Elk Network‘Idaho Hunting University’ to Help Novice, Veteran Hunters

General | July 10, 2019

The Southeast Region of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is hosting a new public event aimed at getting hunters ready for hunting season this fall.

The Southeast Idaho Hunting University will take place on August 3, 2019, at the Pocatello Trap Club located at 1442 Fortress Road (near the Pocatello airport).

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes archery and trap shooting, watching hunting dogs in action, learning the basics of mule deer and elk hunting, and getting some pointers on pursuing upland game birds and waterfowl, learn basic wilderness first aid skills, and more.

Find additional information here.

(Photo source: Idaho Department of Fish and Game)

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief received nearly 1,100 reports which led to 76 citations for wildlife violations in 2017.

“Poachers are thieves. They do not represent the hunting community, and the majority of the reports come from hunters and anglers who are out in the field and witness suspicious activity,” said Scott Fischer, program manager for Operation Game Thief. “The hunting community does a great job of policing itself. If you see something, say something.

In 2017, wildlife violators were assessed $74,500 in civil fines, and that money goes directly into the department’s Wildlife Theft Prevention Fund, which pays for the rewards as well as promotion of Operation Game Thief. In addition, 51 individuals had their hunting and/or fishing license revoked by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission as part of their penalty, one of which was a lifetime revocation. The department receives no general fund money from the state of Arizona.

It’s also important to note that mistakes and accidents happen, and the department will work with hunters and anglers who immediately self-report their actions to the Operation Game Thief hotline.

“Mistakes happen in any endeavor, and the amazing thing about hunters is they frequently report themselves,” Fischer said. “Hunters respect wildlife and because of that respect they’re willing to risk penalties in order to ensure meat from the wildlife they take is not wasted.”

(Photo source: Arizona Game and Fish Department)