IDFG continues working with landowners to reduce big game depredations in the Magic Valley
Tools to reduce depredation
Wildlife biologists work with landowners to identify and use nonlethal measures first when possible. Hazing, fencing and other prevention methods can be effective in certain situations, depending on the location, crop and behavior of the animals involved.
When those measures are not successful and significant crop damage is occurring, Fish and Game has additional tools available to address the problem. Depending on the circumstances, those tools include using hunters wherever and whenever possible through depredation hunts or landowner permission hunts, and, when necessary, removal of animals by trained Fish and Game personnel.
Depredation Hunts
Depredation hunts are generally used to address an active or immediate wildlife damage situation. These hunts are established on short notice when animals are actively causing damage. The hunt may occur outside traditional hunting seasons and is intended specifically to reduce wildlife damage.
Hunters apply for these hunts during the annual depredation hunt application period (May 1-June 30) and are randomly selected if a hunt is needed.
Depredation hunts are initiated by Fish and Game in response to a specific depredation situation and usually only involves a specific field or farm where the damage is occurring.
Landowner Permission Hunts (LPH)
Landowner permission hunts (LPH) are generally used for ongoing or chronic depredation, particularly when wildlife is regularly using private property.
Fish and Game may provide vouchers to an affected landowner, who then determines which eligible hunters receive permission to participate. The hunt timing and boundaries are established by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission.
LPH hunts may be limited to private property or, depending on the specific hunt, may include portions of public land. These hunts are usually implemented at a game management unit level or a large portion of a game management unit.
Agency-led removals
Agency-led removals are a last-resort tool used when other depredation measures are not effective or practical.
In these situations, trained Fish and Game personnel may lethally remove animals that are repeatedly causing damage, particularly when hunting is not feasible because of access, timing, safety concerns or other circumstances.
The goal of these actions is to reduce or stop active crop damage while maintaining healthy and sustainable big game populations.
Meat from animals taken through agency-led removals are professionally processed and donated to food banks and other organizations, including Idaho Hunters Feeding the Hungry.
Working with landowners
Managing depredation is an ongoing process, and there is no single tool that works in every situation. Fish and Game staff evaluate each conflict based on the animals involved, the location, the type of crop, the severity of the damage and what prevention measures have already been attempted.
Fish and Game will continue working with landowners, hunters and other partners to address depredation while maintaining healthy big game populations and providing sustainable hunting opportunities.
For more information about big game depredation in the Magic Valley Region, contact the Idaho Fish and Game Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.
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