IDFG begins winter trapping and animal counts using helicopters

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has announced that they will beginning their wildlife management activities that require the use of helicopters soon.

Some of the time helicopters will carry staff to count wildlife or shoot net guns to capture animals. Other times the helicopters will be used like a cowboy and cutting horse to select animals to be driven into waiting nets. Once captured the animals will have biological information collected and radio collars attached before being released.

Because the general big game hunting seasons are over, and only trappers and hardcore small game hunters are still out in the field, this means that IDFG will be able to get out and do some of their population study work without disturbing too many sportsmen.

In order to get a bird’s eye view when it comes to monitoring big game populations of deer and elk, IDFG relies on the use of rented airships, mainly helicopters. According to Upper Snake Region IDFG spokesman Gregg Losinski, “Many people do not realize that IDFG doesn’t own a single helicopter or plane. All our flying is done using hired aircraft.” IDFG uses various types of airships to perform tasks such as big game aerial surveys and animal trapping for research purposes. While IDFG flies year-round, the majority of projects take place during the winter when animals move out into the open on winter range.

Because wildlife management related activities require low-level flights (flying at altitudes under 500 feet) that often draw the attention of the public, it is Department policy that the public be informed when such activities are scheduled to take place. “Scheduled” is the operative word, because a variety of factors must come together for a flight to occur. Weather conditions and availability of airships can cause plans to be changed at a moment’s notice.