responsible.” None of the meat on the animals was taken in either incident.
Wood River Bull Elk Gets Caught in Swing Set
KETCHUM, Idaho (KLIX)-A bull elk got caught a second time in a very precarious situation in the Wood River Valley that required conservation officers to tranquilize the animal on Tuesday.
According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Magic Valley Regional Officer, residents south of Ketchum reported an elk had gotten entangled in a swing set attached to a tree. Before officers arrived the elk broke free of the tree, but still had rope and parts of the swing still attached to its antlers. The only way to remove the mangled swing set was to anesthetize the elk with a dart.
Annual seasonal motorized use closure will be in effect in South Hills area
TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Burley Field Office will implement the annual seasonal motorized use closure in the South Hills area from Jan. 16 to March 15 to prevent resource damage and protect critical mule deer winter range and sage-grouse habitat. The closure may be extended if road or weather conditions warrant. The area is still open to the public for nonmotorized use.
Minimizing stress is important to maintain healthy populations of mule deer in the South Hills during the next few months. Following the Badger Fire, which burned over 90,000 acres last summer, it is especially critical for these animals to have access to good wintering habitat. “Increased human disturbance from motorized vehicles forces mule deer to move to lower quality habitat and expend energy that they are trying to conserve,” said Eric Killoy, Burley Field Office wildlife biologist.
Idaho Fish and Game Seek Help in November Elk Poaching Near Bliss
BLISS, Idaho (KLIX)-The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking public help with an elk poaching investigation in the Bliss area that happened late last year.
According to Idaho Fish and Game, two bull elk were found illegally shot in separate incidents north of Bliss in the Smokey-Bennett Zone in late November. A cow elk hunt was underway in the area, however there hadn t been any antlered elk hunts in that specific unit. In one case a small bull elk was discovered on Nov. 25, just off Clover Creek Road. The investigating conservation officer figured the elk had been shot that day; most of the animal was left to waste. There is only one known person of interest in this case is a man that had been wearing a red flannel shirt.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game held a virtual open house last Monday to introduce its proposed moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunting regulations for the 2021-22 season in the Magic Valley region.
Public comment is due Wednesday, Dec. 30, according to Regional Wildlife Manager Mike McDonald. To make a comment, call 208-324-4359.
Hereâs what to know about the departmentâs proposed regulations for each animal:
Moose
Moose weren t always common in the Smoky Mountains of south-central Idaho, Magic Valley Regional Wildlife Biologist Sierra Robatcek said during the open house. But, thanks to the reintroduction of over 30 moose starting in 1986 between Boise and Sun Valley, populations reached ârobustâ enough levels by 2000 for Fish and Game to offer its first moose hunt in the region in 2001.