Idaho Investigating Technology Limitations for Rifles

BrentM said:

Deer stats are mind blowing to me. I need controlled hunt data for both Elk and Deer. They have shifted a lot in the last decade. I am not seeing where that data is and I don't think it is part of the general hunt information. I need to get back to work so this is all I can do now.

Year	Take Method	Unit	Harvest	Hunters	Success%	Days	Avg
2023​	All	All	31816​	130342​	24%	730769​	5.6
2013​	All	All	40803​	145355​	28%	742028​	5.1

Click to expand...

BrentM said:

A whole other issue but contributing to the decline in population of game animals. Massive issue for the Idahoans for sure. I am about to the point of not hunting big game anymore, just wolves. In fact, that is my plan this year to a large degree. I love bow hunting in September but I am going to camera hunt this year and pack my rifle. I missed 5 wolves this past winter and I am sick about it. I have new barrel and I am dialing in my rifle now. Should be ready to hit the hills soon.

Click to expand...

bigngreen said:

Does the Dept of Ag have government trappers running in Idaho, in SW MT they keep the wolves shot down, I haven't seen so much as a couple tracks here or there for a couple years, they are there but not in large packs that get into livestock and really hammer the elk.
We've seen an explosion in the bear population now though and I think they are almost as hard on the elk and deer so we're shift to more bear and not really putting much into wolf.

Click to expand...

HutchWV said:

if thats idaho, didn't the deer have a massive die off due to winter a few years back? I don't remember the year but I want to say 6 ish years ago. Not to say the wolves and or overhunting didn't hurt a lot, but the combination would be devastating.

Click to expand...

bigngreen said:

Does the Dept of Ag have government trappers running in Idaho, in SW MT they keep the wolves shot down, I haven't seen so much as a couple tracks here or there for a couple years, they are there but not in large packs that get into livestock and really hammer the elk.
We've seen an explosion in the bear population now though and I think they are almost as hard on the elk and deer so we're shift to more bear and not really putting much into wolf.

Click to expand...

bigngreen said:

We've seen an explosion in the bear population now though and I think they are almost as hard on the elk and deer so we're shift to more bear and not really putting much into wolf.

Click to expand...

memtb said:

I want to disagree a bit with the wolf vs bear preditation. I don't see bear predation as a significant problem.

Generally, bears will feed on a carcass until the Magpies would have difficulty getting a meal. Bear populations are much slower to grow than are wolves. Bears, again a general comment, have only a couple of offspring of which they stay with a couple of years before the sow will breed again. Meaning a new cub or two every third year. Bears also, another general comment, kill for feed…..often feeding on another's kill or winter kill.

Wolves, on the other hand have been known to act as "thrill killers"…..getting into a group of elk or deer, maiming or killing as many as they can until their lust is fulfilled. Wolves also breed yearly, often having 4 to 6 pups, their numbers can increase almost exponentially. As I understand it, wolves do not feed on a carcass for lengthy period of time before moving on to another fresh kill. Wolves also can do their finest work when deer/elk are on winter range, often in fairly deep snow, congregated together during their weakest most vulnerable period…..whiles bears are sleeping peacefully " with Sugarplums dancing in their heads"!

Just my perspective about wolves vs bears! memtb

Click to expand...

HARPERC said:

Bears are hell on calves 50% at one time SE Washington.

Cats definitely get their share, and their share has increased since wolves run them off kills and they have to kill again.

Idaho made a good move in making 2 bear areas, and extending seasons.

Cows appear to be learning to fight back a bit, and avoidance by moving to less desirable habitat.

Game animals come back well after a bad winter. Unless predator population is high. We've had bears, and cats in the past, adding wolves made a huge difference. We went from in my mind the most coveted tag (in my mind) Shiras Moose within 100 miles of my house, to I think the season should be closed.

Click to expand...

southpa said:

I'm sorry man but this is not correct. There is plenty of evidence out there on studies done in many western states that show bears as not a significant source of fawn/calf mortality but in many case the #1 cause. I have not met a single biologist that will dispute this. They have become well adapted to killing and eating calf elk, moose and fawn deer during birthing seasons. It's a major part of mortality. They calf and fawn on the same slopes bears are foraging on, all at the same time.

Click to expand...

RichCoyle said:

This is a farce. Buying from a farmer is cheaper. We hunt because we are hunters and it's fun.

Click to expand...