Jan 28, 2018 The Yellow Pine Times – Valley County, Idaho
Village News:
Chili Contest Jan 27
What a perfect day!
Snow, chili, rum and lots of laughter with our Yellow Pine friends.
Thanks to our judges Clint, Tim, and Lynn for the great job judging our chili contest.
Congratulations to the winners!
First place: Nicki
Second place: Teri
Third place: Deb
A great big thanks to everyone who came.
Total donations to the Community Hall was $60. The money will be used towards maintenance of the Community Hall.
Thank you so much, Kathy Hall and Deb Filler
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Yellow Pine Tavern
Up coming events: February 4th Superbowl Sunday Party. February 17th Pie Contest.
Watch all of your favorite sports on our Big Screen TV at the Yellow Pine Tavern. Featuring Football. Open 9am to 8pm (or later on game nights.) Juke box is up and going!
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The Corner
The Corner is closed for the season.
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Winter Water Advice
To help prevent frozen water, avoid parking over buried water lines, allow the natural snow cover to insulate the ground. Driving over the lines will also push the frost deeper and can result in frozen pipes. Also, don’t plow the snow over where water lines are buried, and avoid covering up water shut off valves.
Water Bills are due January 31st.
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Be Predator Aware
Recent (Jan 28) reports of fox activity and tracks in and around the village. Apparently there are 2 habituated foxes hanging around, one is red and the other gray. Also a report of a small cougar leaving tracks around the upper end of the village a couple weeks ago. Keep an eye on small dogs and cats and please don’t leave pet food outdoors.
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2018 Fest
The 2018 festival T-shirt contest is now open! All entries must include the year (2018) and the festival name “Yellow Pine Festival” in the design Entries must be received by Friday, May 18th, 2018. The prize for the winning design is $100! Multiple designs by the same artist can be sent in.
Hint: these shirts are screen prints, simpler designs stand out better. Submit your entry by email to Marj Fields at fieldsmarjie @ yahoo.com
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YPFD News:
Winter Fire Safety Tips
Keep your chimney clean to prevent flue fires. Make sure your smoke detector is working. Never leave a portable electric heater unattended. Fire extinguishers should be charged, visible and easily accessible.
There are YPFD T-shirts, as well as YPFD patches and stickers for sale at the Tavern now.
Training will resume in the spring.
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VYPA News:
Next meeting June 2018
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Winter Propane Tips
Keep the snow cleared around propane lines and pipes leading from your tank to the house. The weight of snow sliding off roofs can cause leaks that can result in fire. Make sure you have a CO detector with working batteries.
Amerigas Phone: (208) 634-8181
Ed Staub & Sons Phone: (208) 634-3833
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Diamond (Kennedy) Fuel & Feed
Diamond Fuel & Feed carries ice melt. “We sell 50# bags [of ice melt] for $8.99.” 208-382-4430
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Follow The Yellow Pine Times on Facebook
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Local Observations:
Monday (Jan 22) light snow all night, 2″ new snow this morning, average 10″ of snow on the ground. Low clouds sitting down on the mountains, steady light snow continues. Fresh fox tracks all over the neighborhood. Lots of small birds visiting. Snowfall ended after lunch time, thinner clouds, trees dumping snow. Short snow flurry, then partly clear early afternoon, warmed up, high of 38 degrees, melted the trace of new snow. Partly cloudy at sunset. Flaking snow before midnight.
Tuesday (Jan 23) overnight low of 15 degrees, mostly clear sky with high haze, a few snowflakes on the deck from last night. Measured 9″ of old snow. Little birds at the feeders. Lots of fresh fox tracks this morning. Filtered sunshine (high haze) during the day, gusty breezy by early afternoon. Thicker clouds and overcast afternoon, gusty breezes, high of 39 degrees. A tiny skiff of snow fell early evening. Thinner clouds and hazy moon-set around 1030pm.
Wednesday (Jan 24) high hazy clouds this morning and breezy, measured an average of 9″ of old snow. Fresh fox tracks again from last night. Small birds, woodpecker and 2 pine squirrels visiting. Warm gusty afternoon breezes, snow on roofs melting and dripping, overcast. Warmer than normal day, high of 44 degrees, cloudy and breezy. Lighter breezes after sundown. Pretty windy last night, storm came in before 2am with rain then snow.
Thursday (Jan 25) overnight low of 29 degrees, an inch of new snow and 9″ average on the ground. Cloudy this morning, snow flurry before lunch time. Lots of little birds and the woodpecker visited. Another snow flurry put down a trace early in the afternoon, then clouds breaking up and bits of sunshine, chilly breezes. Back to cloudy and scattered snow showers the rest of the afternoon, gusty breezes at times, high of 38 degrees. Snow showers after dark. Snowed about 2″ by 1230am.
Friday (Jan 26) overnight low of 22 degrees, snowed 2″ during the night, still snowing lightly this morning, measured 11″ of snow on the ground. Several nuthatches, 2 woodpeckers and a bunch of chickadees visiting, and later a pine squirrel. Light snow all morning and into the early afternoon, scant 1/4″ accumulation. Cloudy afternoon and light breezes, high of 31 degrees. Thinner clouds and temps dropping before midnight, fat waxing moon with a large halo.
Saturday (Jan 27) started snowing after 5am, overnight low of 18 degrees, overcast and snowing this morning. Fresh fox tracks. Small birds, hairy woodpecker and pine squirrel visiting. A male downy woodpecker visited – first sighting in over 10 years! Light snow falling all afternoon, about an inch before dark, high of 32 degrees. Another couple of inches of snow before midnight and breezy. Snowed all night until around 7am and warming up.
Sunday (Jan 28) overnight low of 26 degrees, snowed most of the night, warmed up by morning. We probably got around 6″ of new snow, but it squished down to 4.5″ by morning, average 14″ of snow on the ground. Fresh fox tracks. Trees dumping snow loads before lunch time. Nuthatches, chickadees and hairy woodpecker visiting. High of 41 degrees by early afternoon, thinner clouds some filtered sun at times. Cloudy and getting a little foggy just before dark.
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Idaho News:
2018 McCall Winter Carnival Sculpture Winners Announced
Star-News Bulletin January 26, 2018
Here is the list of winners of this year’s snow sculpting competition just announced by the McCall Area Chamber of Commerce.
1st Place: Ruby’s Kitchen, “Come Gee! Come Haw!,” 324 W. Lake St. (25)
2nd Place: Albertsons, “Home in McCall,” 132 E. Lake St. (39)
3rd Place: Best Western PLUS, “Warm Winter Wishes,” 211 S. 3rd St. (5)
4th Place: Brundage Mountain Resort /Payette Lakes Ski Patrol, “Polar Ice,” On top of Brundage Mountain. (7)
5th Place: Holiday Inn Express, “Racking Up Time In The Rockies,” 210 N. 3rd St. (11)
6th Place: Salmon River Brewery, “Ice Bar,” 411 Railroad Ave. (26)
7th Place: Krahn’s Home Furnishings, “Home Sweet Home,” 211 E. Lake St. (14)
8th Place: Frontier Communications, “Home Place like Snow,” 1st and Lenora Sts. (9)
9th Place: Payette National Forest, “Smokey Bear at Home” East Lake and Mission Sts. (22)
10th Place: Lardo Grill, “Sharlie at the Races,” 600 W. Lake St. (15).
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Award winning ice sculpture vandalized at the McCall Winter Carnival
by Brian Morrin Sunday, January 28th 2018 KBOI
McCall, Idaho — An ice sculpture was vandalized at the McCall Winter Carnival Saturday overnight in front of Ruby’s Kitchen.
The sculpture won first place in the sculpting competition and featured a dog sled team.
Christopher Braden, the owner of Ruby’s Kitchen said he drove into work Sunday morning to see pieces of the sculpture all over the ground. He said it’s very disheartening to see this happen, especially on the first weekend, because people won’t be able to see it in its full glory.
A Valley County dispatcher says the call came in at 5:27 a.m.
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Valley County sheriff puts out advisory on counterfeit money
By Max Silverson for The Star-News January 25, 2018
At least three cases involving counterfeit $20 and $100 bills have been uncovered by the Valley County Sheriff’s Office.
Graphic courtesy Valley County Sheriffs Office. Image shows an example of the counterfeit money that has been passed at Valley County businesses. Arrow points to symbols that show the bills are bogus.
“These notes are of very high quality but lack the denomination band that is woven into the bill,” Lt. Jason Speer said.
The most recent case were bogus bills passed at the D-9 supermarket store in Cascade.
A warning put out by the U.S. Secret Service said that the counterfeit bills may have Chinese and Cyrillic writing printed on the front of the note. The bills also do not have a visible watermark when held up to the light.
“The notes we have seen have the red writing rubbed off,” Speer said.
The counterfeit bills were only noticeable by the lack of watermark and denomination band.
The Secret Service is asking anyone who witnesses the passing of counterfeit money or any other information on the case to call the agency’s San Francisco field office at 415-576-1210.
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School canceled in Cascade amid flu outbreak
“I’ve been at the school for 27 years and this is the first time we’ve had to close because of illness,” Superintendent Pal Satori said.
Katie Terhune January 25, 2018 KTVB
Cascade, Idaho — School has been canceled for the rest of the week in the Cascade School District after a severe flu outbreak sickened nearly one-third of students.
Superintendent Pal Satori said flu has been affecting staff and students for several weeks, but attendance took a nosedive this week. Classes were canceled for Thursday and Friday.
The superintendent said that about 23 percent of students were absent Wednesday, but the number of kids who were actually sick was higher – totaling more than 30 percent of the district’s approximately 230 students.
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46 flu-related deaths reported in Idaho so far this season
Jan 26, 2018 – Local News 8
Boise, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) – Southeastern Idaho Public Health reports 46 influenza-associated deaths have occurred so far this season in Idaho.
Of those 46, four individuals were in southeast Idaho’s Health District 6, and according to officials, all four of those individuals were over the age of 50.
Last flu season, 72 people were reported to have died from flu-related illnesses in Idaho.
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Valley County pays $75,000 in employee’s wrongful termination claims
Joyce Wade says she suffered retaliation at detention center
By Tom Grote for The Star-News January 25, 2018
Valley County has paid $75,000 to settle the claim of a former county employee who said she was wrongly fired from her job in August 2016.
Joyce Wade of New Meadows had sought $500,000 from the county for what she said were a series of violations of her rights that culminated in her “retaliatory” firing, according to her claim.
Wade, 61, worked for Valley County for 20 years and was working as a detention officer at the Valley County Juvenile Detention Center in McCall when she was fired, the claim said.
… The settlement was the second in six months involving an employee of the county’s court services division.
In August, former county juvenile probation officer Christine Andersen was paid $36,000 and her attorney was paid $9,000 to settle a federal lawsuit.
The lawsuit claimed Andersen was illegally fired in 2014 after working 10 years for the county.
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Applications sought for $500 wildfire preparation grants
The Star-News January 25, 2018
Applications are now being accepted for local wildfire risk reduction projects as part of Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on May 5.
The $500 grants are funded by the National Fire Protection Association and State Farm..
Applicants should show how a $500 grant will reduce wildfire risk in their community.
Projects can include such activities a s community clean-up days, fire prevention workshops, and youth community service projects.
For project ideas and tips on creating a winning application, visit the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day website at wildfireprepday.org
For questions, contact McCall Fire & EMS Chief Mark Billmire at mark@mccallfire.com
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Snowmobiler urges caution after dangerous, deadly avalanches
Two people have died in the last two weeks after being trapped in avalanches in the Island Park area in eastern Idaho.
Morgan Boydston – KTVB January 22, 2018
Two people died in the last two weeks after being trapped in avalanches in the Island Park area in eastern Idaho.
The latest was a Montana man who was killed Saturday riding a motorized snow bike.
A Boise man was snowmobiling with friends in the same area, on the same day. Two of the people in his group got trapped in an avalanche, too, but they survived.
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Magnitude 4.3 Idaho earthquake felt in Utah, Wyoming
1/26/18 AP
Soda Springs, Idaho — A light but widely felt earthquake has shaken southern Idaho, northern Utah and western Wyoming.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude 4.3 quake at about 8:30 p.m. was centered about 8 miles (14 km) southeast of Soda Springs, Idaho, a town of about 3,000 people. It was felt 150 miles (240 km) to the south in Salt Lake City and in much of western Wyoming.
There are no reports of any damages or injuries.
Seismographers from the University of Utah say the quake is an aftershock of a 5.3 magnitude earthquake in the area in September. That quake brought a swarm of hundreds of aftershocks in the weeks that followed.
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Mining News:
Ask Midas: What Is Midas Gold Doing Today
January 24
Midas Gold Idaho wants to keep the community informed about the work we are doing at the Stibnite Gold Project site. The Ask Midas blog series gives the experts in our company a chance to answer some of the community’s most frequently asked questions and help clear up any misconceptions around the project.
Since Midas Gold is still in the permitting phase of our project, people often ask me what the company is working on right now. It is a question I enjoy answering because there is so much happening with our company.
What is Midas gold doing today?
We are officially in the permitting phase and planning for the future. We have completed much of our exploration work and, in 2016, we submitted our Plan of Restoration and Operations to the U.S. Forest Service. This plan explains how we would redevelop the site and, most importantly, how we will take care of the environment before, during and after mining. If you want to see the plan and take a look at what we have been working on, it is available for review on the U.S. Forest Service’s and our website.
Before we can begin operations at the project, we need to successfully earn more than 50 permits and licenses from the federal, state and local agencies. We are working on obtaining those permits now. Throughout this process, there will be many chances for the community to provide comments on the project. Keep an eye out for updates on our website for information on how you can get involved.
As we work through the permitting process, we are continuing to study the conditions at site. We regularly collect groundwater and surface water quality samples, monitor the aquatic life and study the geological conditions.
If you have a question you would like us to answer, please email it to community@midasgoldcorp.com.
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Collapsed mine shaft opens up in Silver City, creates 25-foot deep sinkhole
by KBOI News Staff Friday, January 26th 2018
(BLM Photo)
Silver City, Idaho (KBOI) — A collapsed mine shaft that opened up, creating a 25-foot deep hole in Silver City, has been filled in by the Bureau of Land Management.
The BLM says the five-foot wide sinkhole was located near the community park and near a campground.
“We notified the BLM about the issue and their response was great,” said Jim Hawe, Chairman of the Silver City Homeowners Association. “We really appreciate the effort they made. It couldn’t have gone any better.”
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The EPA made a surprise move that could protect the world’s largest salmon fishery
Bristol Bay supplies half the world’s sockeye
By Drew Griffin, Scott Bronstein and Patricia Dicarlo CNN Jan 27, 2018 Local News 8
In a surprise reversal, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it is withdrawing its plan to suspend environmental protections for an area of Alaska that is home to the world’s most valuable wild salmon fishery.
The EPA proposed last year to “reverse clean water safeguards” for the Bristol Bay watershed, paving the way for a massive gold and copper mine to be built in the region.
The controversial proposal would have canceled an EPA protection put in place during the Obama administration. After years of study, the EPA found in 2014 that a mine “would result in complete loss of fish habitat” in some areas of the bay, and that “all of these losses would be irreversible.”
The Bristol Bay watershed is one of the most pristine ecosystems in the world, supplying about half of the world’s sockeye salmon.
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Public Lands:
Big Creek Yellow Pine South Fork Collaborative
1/22/2018
This month’s Big Creek-Yellow Pine-South Fork Collaborative meeting has been cancelled. We will meet Thursday February the 22nd as planned. Attached to this email is the draft of the meeting minutes from December 14th.
attachment: BC-YP Meeting-December 14, 2017.pdf
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Forestry Day at the Idaho Legislature
1/25/2018 PNF FB
Yesterday, Payette National Forest Supervisor, Keith Lannom presented at the annual Forestry Day at the Idaho Legislature. The event is sponsored by the Society of American Foresters with the assistance of many others, and gives our state legislatures an update of the timber industry in the State.
From our National Forest lands, these benefits are being received throughout the state:
175 million board feet of timber have been cut in 2017. This equates to nearly 39,000 logging truck loads. The removal of crowded trees from dense tree stands, helps to return our national forests to more healthy conditions.
In some cases, timber is being harvested using Stewardship Contracts that exchange goods for services. In this case, timber value is being exchanged for much needed forest health restoration work such as fish & wildlife habitat improvements, noxious weed removal, road and trail maintenance, non-commercial thinning, bio-mass production, and fuels reduction in and near the wildland urban interface.
The Forest Service contributed $800 million, and 4,500 private sector jobs to the state in 2017 through our timber harvest projects to promote forest health restoration.
Idaho National Forests are partnering with the Idaho Department of Lands under the Good Neighbor Authority to further reduce fuels loads on our public lands, and contribute to our local timber industries and community economies.
Collaborative efforts bring all the stake holders to the table. On the Payette, collaboration with the Payette Forest Coalition has cut the time required for planning projects from 3 – 4 years, to 2 years.
The Forest Service throughout the state is fully engaged in restoring the health to our natural ecosystems on your public lands, while working with all members of the public to contribute to our local economies. Get involved with collaboration! These are your public lands, and a seat at the table is waiting for you.
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BLM Advisory Council meeting moved to February
Date: January 24, 2018
Contact: Michael Williamson mwilliamson@blm.gov (208) 384-3393
Boise, Idaho – The Bureau of Land Management is moving the previously announced January meeting of the Boise District Resource Advisory Council to Feb. 22, 2018 at 3948 Development Ave., Boise, ID, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The change is due to a scheduling conflict.
Resource Advisory Councils demonstrate that partnerships and inclusion are vital to managing sustainable, working public lands.
Planned agenda items at the meeting will be the Four Rivers Field Office Resource Management Plan scoping comments review, Wild Horse and Burro program, travel management planning, Soda Fire rehabilitation, Tri-State fuel break project and other field office updates.
“The RAC represents diverse public interests and provides invaluable input for managing our public lands,” said District Manager Lara Douglas. “Their feedback helps us make more informed decisions, resulting in better projects on the ground.”
A half-hour comment period, during which the public may address the RAC, will begin at 11 a.m. Depending on the number of people wishing to comment and time available, the amount of time for individual oral comments may be limited.
Resource Advisory Councils are critical in assisting the BLM in continuing to be a good neighbor in the communities we serve. The 15-member RAC provides advice and recommendations to the BLM on resource and land management issues within the BLM Boise District.
For more information about the upcoming RAC meeting, please contact Mike Williamson at (208) 384-3393 or mwilliamson@blm.gov
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Critter News:
Protecting your dog from canine influenza
By Michaela Leung Jan 25, 2018 Local News 8
Idaho Falls, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) – It’s not just people that get the flu. There is also Canine Influenza that dogs can get from each other.
It’s different from the human flu, so they can’t get it from you or vice versa. Most dogs recover, but sometimes it can be deadly. There haven’t been any reported cases in Idaho, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. The dog flu has been found in Oregon, Washington and Montana. Even though it’s not in our area, you shouldn’t wait until is to get your dogs vaccinated.
“It can even possibly pass from dog to dog by a person petting one animal and petting another,” says Dr. Leslie Stone, Northgate Veterinary Hospital in Idaho Falls.
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Pet Talk – Bladder stones in dogs and cats
By Dr. Karsten Fostvedt Jan 26, 2018 – IME
Bladder stones are physical aggregations of mineral substances in the bladder. They can occur in both dogs and cats. They may rub and irritate the lining of the bladder, increase the risk of bladder infections or lodge in the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body), causing an obstruction.
Several types of bladder stones occur in dogs. Struvite stones occur in the presence of bladder infections. Female dogs are predisposed to struvite stones. Calcium oxalate stones occur in certain breeds, as urate stones, which commonly occur in dogs with liver abnormalities.
Signs of bladder stones include frequent urination and urgency to urinate. There may be pain urinating and, often, blood may be seen in the urine. Bladder stones may lodge in the urethra, especially in male dogs, causing an obstruction and inability to urinate. Urinary obstruction is an emergency situation.
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Dogs on Deployment takes care of pets while their owners are serving overseas
By Ariel Min 1/22/2018
Wifi is a 4-year-old pit bull who loves belly rubs and attention. Her owner, who currently serves in the U.S. Air Force, has been deployed since last year – and she was able to quickly find a temporary home, thanks to Dogs on Deployment.
“[Her owner] was concerned that he wasn’t going to be able to find someone to watch her in the quick turnaround, but when we met her, we completely fell in love with her, and now we have her for a few months,” said Carla Mead, who is now a three-time boarder and a Los Angeles coordinator for Dogs on Deployment. For Mead and her husband Jon, this was the perfect way to support military service members while fulfilling dreams of fostering and caring for animals.
Dogs on Deployment is a volunteer-based nonprofit that helps military members find a temporary home for their pets while they are away. Since it started in 2011, more than 1,100 pets (despite the name, the service is not restricted to dogs) have been taken care of. Founders Shawn and Alisa Johnson, who served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corp respectively, saw the need firsthand and eventually set out to find a more practical solution for military members.
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Elmore County sheriff after dogs found dead: ‘Watch after your pets’
Four missing dogs were found dead in the same area right outside Mountain Home Monday.
Gretchen Parsons January 24, 2018 KTVB
Mountain Home residents are being told to keep a close eye on their pets after four missing dogs were found dead earlier this week.
The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office is still trying to determine exactly how the animals died, but it’s definitely causing concern for pet owners in the area.
On Monday afternoon, Elmore County sheriff’s deputies responded to the area near old Highway 30, a few miles outside Mountain Home.
They found two dead dogs that were reported missing by their owners.
Several hours later, two more dogs were found, also dead.
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Wolf control board has big balance, wants more $$, removal of 5-year expiration
Betsy Z. Russell The Spokesman-Review Jan 26, 2018
A state board charged with contracting to have problem wolves killed asked state lawmakers for another $400,000 on Friday, though the board has received that amount from the state each of the past four years and currently has $1.4 million in the bank; (you can read my full story here at spokesman.com)
Carl Rey, a member of the Idaho Wolf Control Depredation Board, said the annual $400,000 payments from the state general fund are part of deal struck with livestock industry and sportsmen, who also are contributing up to $110,000 each year to the fund. “We have found that we have carry-overs, obviously,” Rey told the Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. “We’re only asking now that we complete the five-year cycle that was originally intended.”
The board’s mission expires in June of 2019, but Gov. Butch Otter and the board plan to propose legislation this year to remove the expiration and make it a permanent, ongoing state expense, possibly at a lower annual level, reportedly around $220,000 a year. Rey said with the proposed legislation, lawmakers will get a chance to weigh in on that.
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KWVR Oregon Wolf Education weekly Wolf Report
Fourth week of January 2018
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Wyoming releases wolf hunting kill numbers
KIVI TV, Jan 26, 2018
Cheyenne, Wyo. (AP) – Seventy-six wolves were killed by hunters and others in Wyoming last year when the state took over management of the animals.
Ken Mills of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department says 43 wolves were legally hunted and one illegally hunted in the state during a licensed hunting season from October through December. That met the state’s hunting quota of 44 set by game managers.
About 2,500 hunting licenses were issued.
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Washington state man fined $8,000 for killing wolves
1/27/18 AP
Newport, Wash. — An eastern Washington state man who killed two wolves has been fined more than $8,000.
Fifty-five-year-old Terry Leroy Fowler of Liberty Lake received the fine Thursday in Pend Oreille County District Court after pleading guilty to two counts of unlawful taking of endangered wildlife.
Authorities say they began investigating the wolf deaths in Pend Oreille County in early 2016 and ultimately searched Fowler’s cabin and home.
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Mountain lion on runway delays flight at Idaho airport
1/24/18 AP
Ketchum, Idaho — An airplane approaching a rural Idaho airport had to abort its initial landing after a mountain lion was spotted on the runway.
The Idaho Mountain Express reports the Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey on Saturday night was delayed about 20 minutes due to the mountain lion.
Airport manager Chris Pomeroy says airport personnel attempted to corral the cougar, and its tracks later indicated it had been roaming outside the perimeter fence for a couple days.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials say a conservation officer shot the lion in order to protect the public.
Officials say the officer did not have access to a tranquilizer gun, and there was no way to safely trap the juvenile cougar in a timely manner.
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Idaho won’t have to alter trap rules to protect Canada lynx
By Keith Ridler – 1/25/18 AP
Boise, Idaho — Idaho doesn’t need to change trapping regulations where federally protected Canada lynx are likely to be caught in traps set for bobcats, a federal court said in a decision that reversed its earlier ruling.
U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill on Wednesday said he was reconsidering his prior decision based on new evidence put forward by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service making clear the agency allows the incidental capture of lynx that are released unharmed.
The federal agency exempting lynx caught by licensed trappers targeting bobcats, Winmill wrote, “makes it far less likely that illegal takes will occur in the future.”
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70 bison killed so far this year by Montana hunters
1/25/18 AP
Billings, Mont. — Montana wildlife officials say 70 bison have been shot by hunters so far this year.
The Billings Gazette reported Thursday that 59 of those bison were killed on the west side near West Yellowstone, while 11 were killed in the Gardiner area.
The Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes killed 39 bison, while 24 were killed by state hunters.
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Deer ‘too tired to move’ rescued from frozen reservoir in Colorado
by Oscar Contreras Jan 21, 2018 Scripps Media, Inc.
Lakewood, Colo. – A deer that was “too tired to move” was rescued from a frozen reservoir in Lakewood, Colorado on Sunday afternoon – and it was all caught on camera.
West Metro Fire Rescue responded to Main Reservoir in Lakewood sometime Sunday afternoon after getting a call from Lakewood Animal Control about a deer in trouble.
The deer was actually standing in the water, according to West Metro Fire Rescue officials, but was “too tired to move.”
Rescuers broke a path through the ice, grabbed onto an antler and then brought the deer back to shore, where he was warmed up inside an animal control van belonging to the Lakewood Police Department.
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Goose hunting season finds its way into Meridian subdivision
Hunters are firing off guns just yards away from some Meridian homes, landing unwelcome rewards in people’s property.
Morgan Boydston January 27, 2018 KTVB
Hunters are shooting geese out in the suburbs on the Meridian border and recently, it’s cause for concern.
It’s a tale as old as time as cities in once rural Idaho get built out. But is hunting right near homes and development legal?
Nearby residents – who live in Meridian city limits – tell KTVB hunters have been shooting geese out on an expansive field next to their homes on Chinden Boulevard and Linder Road for years without any issues. But recently,they say shotgun pellets have been peppering people’s roofs and geese have been landing in yards in the Paramount subdivision in the City of Meridian, including in the front yard of the Badigians.
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City of Nampa uses new methods to discourage crows from gathering in Downtown area
by KBOI News Staff Tuesday, January 23rd 2018
Nampa, Idaho (KBOI) — The City of Nampa has been trying methods to discourage crows from settling in downtown areas by creating loud noises and using “Bird be Gone” products.
The crows are gathering in large numbers because of a migration process that occurs every six and seven years, lasting several months.
According to the City of Nampa, the crows are causing damage to tree limbs, and produce excessive droppings on the ground.
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The Columbia Basin Bulletin
Weekly Fish and Wildlife News
http://www.cbbulletin.com
January 26, 2018
Issue No. 860
Table of Contents
* Preliminary Data Shows Steelhead Mortality From Gillnetting May Be Lower Than Thought
http://www.cbbulletin.com/440140.aspx
* Draft Report: Corps/States Effort To Prohibit Invasive Mussels Saw 25 Percent Increase In Watercraft Interceptions
http://www.cbbulletin.com/440139.aspx
* Coho Smolts Rescued From Gorge Hatchery During Fire Soon Headed To Lostine River As Part Of Reintroduction
http://www.cbbulletin.com/440138.aspx
* Salmon BiOp Challengers Argue New 2018 BiOp Due End Of Year Would Be Illegal Without EIS Foundation
http://www.cbbulletin.com/440137.aspx
* Draft $24 Million Albeni Falls Dam Wildlife Habitat Agreement Between Idaho, BPA Out For Comment
http://www.cbbulletin.com/440136.aspx
* Central Oregon’s Crooked River To Get Fish Ladder At Opal Springs, Freeing Up 120 Miles Of Habitat For Steelhead
http://www.cbbulletin.com/440135.aspx
* Puget Sound Chinook Plan: WDFW Commission Advises Fish Managers To Strike Better Conservation/Harvest Balance
http://www.cbbulletin.com/440134.aspx
* Organizations Working To Clean Up Oil Spill In Columbia River Estuary Near Astoria
http://www.cbbulletin.com/440133.aspx
* Washington Department Fish and Wildlife Director Unsworth Announces Resignation
http://www.cbbulletin.com/440132.aspx
* USFWS Initiates 5-Year ESA Status Review Of Kootenai River Sturgeon, Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit, Snake River Snail
http://www.cbbulletin.com/440131.aspx
* Study Indicates Vaccines Not Protecting Farmed Fish From Disease
http://www.cbbulletin.com/440130.aspx
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Fish & Game News:
Ice fishing event at Horsethief Reservoir draws hundreds of anglers
Annual event is geared toward getting kids and families interested in ice fishing
By Roger Phillips, Public Information Specialist
Monday, January 22, 2018
Ice anglers of all ages spent a day fishing at Horsethief Reservoir during the Ninth Annual Youth Ice Fishing Day on Jan. 20. The event was hosted by the nonprofit group, Idaho Youth Outdoors, to provide the families, especially youth, with a chance to enjoy Idaho and the many exciting adventures the great outdoors provides. Idaho Fish and Game, among many others, is a partner in the event.
“It’s a family friendly event, and we take care of all their needs to get them started fishing,” organizer Sean Cluff said.
The event is held annually, typically around the second weekend in January, Cluff said. People can get details at the Youth Outdoors website.
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F&G News Releases
https://idfg.idaho.gov/press
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Fun Critter Stuff:
California officers save chickens from road
by The Associated Press Tuesday, January 2nd 2018
(CHP Officer C.Lillie/California Highway Patrol via AP)
Los Angeles (AP) — It was a race against the cluck as California Highway Patrol officers scrambled to rescue nearly 20 chickens that ran through highway lanes near Los Angeles.
The agency says the birds blocked a portion of Interstate 605 in the Norwalk area Tuesday morning after their cage fell from the back of a truck.
The agency tweeted photos and video of the chickens on the highway and a motorcycle officer collecting them.
Officers managed to rescue 17 birds. Two died.
One tweet asked: “why DID the chickens cross the road? Because they obviously did not want to become ‘fast food’ on an LA area freeway, of course!”
source:
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Seasonal Humor:
Creative Firewood Stacking
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caption: Big Creek Ranger Station Switchboard (Kellogg Switchboard)
The Yellow Pine Times 