Comments on the proposed changes due June 13
If you are interested in commenting on Idaho’s proposal about extending wolf hunting and trapping opportunities as well as new methods of take, you have until June 13. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) has proposed the changes as a result of the recent passage of Senate Bill 1211, which “extends wolf hunting and trapping with foothold traps to year-round on private property with landowner permission,” according to a press release.
Per IDFG, the new law also expands upon the legal methods of take for wolves. This means the following:
Please note that these new expanded methods do not allow aerial shooting of wolves at this time and IDFG is not proposing any changes to the current wolf snaring seasons for both private and public land. There are also no proposed changes to the foothold trapping seasons on public land.
However, the proposed changes do expand methods of take on private land year-round as long as you have landowner permission and expands methods of take for public land hunting from Nov. 15 to March 31 in Unit 4, 4A, 6, 7, 9, 10, 10A, 12, 14, 15, 16, 16A, 17, 18, 19, 20, 20A, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 32A, 33, 34, 35, 36, 36A, 36B, 37, 39, 43, 44, 49, 50, 62, 64, 65 and 67. Wolf hunting and methods of take would remain the same during established seasons on public land from April 1 to Nov. 14 in the same units, according to the agency.
For more information about the proposed changes, click here.
Weapon restrictions (for hunting big game) do not apply;
Exemption from shooting hours (written permission from the landowner is required on private land and a permit from the director of IDFG is required on public land, which is consistent with requirements for spotlighting coyotes at night);
Hunting wolves over bait is allowed on private land;
Motorized vehicle restriction for hunting big game do not apply; and
Dogs may be used to pursue wolves and no hound hunter permit is required.
