12-29-2013: Zero wolves were harvested during the predator derby. 21 coyotes were taken. One wolf was seen.

12-27-2013: Federal Judge dismisses enviromentalist's attempt to stop predator Derby
(See Judge Dale's decision here)

12-22-2013: Television reporter visits Salmon, Idaho and interviews residents who have been threatened that the radical animal rights activists,"Will burn down their businesses with them inside," it if they don't withdraw their support of the derby!

Salmon, Idaho's 1st Annual predator Derby, December 28-29, 2013!

The real question is why do the folks living in this little remote Idaho town of 3,000 people feel they should hold this predator derby?

This is an incredible opportunity to team up with our son or daughter during Christmas break and spend some quality time in the gorgeous Salmon, Idaho Country! Some of our objectives are to teach hunting skills, gun safety and wolf disease prevention to our youth and others.

Even though we don't expect to harvest a lot of wolves we hope to take quite a few coyotes. Wolves in Idaho are considered a big game animal just like a deer or elk. Coyotes are classified as an unprotected predator and can be hunted year around. Youth hunters who are 12 years of age or older, and have received their hunters education certificate and have a valid hunting license and wolf tag may hunt wolves. Youth that are 10 years or older who have passed hunters education and have a valid hunting license can hunt coyotes as long as they have a mentoring parent or adult.

Another reason for the derby is these people feel helpless as they experience depredation of their domestic livestock and the local wild elk population. The Salmon economy is largely dependent on ranching and hunting. This is a typical manifestation of great people banning together to seek different solutions when they feel threatened. So far solutions have evaded these good people. The "derby" is one way of trying to surface their distress. On a personal level many of these rural folks not only feel the pinch of losing real value from livestock losses or reduction in their outfitting businesses and inabilty to provide their families a winter meat source.

The Salmon citizens have a legitimate fear of disease that is carried by a parasite alternately hosted by canines and ungulates. This parasite was locally low level endemic prior to the wolf and is now becoming much more widespread due to the wide ranging characteristic of wolves. The parasite can be hosted by humans as it lodges in the liver and brain and can be fatal. Wolves eat an infected elk, the parasite is passed in wolf scat and as is the habit of canines, when another canine rolls in the dried scat the parasite lodges in the fur and can spread to humans when a ranch dog or pet is petted. Ungulates pick it up by eating the grass in the proximity. It is now found in 65 to 70% of wild ungulates and is beginning to be found in cattle. The cysts are very large and ugly. Hunters are now strongly encouraged to wear protection when dressing and handling internal organs of harvested game. Before wolf reintroduction this disease was very local and endemic, primarily in sheep and coyotes in Utah.

Even uglier than the pus filled tapeworm cysts that are now common in most of our Salmon's elk is the behavior of some of the pro wolf animal rights activists. Not only have they tried to infect our computer's with their facebook posts along with thousands of disgusting emails laced with vulgar language and horrible threats. None of these people seek a better understanding of our perspective or suggest solutions. Some threats reach the threshold prompting official investigation as death threats are launched against local businesses and others who support the derby.

We are grateful for our right to hunt and fish in Idaho and we can never take these rights for granted! We are also aware that Idaho has a statute (36-1510) that reads, " No person shall Harass, intimidate or threaten by any means including, but not limited to, personal or written contact, or via telephone, e-mail or website, any person who is or was engaged in the lawful taking or control of fish or wildlife any Interference with hunting, fishing, trapping or wildlife control."

We are grateful for the Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Legislature and the IDFG commission for providing fair chase hunting opportunities such as what will occur during this event as a vehicle to attempt to keep wolves in check. Idaho’s elk populations have been devastated in high wolf density regions of the state due to wolf predation. Since wolves don’t self-regulate, they can reduce the prey populations so low they can fall into “Predator Pits.” Wolves can actually "Wink" out of the ecosystem once they have eliminated the prey base. Prudent wildlife managers in Alaska and Canada realize the importance of wolf control. As an example, the providence of Alberta has a current bounty on wolves with year around hunting in many areas. Canada has had far more experience with wolf management than the Lower 48 states and understands the devastation wolves cause to their big game populations and the livestock industry. The radical animal rights groups such as Defenders of Wildlife oppose this derby and are spreading misinformation all over the web about a feared wolf slaughter and mass killings of predators for no reason! Defenders of wildlife thrives on exploiting these wonderful traditional hunting opportunities with friends and family for the opportunity to raise more dollars to fight againt our hunting heritage. One of the local Salmon outfitters had 39 different hunters in his camp the past 2 years and only 1 hunter saw a wolf and he took a shot and missed the wolf. Wolf experts know that sport hunting is not an effective wolf control measure and this two day derby will not negatively impact the wolf population in this area.

For more information regarding contest rules, questions and how you can donate to this event, please see below:

Idaho For Wildlife is excited to announce our Predator hunting contest and Fur Rendezvous for January 1-4^th 2015!

It is the First Weekend of January, the kids are still on Christmas Break, the big game season is over and you have a serious case of cabin fever! So load up the family and drive to the beautiful Salmon and Lemhi valley for our 2nd annual Predator hunting contest! This year we added a 3rd day of hunting so those that can't hunt Sunday can still enjoy two days and will also be eligible to be enter and win in the contest.

In March of this year, Peterson's hunting magazine released a very informative article supporting coyote contests nationwide. Upon our request, they were kind enough to place this article on-line: http://www.petersenshunting.com/galleries/coyote-contests/

This predator contest will include the hunting of wolves and coyotes. Wolves are an aggressive predator that can be devastating to wildlife and livestock if not managed. Wolves are also considered a big game animal in Idaho and hunters are allowed to purchase up to 5 wolf tags per year. The success rate of wolf hunters with a rifle is less than 1% as wolves are extremely difficult to hunt. Last year we predicted that no one would shoot a wolf during our contest and we were correct. Hopefully this year we’ll have better luck!

Coyotes are not classified as a big game animal in Idaho and can be taken year-round in Idaho with no limit. Many people don’t realize the damage that coyotes can cause to our livestock producers and big game populations.
In 2014, Idaho Fish and game lowered the big game hunting age from 12 to 10 with the understanding that the 10-11 year olds need an adult or parent with them at all times. We do have youth that would love to hunt but need adult mentors so please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested and to learn more.

We have many incredible prizes to give away this year to the lucky winners! By the way we really appreciate the generosity of the Salmon businesses and people who are providing prizes! As the contest poster suggests, we are really looking out for the youth this year and want them to have a wonderful and safe experience! This past week, the Idaho Statesmen released an article about how tough a time it is for many in Salmon to make-ends-meet. So we made the easy decision to return 100% of the excess cash donations back to charitable needs for the Salmon valley. This $ will go to the Calvary Food Bank, The Lemhi After School program and we are especially excited to grant a $1,000.00 college scholarship to a lucky Salmon student! (At the bottom of this page there are instructions on how you can provide donations.)

We were saddened with the BLM’s decision to revoke our special recreational permit, once again caving in to the radical anti-hunting and environmental groups just as they did last year. BLM’s decision to rescind our recreational permit means that any coyotes or wolves taken on BLM land during the contest will not be eligible for the hunting contest. Does this mean that Idaho For Wildlife can tell hunters not to travel and hunt on BLM land? Absolutely not! All this means is that any predators taken on BLM land during the contest period cannot be entered into the competitive hunting event to win prizes or cash. Hunters who incidentally take a coyote or wolf on BLM land realize they cannot enter it into the competitive contest, but they can still sell their furs at the separate fur rendezvous to licensed fur buyers who will be on-site. They can also sell their furs at a later date to any licensed fur buyer in Idaho. We recognize that it would be illegal under Idaho law (statue #36-1510) for Idaho For Wildlife to intentionally interfere with the lawful taking or control of wildlife. Idaho also has a constitutional right to hunt and fish that we should never take for granted!

Oregon wolf activist Congressmen Peter DeFazio is doing everything in his power to stop this hunting contest. DeFazio is afraid we might accidently kill an Idaho wolf that might have made travel plans to Oregon and deprive his state of more wolves. It is confusing why DeFazio is so suddenly concerned about not having enough Idaho wolves after Idaho Governor "Butch" Otter felt so badly about the Oregon gray wolf killed by an Idaho hunter in 2012 that he offered to repay Oregon by 150-fold! Instead of taking Idaho’s generous offer of an extra 150 wolves, DeFazio is now leading the charge against the US Forest Service to have them stop the hunting contest in order protect wolves. Again we didn't take a single wolf last year during the contest but any opportunity for inflated rhetoric and misinformation, DeFazio’s is the animal rights activists champion! His efforts and alignment with his radical wolf advocates only further infringe on our state and private property rights here in Idaho. Oregonians, please tell DeFazio to start utilizing his valuable time more wisely on trying to save Oregon cities from bankruptcy due to his failed environmental policies and to stay home and get his own house in order! Please contact our US Senators and Congressmen (See Below) and let them know how you feel about DeFazio’s meddling in Idaho’s business. Also tell our Senators and Congressman how you feel about BLM’s decision to once again use their abusive power to infringe on our legal rights to participate in this hunting contest.

Senator Mike Crapo

Senator Jim Risch

Congressman Raul Labrador
Congressman Mike Simpson

We are grateful for the Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Legislature and the IDFG commission for providing fair chase hunting opportunities such as what will occur during this event as a management tool to keep predators in check. Idaho Fish and game has a very simple predator management brochure available on their website that explains why they have to control predators. Idaho’s elk populations have been devastated in many of the high wolf density regions of the state due to wolf predation. Since wolves don’t self-regulate, they can reduce the prey populations so low they can fall into “Predator Pits.” Wolves can actually "Wink" out of the ecosystem once they have eliminated the prey base. Prudent wildlife managers in Alaska and Canada realize the importance of wolf control. As an example, the providence of Alberta has a current bounty on wolves with year around hunting in many areas. Canada has had far more experience with wolf management than the Lower 48 states and understands the devastation wolves cause to their big game populations and the livestock industry. The radical animal rights groups such as Defenders of Wildlife oppose this derby and last year they spread disingenuous misinformation far and wide claiming this would be a wolf slaughter even though not a single wolf was taken! Defenders of wildlife thrive on exploiting these wonderful traditional hunting opportunities with friends and family for the opportunity to raise more dollars to fight against our hunting heritage. One of the local Salmon outfitters had 53 different hunters in their camp the past 3 years and only 2 hunters saw wolves and not one wolf was harvested! Wolf experts know that sport hunting alone is not an effective wolf control measure and this three day derby will not negatively impact the wolf population in this area.

Another reason for the derby is these people feel helpless as they experience depredation of their domestic livestock and the local wild elk population. The Salmon economy is largely dependent on ranching and hunting. This is a typical manifestation of great people banning together to seek different solutions when they feel threatened. So far solutions have evaded these good people. This hunting contest is one way of trying to surface their distress. On a personal level many of these rural folks not only feel the pinch of losing real value from livestock losses or reduction in their outfitting businesses but they have lost the ability to consistently provide their families a winter meat source.

The Salmon citizens have a legitimate fear of disease that is carried by a parasite alternately hosted by wolves and ungulates. This parasite was locally low level endemic prior to the wolf and is now becoming much more widespread due to the wide ranging characteristic of wolves. The parasite can be hosted by humans as it lodges in the liver and brain and can be fatal. Wolves eat an infected elk, the parasite is passed in wolf scat and as is the habit of canines, when another canine rolls in the dried scat the parasite lodges in the fur and can spread to humans when a ranch dog or pet is petted. Ungulates pick it up by eating the grass in the proximity. It is now found in 65 to 70% of wild ungulates and is beginning to be found in cattle. The cysts are very large and ugly. Hunters are now strongly encouraged to wear protection when dressing and handling internal organs of harvested game. Before wolf reintroduction this disease was very local and endemic, primarily in sheep and coyotes in Utah. Click here to learn more about wolf diseases.

Even uglier than the pus filled tapeworm cysts that are now common in most of our Salmon's elk is the behaviour of some of the pro wolf animal rights activists. They continue to infect our computer's with their deplorable face book posts along with thousands of disgusting emails laced with vulgar language and horrible threats. None of these people seek a better understanding of our perspective or suggest solutions. Some threats reach the threshold prompting official investigation as death threats are launched against local businesses and others who support the derby. Last year during our 2013 Predator contest, Channel 8 news in Idaho Falls interviewed Salmon residents who had been terrified and threatened by radical animal rights activists. One of these eco-terrorists stated that he will "burn down their business with them inside," if they don't withdraw their support of the derby! Click here to see this article and video.

To those that want to interfere with our hunting experience, Be aware that Idaho has a statute (36-1510) that reads, " No person shall Harass, intimidate or threaten by any means including, but not limited to, personal or written contact, or via telephone, e-mail or website, any person who is or was engaged in the lawful taking or control of fish or wildlife any Interference with hunting, fishing, trapping or wildlife control."

Rules for Idaho for Wildlife’s Hunting Contest January 1^st thru January 4^th 2015

1. All IDFG Rules and Regulations apply.

2. No Arial hunting allowed
3. No use of dogs allowed
4. No Trapped or snared animals will be allowed

5. Only animals taken during contest will be eligible.

6. Animals will be temp checked

7. In case of Tie, Total Weight will determine Winner.

8. Sign in is Thursday Jan. 1^st at Steel and Ranch at 6 pm.

9. All contestants must be at the rules and regulations meeting on Jan. 1^st after sign up.

10. 2 person teams

11. Both team members must be at each check in

12. Nightly check in opens at 7pm, cut off time is 11:30 pm.
13. No night hunting or artificial light hunting allowed.
14. Last day of hunting contest is Jan. 4^th and check in is 3pm Sharp.
15: All hunters will sign a waiver stating that no predators taken on BLM land will be eligible for the hunting contest.

Violation of any rule or rules results in disqualification, Judges Rulings are final.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

LICENSE AND TAGS:

HOW MUCH IS A RESIDENT LICENSE AND WOLF TAG (S)?
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgFees.pdf (Page 118)

Adult: $12.75

Junior Hunting (10 – 17) $7.25

Hunting Passport (JUNIOR OR ADULT) $1.75

(Hunting Passport: Available Only to FIRST TIME HUNTERS. anyone who has previously held a hunting license in any state is NOT eligible).
Wolf Tags: $11.50 ea.

HOW MUCH IS A NON RESIDENT LICENSE AND WOLF TAG (S)?
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgFees.pdf (PAGE 119)

For those planning on hunting non-game such as Coyotes:
Non Game Hunting license: $35.50

FOR THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO ALSO BE HUNTING WOLVES YOU NEED TO BUY A HUNTING LICENSE:
Hunting: $154.75
Junior Non Resident license: (10-17) $31.75
Non Resident Wolf Tag: $31.75 ea.
Hunting Passport: $1.75

HUNTING PASSPORTS:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgFees.pdf (PAGE 117)

Hunting passports are available only to First Time hunters. Anyone who has previously held a hunting license in any state is not eligible.

THINGS YOU MIGHT NEED TO KNOW:
The wolf is considered a Big Game predator in the state of Idaho.

Big Game rules: Page 97 http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgLaws.pdf

All hunters must have a valid Idaho hunting license and the appropriate tags or permits in their possession while hunting.

It is UNLAWFUL to shoot from or across the traveled portion, shoulders, or embankments of any road maintained by any government entity.

It is UNLAWFUL to hunt big game from or by the use of any motorized vehicle, EXCEPT for holders of a valid handicapped person's motor vehicle hunting permit when vehicle is stopped and off public roadways.

WHAT ARE LEGAL HUNTING HOURS IN IDAHO?
HUNTING HOURS: PAGE 97 http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgLaws.pdf

Big Game animals may be hunted only from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

CAN I USE ELECTRONIC CALLS TO HARVEST A WOLF?

ELECTRONIC CALLS: PAGE 97 AND 78
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgLaws.pdf
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgWolf.pdf

Electronic calls may be used to attract wolves for the purpose of harvest.

RULES ON AIRCRAFT: PAGE 97
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgLaws.pdf

It is UNLAWFUL to use aircraft to locate Big game or furbearing animals and communicate location to persons on the ground, or to use any helicopter to transport hunters, gear, or game except at established landing fields.

It is UNLAWFUL to make use of any aircraft to locate any Big game animals for purpose of hunting those animals during the same calendar day those animals were located from the air.

HOW MANY WOLF TAGS CAN I LEGALLY PURCHASE? PAGE 78 AND PAGE 79 http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgWolf.pdf

Hunters may buy up to five Gray wolf tags per calendar year. Tags must be validated and securely attached immediately upon killing a wolf.

YOU HAVE HARVESTED A WOLF, NOW WHAT?

VALIDATE HARVEST: PAGE 101 http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgLaws.pdf

The appropriate Big game tag must be validated and securely attached to the animal immediately after the kill.

Immediately after the kill, the triangles denoting the month and day must be cleanly and completely removed. Tearing, slicing, or punching the tag is not legal.

PROPER LOCATION OF TAG:
Gray wolves: Attach to the Hide.

EVIDENCE OF SEX:

Must be left attached to the hide of any wolf taken. External evidence of sex (scrotum, penis, or testacles for males, or vulva for females) must be left naturally attached to the hide until the mandatory check requirement has been satisfied, either sex may be taken.

MANDATORY REPORT AND CHECK:

Hunters must report killing a wolf within 72 Hours by calling the wolf reporting number at 1-855-648-5558.

They must also within 10 days of the kill, present the skull and hide to a Fish and Game office or conservation officer for removal and retention of a premolar tooth and to have the hide tagged with an official state export tag.

WHAT IS THE WEAPON RESTRICTIONS FOR BIG GAME ANIMALS IN IDAHO? PAGE 100

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgLaws.pdf
It is UNLAWFUL to pursue, or kill Big game animals with any electronic device attached or incorporated on the firearm of scope: Except scopes containing battery powered or tritium, lighted recitals are allowed.

It is UNLAWFUL with any firearm that, in combination with a scope, sling, and/or any attachments, weighs more than 16 pounds.

It is UNLAWFUL with fully automatic firearm.

It is UNLAWFUL with any shotgun, using shot smaller than #00 buck.

IDAHO FISH AND GAME ON-LINE TOPO MAPS OF THE HUNTING CONTEST AREAS:

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/mapcenter/?lyr=0&lbl=Salmon+A+Tag&val=279

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/mapcenter/?lyr=0&lbl=Lemhi+A+Tag&val=282

US FOREST SERVICE MAPS AND REGIONAL INFORMATION: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/scnf/maps-pubs/?cid=STELPRDB5304883

We will continue to add additional information to this page to help hunters with their trip planning.

Wolves fed upon this mother cow while she was still alive, eating 20+ pounds of muscle tissue on her rear end and pelvis area. Wolves ripped her unborn calf from her womb and it was found dead near its mom. The mother was still alive when found and she had to be taken out of her misery. Folks this is the reality of living with wolves! Wolves set a new record for the number of confirmed cattle kills in Catron Country NM in 2014! Tragically 5 ranchers lost a total of 651cattle valued at over $382,000 causing 2 ranchers to go broke and one to stop raising cattle! We have a rancher in the Salmon Valley this year that lost most of his calf crop along with 13 adult cows to wolves this past summer. It has devastated him financially.

RMEF is calling out groups like Defenders of Wildlife, Western Wildlife Conservancy and others for their disingenuous use of data on wolves and elk.

RMEF Elk

February 26, 2010

Elk Foundation Calls Out Motives of Wolf Groups

MISSOULA, Mont.—In letters to legislators and newspapers across the West, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is calling out groups like Defenders of Wildlife, Western Wildlife Conservancy and others for their disingenuous use of data on wolves and elk.

The RMEF action was prompted by each group’s recent op-ed articles in the media, as well as testimony before Utah lawmakers by Western Wildlife Conservancy Executive Director Kirk Robinson. All cited RMEF statistics to argue that restored wolf populations have somehow translated to growing elk herds in the northern Rockies.

“The theory that wolves haven’t had a significant adverse impact on some elk populations is not accurate. We’ve become all too familiar with these groups’ tactic of cherry-picking select pieces of information to support their own agenda, even when it is misleading,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “We will not allow that claim to go unchallenged.”

RMEF population data, which come from state wildlife agencies, show that elk populations are expanding the most in areas of the northern Rockies where wolves are not present. However, where elk share habitat with wolves, such as the greater Yellowstone area, some elk populations are declining fast. In fact, since the mid-1990s introduction of gray wolves, the northern Yellowstone elk herd has dropped from about 17,000 to 7,100 animals—a 58 percent decline. Other localities in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming also are documenting precipitous downward trends.

Additionally, some research shows that elk remaining in areas of concentrated wolf populations are suffering nutrition loss, lower body weights and decreasing birth rates.

Allen said, “Every wildlife conservation agency, both state and federal, working at ground zero of wolf restoration—Idaho, Montana and Wyoming—has abundant data to demonstrate how undermanaged wolf populations can compromise local elk herds and local livestock production. There’s just no dispute, and emotion-over-science is not the way to professionally manage wildlife.”

RMEF continues to support state-regulated wolf management to include hunting and other viable methods. This position is supported by new reports of diseased wolf populations in the Yellowstone area.

“When wolves are too abundant, they’re more susceptible to diseases, just like all wildlife. The viruses and mange now spreading through wolf packs is another sign of way too many wolves,” said Allen. “Defenders of Wildlife would like to spin sick wolves as a reason to end hunting. But real conservationists know that diseased wildlife populations need better management. Hunting as a management tool delivers that, period.”

He added, “Remember, pro-wolf groups make their living by prolonging this conflict. There is no real incentive for them to admit that wolves are overly recovered. Fundraising is their major motive and they've built a goldmine by filing lawsuits and preaching that nature will find its own equilibrium between predators and prey if man would just leave it alone. That’s a myth. The truth is that people are the most important part of the equation. This isn’t the Wild West anymore. People live here—actually quite a lot of us. So our land and resources must be managed. Wildlife must be managed. Radical spikes and dips in populations show that we should be doing it better. It’s not profitable for plaintiffs, but the rest of us would be better served if the conflict ended and conservation professionals were allowed to get on with their business of managing wildlife, including a well regulated hunting strategy.”

In 2009, RMEF got involved in the ongoing wolf litigation, supporting defendant agencies by filing legal briefs used in federal court to help delist wolves and proceed with hunting—“facts conveniently ignored by groups who misuse our name, data and credibility to prolong the conflict. We stand for elk and other wildlife and what is happening right now is simply not good wildlife management,” said Allen.

See Allen’s letters to editors, Utah Senator Dennis Stowell and more at www.rmef.org.


About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.6 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.