Wolf Hunting and Trapping Seasons Set
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Thursday, July 28, adopted wolf hunting and trapping seasons for 2011-2012.
Wolf hunting seasons run from August 30 through December 31 in Island Park and Beaverhead wolf management zones, from August 30 through June 30 in the Lolo and Selway zones, and from August 30 through March 31 in the remaining nine of 13 of the state�s wolf management zones.
Hunters may buy two tags per calendar year, and they may take only one wolf per tag. Wolf seasons are any-weapon seasons, electronic calls may be used statewide, and wolves may be taken incidentally during fall bear baiting.
Wolf tags cost $11.50 and nonresident wolf tags will cost $31.75. The reduced nonresident tag price is retroactive � hunters who already have bought tags at the higher previous price are eligible for a refund.
The season limits are 40 wolves in the Salmon zone, 60 in the Sawtooth zone, 25 in the Southern Mountains zone, 10 in the Beaverhead zone and 30 in the Island Park zone. There are no limits in the remaining eight wolf management zones.
Hunters must report killing a wolf within 72 hours, and they must present the skull and hide to an Idaho Fish and Game office within 10 days. Fish and Game will monitor the hunt daily. The seasons will close when the harvest limit for that zone is reached or the season closing date, whichever comes first.
Wolf trapping seasons run from November 15 through March 31 in the Panhandle zone, except for units 2 and 3; in the Lolo zone; in the Dworshak-Elk City zone, except Unit 10A; in the Selway zone; and the Middle Fork zone. All other zones are closed to trapping with the option of opening a trapping season in other zones upon commission review in January.
Trappers may buy up to three tags with trapping license in addition to two tags purchased for hunting; unused tags from hunting season may also be used to tag trapped wolves.
Snares and foothold traps, with a jaw spread of no more than 9 inches are legal during wolf trapping season.
Baiting regulations for trapping wolves are consistent with regulations for furbearers. A mandatory trapping education class is required before buying tags for wolf trapping.
Trappers must check their traps at least once every 72 hours; they must report a kill within 72 hours and bring the skull and hide to be checked with Fish and Game within 10 days.
Wolf hunting and trapping seasons and rules are posted on the Fish and Game website at:
https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/?getPage=266, and they will be available in a brochure to be published before the seasons start.