March 1, 2020 The Yellow Pine Times – Valley County, Idaho
Community Calendar:
March 8 – Time Change 2am
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day 3pm Yellow Pine Tavern
May 2 – Firewise Meeting 2pm at the Fire Hall
(details below)
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Local Events:
March 8 – Spring Ahead
Remember to set your clocks ahead next Sunday night. And change batteries in your smoke detectors.
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St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at the Tavern
March 17th Tuesday at 3pm. Corned Beef and Cabbage provided by the Tavern. Bring other dishes if you like. Spring is on the way!
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May 2 Firewise Meeting
YPFD is participating in the “Wildfire Safety/National Community Preparedness Day”.
There will be an open house on May 2nd at 2pm at YPFD.
There will be presentations/pamphlets regarding what YPFD and the fire district has to offer on fire safety and mitigation for our community.
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Village News:
2020 Yellow Pine Winter Census
We counted 27 people in Yellow Pine in January 2020.
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Moon & Venus
Thursday evening, February 27th, Yellow Piners had a beautiful view of the Moon near Venus in the western sky.
photo by Local Color Photography
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February Snow
This last week we had only 1/2″ snow fall giving us a total of 43 3/4″ for the month of February. The snow depth was 27″ on Sunday morning. Since the first of January we have had 82 1/3″ of snow fall.
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Yellow Pine US Mail
The 3-day a week mail delivery started Nov 1st. The Post Office in Yellow Pine is open six days a week year around: M-F 845am-245pm Saturday 9am-245pm. Forever Stamp: 55 cents. Support our local post office and purchase your holiday stamps here.
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Yellow Pine Transfer Station
Report the transfer station was last plowed Monday (Feb 17) and Lakeshore came in and emptied the bins on Thursday (Feb 13.)
Please do not abuse our Transfer Station or we may lose it. Household trash must be placed in the bins, flattened cardboard boxes can also go into the bins. Do not stack trash in front of the doors. Woody yard debris only for the burn pile. No furniture, appliances, tires or construction debris allowed, those items must be hauled out to the Donnelly station by you.
Yellow Pine Transfer Station (aka, the dump)
The Yellow Pine Transfer Station is located approximately 3 miles south on Johnson Creek Road.
The TRANSFER STATION is for household trash and yard waste:
* Household trash must be put inside (and fit) the dumpster;
* Yard waste (limbs, pine needles, brush, et.) goes in the burn pile on the south end of the turn-around;
* Cardboard boxes should be flattened before putting the in the dumpster,
The DUMPSTERS are NOT for:
* Furniture (take to Donnelly Transfer Station);
* Appliances (take to Donnelly Transfer Station).
The BURN PILE is NOT for:
* Cardboard boxes (flatten and put in dumpster);
* Furniture and appliances (take to Donnelly Transfer Station);
* Drywall and building material (take to Donnelly Transfer Station);
* Wire or fencing (take to Donnelly Transfer Station);
* Foam Rubber (take to Donnelly Transfer Station);
* Wood with metal (like nails) attached (take to Donnelly Transfer Station.)
When closing the DOORS on the front of the dumpsters:
* Make sure the “U” brackets at the top and bottom of the door are engaged;
* The retaining bar at the middle of the door is slid into the pipe;
* And the “L” bars at the bottom of the doors dropped into place.
The Yellow Pine Transfer Station is Valley County responsibility. If it is not kept tidy, use of the Transfer Station may be revoked. That would result in residents having to take all household trash and yard waste to the Donnelly Transfer Station.
If Dumpsters Are Full, Contact Lake Shore Disposal at: 208/634-7176
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Local Groups:
YPWUA News:
Second half of the water bill is due June 15, 2020.
The last Yellow Pine Water Users Shareholders meeting was Sunday July 7, 2019.
link: 20190707YPWUAminutes
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VYPA News:
The community hall committee’s goal is to have adequate heating installed in the main hall before the June VYPA meeting.
If folks have items for the community yard sale, please place them by the north wall in the community hall. If you see items you would like to purchase, you can pay Deb, Ronda, or Lynn. All funds support the community hall.
VYPA meetings for 2020 – June 13, 2pm; July 11, 2pm; August 8, 2pm; September 12, 2pm.
Village of Yellow Pine Association Meeting Minutes for September 21, 2019
link: 20190921 Village of Yellow Pine Association Meeting
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YPFD News:
YP Fire Commissioners:
Sue Holloway – District 1
Dan Stiff – District 2
Merrill Saleen – District 3
Fire Chief – Jeff Forster
Yellow Pine Fire Protection District Community Service Notice
The purpose of this letter is to show how you as a Yellow Pine Resident can help protect your structure against a wildland fire by being “Fire Wise.” Click the link: to view 20190724 Yellow Pine Fire Protection mitigation
We will do another class this spring/summer [2020] depending on interest. Training will resume in the spring. -Fire Chief Jeff
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Biz Listings:
The Corner (208) 633-3325
Closed for the winter.
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Yellow Pine Tavern (208) 633-2233
Winter Tavern Hours
Open M,W,F,Sat 9-2 4-8 Sun 9-2 Closed Tues,Thurs
Or Call 208 739-7086 or 208 633-2233 anytime will open as needed
Or check at house across the street next to Silver Dollar 365 Yellow Pine Ave
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Yellow Pine Lodge (208) 633-3377
Closed for Winter.
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Buck Horn Outfitters LLC 208-633-3614
Tom & Sarah Lanham
156 Yellow Pine Ave, Yellow Pine Id 83677
website:
Facebook:
Starting June 2020 We will be doing trail rides out of Yellow Pine along with summer pack / camping trips to high mountain lakes in the area!
Wapiti Meadow Ranch – Johnson Creek (208) 633-3217
or 208-315-3554 – cabin rentals
website:
Deadwood Outfitters
website:
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Local Fuel Suppliers
Amerigas Phone: (208) 634-8181
Ed Staub & Sons Phone: (208) 634-3833
Diamond Fuel & Feed Phone: (208) 382-4430
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Outside Biz that will service Yellow Pine:
The Star-News
subscribe:
A reminder that those who live in other states can subscribe to the online edition only since the mail can take days for hard copy to reach them.
Rocky Mountain Mechanical – Plumbing – Heating – Air conditioning
(208) 365-PIPE (7473), Emmett, will service Yellow Pine
Elkhorn Heating & Cooling
(208) 906-4067 Middleton, Idaho, will service Yellow Pine
B&T Safety Solutions LLC
208-271-1600 Based out of Donnelly
Snow removal, cleaning chimneys and stoves, we do cabin staining/chinking as well
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Follow The Yellow Pine Times on Facebook (updated more often than emails)
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Local Observations:
Monday (Feb 24) overnight low of 16 degrees, rain and snow last evening and snow after midnight gave us 1/2″ new snow and measured 29″ snow on the ground, mostly cloudy sky this morning and light breezes. Jays, female hairy woodpecker, chickadees and red-breasted nuthatches visiting, and later a clark’s nutcracker stopped by for suet. Cloudy and breezy at lunch time, high of 36 degrees. Mostly cloudy, breezy and flakes of snow late afternoon (no accumulation.) Mostly cloudy and calmer at dark. Mostly clear before midnight.
Tuesday (Feb 25) overnight low of 2 degrees, clear and very blue sky with a light breeze, measured an average of 29″ of snow on the ground. Lots of very vocal jays this morning. Sunny at lunch time, high of 42 degrees. Nutcracker and nuthatches visiting. Cloudy early afternoon, then clearing off before sunset. Partly hazy at dusk. Partly cloudy before midnight. A few specks of graupel fell before morning.
Wednesday (Feb 26) 24 hour low of 5 degrees (from Tuesday morning) and a few specks of graupel on the ground, mostly cloudy sky and measured 29″ of snow on the ground. Male and female hairy woodpeckers and a few jays along with red-breasted nuthatches visiting. Cloudy and mild at lunch time, high of 49 degrees. Mail truck made it in on time. Two male red-winged blackbirds showed up, and later a clark’s nutcracker. Partly cloudy, warm and breezy late afternoon. Still a little above freezing and mostly clear at dusk, bright thin crescent moon and bright Venus in the sky. Lots of stars out before midnight.
Thursday (Feb 27) overnight low of 9 degrees, clear and very blue sky and light breeze, measured an average of 28″ of snow on the ground this morning. Jays and nuthatches visiting. Sunny at lunch time, high of 50 degrees. Clark’s nutcrackers and mountain chickadees joined the jays and nuthatches at the feeders early afternoon,and later a dark-eyed junco showed up for a short time. Partly hazy and calm late afternoon. Partly hazy at dusk, bright thin crescent moon and Venus paired to the west. Mostly clear sky after midnight.
Friday (Feb 28) overnight low of 13 degrees, mostly wispy clouds and light breeze, average of 28″ of snow on the ground. Red-breasted nuthatches making little “hank hank” calls, noisy jays all over the neighborhood, fast little chickadees zipping about. Thin hazy overcast after lunch time, high of 54 degrees. Clark’s nutcrackers arrived early afternoon. Hazy overcast and light breezes mid-afternoon. A few dark-eyed juncos stopped by later in the day. Thicker clouds late afternoon and a bit breezy. Shots fired just before 6pm (elk stealing hay.) Snowmobile traffic. County plow truck returned early evening from a run to clear rocks and ice off the roads. Thin high haze at dusk, fuzzy crescent moon. Hazy sky before midnight.
Saturday (Feb 29) 24 hour low of 18 degrees (from Friday morning) dark overcast, quite breezy and a few flakes of snow falling this morning, measured 27″ of snow on the ground. Jays, nutcrackers, hairy woodpeckers, red and white-breasted nuthatches, a couple of juncos and a few chickadees visiting, elk on the golf course across from the fire hall. Light snow falling early afternoon and calmer, high of 40 degrees. Gusty breezes and thick gray clouds late afternoon, temperatures dropping. It was below freezing at dusk and cloudy. Cloudy before midnight. Skiff of snow fell during the night.
Sunday (Mar 1) overnight low of 19 degrees, mostly cloudy sky, trace of new snow and 27″ snow on the ground. Local pine squirrel popped in for a brief visit, clark’s nutcrackers, jays, red-breasted nuthatches, chickadees and several dark-eyed juncos at the feeders. Partly cloudy and breezy before lunch time, than calmer by noon. Partly cloudy and breezy all afternoon, high of 39 degrees. Temperatures dropping after sundown, below freezing at dusk and mostly clear sky.
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Idaho News:
Maupin, Hasbrouck to run again for Valley commission
Brockmann to step down as prosecuting attorney
By Drew Dodson for The Star-News Feb 27, 2020
Valley County commissioners Sherry Maupin and Elt Hasbrouck will seek new terms, while Valley County Prosecuting Attorney Carol Brockmann has decided to retire.
Brockmann, Hasbrouck and Maupin made their intentions known prior to next Monday’s opening of formal candidate declarations. The filing period ends March 13.
Maupin and Hasbrouck each will seek the Republican nomination for their seats in the May 19 primary election. The general election is Nov. 3.
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McCall firefighters to receive medal of honor for response after home explosion
by Haley Squiers Sunday, February 23rd 2020
McCall, Idaho (CBS2) — It’s been almost a year since a deadly home explosion in McCall.
Now, two of the fire fighters first who helped that day are being awarded medals of honor for their quick work.
“This is just the epitome of a community, faced with something horrific and everybody coming together as a team,” said Jon Metz, now with Nampa Fire Department. “You know, Jason and I, we’re just kind of the spear.”
Both these men are being awarded medals of honor coming up on August 28.
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Fundraising underway for Warren woman who lost home to fire
By Tom Grote for The Star-News Feb 27, 2020
Photo by Paul Hefner. Photo shows the fire that destroyed the home of Margaret Patten in the remote community of Warren on Feb. 16.
Fundraising is underway to assist a long-time Warren resident whose home was destroyed in a fire last week.
Margaret Patten, 71, was left homeless following the fire, which happened about 4 p.m. on Feb. 16.
Patten was not at home at the time and was not injured. The cause of the fire was not known.
The 20-year-old cabin was located near the Warren airstrip about 45 miles northeast of McCall. The area is only accessible by snowmobile in the winter.
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Free Medicare workshop planned March 11 at McCall library
The Star-News Feb 27, 2020
A free Medicare workshop for those turning 65 and those approaching Medicare eligibility will be held in McCall on Wednesday, March 11 starting at 6 p.m. at the McCall Public Library, 218 East Park Street
Medicare workshops are designed to introduce the various parts of Medicare and the benefits associated with the program. Sessions cover enrollment deadlines for Medigap, Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plans, and how the different parts of Medicare work together.
Staff with the state’s Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors program, a unit of the Idaho Department of Insurance, conduct the workshops. To register, call the SHIBA Helpline at 1-800-247-4422.
source:
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Horseshoe Bend man hit by pickup, killed on Highway 55
Idaho State Police have identified the victim as Danny McReynolds. He was 51.
KTVB February 29, 2020
Horseshoe Bend, Idaho — A Horseshoe Bend man died at the scene Friday night after a pickup truck struck him while he was walking on Idaho Highway 55 just north of Horseshoe Bend.
Idaho State Police on Saturday identified the victim as Danny McReynolds. He was 51 years old.
ISP and the Boise County Sheriff’s Office began investigating at about 8:50 p.m.
[Note: Hwy 55 was closed for several hours Friday evening, traffic rerouted via Jerusalem Valley. – per HSB FB page]
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Idaho History:
Flashback Friday: Did Boise steal the Idaho capital from Lewiston?
In 1863, the Idaho territorial capital was established in Lewiston Idaho. So, how did it end up in Boise?
Joe Parris KTVB February 29, 2020
Boise, Idaho — Throughout the 1860s, one of the biggest Idaho moments was the territory’s capital moving from Lewiston to Boise.
Idaho didn’t become a state until 1890, but the territory’s founding in 1863 set Lewiston as its capital since it was a growing commercial center in the area.
The territory’s first governor was from Lewiston, so he argued that the city was the best location for the territory’s capital.
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A Few of Grangeville’s Leap Year Eligibles’: Men turn the tables for this 1900s tradition
Other than a course correction on our calendar, February 29 is also traditionally known as the day women can propose to men, but why?
Brian Holmes KTVB February 28, 2020
… The old story attributes the switch to Saint Bridget in the fifth century, who told Saint Patrick that women have to wait too long for their suitors to propose. As a compromise, Saint Patrick said women would get one day every four years to make their move.
Fast forward a few hundred years, to Grangeville, Idaho in the early 1900s.
Home to a population of about 1,000 people, dusty streets and shady saloons. Enough for an ensemble of bachelors who many thought should be off the market.
So, a few days before February 29, 1908, the Grangeville Globe published a prospectus of prospects to the clamoring, waiting and wholly prepared members of the fairer sex.
full story w/video:
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Mining News:
Final Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed Expansion of Smoky Canyon Mine Available for Review
Analysis shows proposal would bolster high-paying jobs, minimize environmental footprint
February 28, 2020 Bureau of Land Management
Soda Springs, Idaho – The Bureau of Land Management Idaho Falls District and Caribou-Targhee National Forest today released a Final Environmental Impact Statement analyzing different alternatives for expanding the phosphate mine at Smoky Canyon, east of Soda Springs. The agencies are seeking public input on the FEIS and draft U.S. Forest Service’s Record of Decision prior to releasing final RODs later this year. The agencies identified Alternative 1 as the preferred alternative.
Alternative 1 strikes a balance between resource extraction and conservation while providing opportunities for high-paying jobs in the local community. If approved, the East Smoky Panel Mine Project would sustain approximately 600 jobs for an additional three years at the existing Smoky Canyon Mine and Don Plant processing facility, generating approximately $180 million in associated salaries and supporting 1,326 indirect jobs in the region.
The J.R. Simplot Company proposed expanding the Smoky Canyon Mine into the East Smoky Panel by developing a single linear open pit in seven sequential phases, enabling waste rock to be backfilled into previously mined portions of the pit. This design is intended to reduce certain impacts associated with the mining process.
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Public Lands:
Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project FEIS and Draft ROD Available
2/27/2020
You are subscribed to Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project for USDA Forest Service. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and draft Record of Decision (ROD) are now available. The objection period will run 45-days following the publication of Legal Notice in the newspaper of record, the Idaho Statesman, which is expected to be published February 28, 2020. The Notice of Availability (NOA) is scheduled to appear in the Federal Register March 6, 2020.
Dear Interested Party,
The Huckleberry Landscape Restoration Project FEIS and draft ROD have been completed and a notification was sent to those who have previously requested to be updated on the project or have submitted specific written comments related to the project via the GovDelivery system. The Huckleberry Project proposes landscape restoration treatments on approximately 67,000 acres on the Council Ranger District of the Payette National Forest. This is the fourth project on the Forest that is part of the Weiser – Little Salmon Headwaters Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project. Proposed restoration activities include timber harvest, biomass harvest, road reconstruction, road realignment, temporary road construction, road decommissioning, culvert removal, culvert replacement, thinning of sub-merchantable trees, prescribed fire, and other actions.
Specific vegetation treatments are proposed to enhance northern Idaho ground squirrel habitat, a threatened species as listed by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as well as species dependent on dry coniferous forests (e.g., white-headed woodpecker), while maintaining habitat for other Forest sensitive and ESA-listed species. Proposed recreation improvements include developed and dispersed recreation site improvements, motorized and non-motorized trail development and realignment, trailhead improvements, and the conversion of Smith Mountain Lookout to a public rental cabin.
The draft ROD identifies a modified Alternative 2 as the Selected Alternative. The Responsible Official who will issue a decision on this project is Forest Supervisor, Linda Jackson. A hard copy of the FEIS, draft ROD, and additional information regarding this proposed project can be obtained from: Mark Fox (project lead), 2092 Highway 95, Council, Idaho, 83612, (208)253-0164, mark.fox@usda.gov.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was originally released for public comment on June 21, 2019. It has now been finalized in response to the comments received. The FEIS, draft ROD and other additional information are available for review at the project webpage at (link) Persons interested in receiving updates about this project may subscribe to GovDelivery for project updates via email by clicking the link “Subscribe to Email Updates” on the right side of the project web page under the “Get Connected” panel.
This proposed project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218 Subpart B. This project is not related to the Hazardous Fuels Reduction Act (HFRA). The Intermountain Regional Forester is the Objection Reviewing Officer.
Eligibility to File Objections
Objections will be accepted only from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project either during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with § 218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific, written comments regarding the proposed project unless based on new information arising after designated opportunities.
Individual members of organizations must have submitted their own comments to meet the requirements of eligibility as an individual. Objections received on behalf of an organization are considered as those of the organization only. If an objection is submitted on behalf of a number of individuals or organizations, each individual or organization listed must meet the eligibility requirement of having previously submitted comments on the project (§ 218.7). Names and addresses of objectors will become part of the public record.
Contents of an Objection
Incorporation of documents by reference in the objection is permitted only as provided for at § 218.8(b). Minimum content requirements of an objection are identified in § 218.8(d) include:
* Objector’s name and address with a telephone number if available; with signature or other verification of authorship supplied upon request;
* Identification of the lead objector when multiple names are listed, along with verification upon request;
* Name of project, name and title of the responsible official, national forest/ranger district where project is located, and
* Sufficient narrative description of those aspects of the proposed project objected to, specific issues related to the project, how environmental law, regulation, or policy would be violated, and suggested remedies which would resolve the objection.
* Statement demonstrating the connection between prior specific written comments on this project and the content of the objection, unless the objection issue arose after the designated opportunity(ies) for comment.
Filing an Objection
Written objections, including any attachments, may be submitted to the reviewing officer through the project web page: (link) Simply click on “Comment /Object on Project” on the right side of the page and fill out the web form with your comments or attachments. Written objections, including any attachments, may also be addressed to Reviewing Officer, Intermountain Region USFS, 324 25th Street, Ogden, Utah 84401; or fax to 801-625-5277. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered objections are: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Electronic objections may also be submitted in a format such as an email message, pdf, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), and Word (.doc or .docx) to objections-intermtn-regional-office@udsa.gov Objections must be submitted within 45 days following the publication date of this legal notice in the newspaper of record. It is the responsibility of Objectors to ensure their objection is received in a timely manner (§ 218.9).
The publication date in the Idaho Statesman, newspaper of record, is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection to this project. Those wishing to object to this proposed project should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source.
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Critter News:
Americans spent nearly $100 billion on their pets in 2019
by Sarah Wynn Friday, February 28th 2020 KBOI
Ever feel like you’re spending too much money on your pet? Well, you could be right.
In 2019, Americans spent $95.7 billion dollars on their furry friends, according to the American Pets Products Association.
So where did all the money go? The American Pets Products Association said Americans spent nearly $37 billion on food and treats alone.
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Pet Talk – What is fecal incontinence?
By Dr. Karsten Fostvedt Feb 28, 2020 IME
Fecal incontinence occurs when a loss of control of the lower bowel and rectum allows feces to be passed at inappropriate times or places. Fecal incontinence may be neurogenic in origin and associated with the failure of nervous sensation. In these cases, the animal does not realize that it is defecating and does not assumes a normal posture for defecation. On the contrast, some animals have urge incontinence. This occurs with uncontrolled are strong urges to defecate. In these cases, the animal acutely needs to defecate and is aware of that need.
Diseases of the nerves in the lower spine, of the rectum and anus, and of the large intestine can all result in fecal incontinence diseases of the nerves in the lower spine include intervertebral disc disease, and chronic arthritic changes to the lower spine. Urge incontinence can result from inflammation of the colon or rectum. Some older animal’s developed incontinence from a decline in their mental status or senility, which leads them to become less attentive to many aspects of daily life.
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Ranchers concerned about threat posed by Oregon’s wolf population
by Alex Hasenstab and KVAL.com staff Friday, February 28th 2020
The executive director of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association says the increasing Oregon wolf population threatens the livelihood of ranchers.
At least four wolf pups were born last fall to the Indigo pack.
The pack ranges in southeast Lane and northereast Douglas counties.
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Snowdon to host World Wildlife Day party at Ruby’s March 7
The Star-News Feb 27, 2020
Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary will celebrate World Wildlife Day with appetizers, a raffle and a silent auction on Saturday, March 7, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Ruby’s Kitchen.
World Wildlife Day is a United Nations program to raise awareness of wild animals.
Proceeds from the event will help Snowdon take care of orphaned and injured animals, such as Chewy, an orphaned black bear cub found by a hunter last October.
Chewy was emaciated and suffering from an abscessed injury to his leg when he was brought in. Snowdon staff and volunteers nursed him back to health, and he and two other cubs will be ready to be released this spring.
Snowdon provides native habitat and natural conditions that help heal and rehabilitate wildlife and help them assimilate back into the wild.
Cost for the event is $50 per person and includes an appetizer buffet and a drink.
Tickets are available for purchase at Ruby’s Kitchen, 324 W. Lake St., from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.
Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary also accepts donations. For more information or to make a donation, call 208-634-8050, visit http://snowdonwildlife.org or visit the Snowdon Facebook page.
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Friday deadlines noted for 4-H livestock, horse programs
The Star-News Feb 27, 2020
Youths who plan to participate in the 4-H Large Animal Livestock and Horse programs must register and pay their enrollment fee by Friday.
To register, visit (link). The yearly enrollment fee is $30.
For more information, contact the Valley County 4-H office at 208-382-7190 or email valley@uidaho.edu
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Idaho deer and elk harvests down
Local News 8 Feb 25, 2020
Boise, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) – Fewer hunters harvested fewer deer and elk during the 2019 hunting seasons.
The Idaho Fish and Game Department reports statewide elk harvest was down about 8% and deer harvests down 13% from year-ago levels. The number of actual deer hunters was down by 5.5% while elk hunter numbers were down about 1.5%. Success rates were down for both.
Specifically, Fish and Game statistics indicate there were 4,200 fewer mule deer hunters last fall and 3,500 fewer white-tail hunters.
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Pronghorn plunges off cliff narrowly missing rock climbers south of Boise
by CBS2 News Staff Wednesday, February 26th 2020
Boise, Idaho (CBS2) — A doe pronghorn plunged to her death Tuesday after running full speed off the cliffs of Hammer Flat south of Boise near Lucky Peak.
The pronghorn narrowly missed a group of rock climbers staging below.
The doe was collared, and a part of a newly-launched pronghorn project designed to learn more about the seasonal movements of pronghorn in the area. According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the doe had already provided staff with some valuable movement information.
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Bald eagle crash likely caused by lead poisoning
Feb 24, 2020 Local News 8
(TRC Staff) Dr. Dan Lorimer examined the eagle for potential eye damage.
Teton Raptor Center veterinarians are still hoping to save a bald eagle which crashed through the window of a Jackson area home last month. But what began as treatment of external injuries has turned out to be something a bit more serious.
Experts now believe the eagle may suffer from lead poisoning, which may have caused the 30-year-old bird to crash through the window.
After the incident, Raptor Center Rehab Director Meghan Warren determined the eagle had no fractures, but was suffering from body, head, and eye trauma with two lacerations that needed to be sutured.
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Wednesday session to discuss tracking long-billed curlew
The Star-News Feb 27, 2020
Heather Hayes of the Intermountain Bird Observatory will discuss the long-billed curlew and how students can track its summer migration on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Barn Owl Books in McCall.
Hayes, the observatory’s community science coordinator, will also talk about the long-billed curlew’s nesting surveys in the local area.
The Intermountain Bird Observatory will deploy transmitters on two birds in the local area this spring so students and community members can track their migration on a tracking map.
Long-billed curlews, which are North America’s largest shorebird, spend spring and early summer in the McCall area before migrating to California’s Central Valley or Mexico.
The project is part of a partnership between the Payette Children’s Forest and the Intermountain Bird Observatory.
Barn Owl Books is located at 616 N. Third St. Suite 110.
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Feds reject removal of 4 Snake River dams in key report
By Gillian Flaccus – 2/28/20 AP
A long-awaited federal report out Friday rejected the idea of removing four hydroelectric dams on a major Pacific Northwest river in a last-ditch effort to save more than a dozen species of threatened or endangered salmon, saying such a dramatic approach would destabilize the power grid, increase overall greenhouse emissions and more than double the risk of regional power outages.
The four dams on the lower Snake River in eastern Washington are part of a vast and complex hydroelectric power system operated by the federal government in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
Environmental groups who have pushed for years for the dams to come down immediately blasted the report. The three agencies in charge of overseeing the sprawling hydropower system recommended an alternative that includes a variety of strategies, including fine-tuning the amount of water that spills over the dams for fish.
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Fish & Game News:
Bill would end bipartisan rule for Fish and Game Commission
Associated Press February 26, 2020
Boise, Idaho (AP) – Roughly a month after one of Idaho’s newest Fish and Game Commissioners had to step down because of his political affiliation, a panel of lawmakers has approved a bill to remove the commission’s bipartisan membership requirements.
The bill would end the current rule that no more than four members of the seven-member commission be from the same political party.
The Times-News reported it was approved by the House Resources and Conservation Committee on Tuesday.
The commissioners set hunting and fishing regulations and other wildlife policy.
The bill now goes to the full House.
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Concerned citizens report an increase number of dogs chasing deer in the Clearwater Region
By Jennifer Bruns, Regional Communications Manager
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Dogs chasing deer is becoming a common call in the Clearwater Region lately. Concerned citizens reported a spike in dogs chasing deer numbers in the Kamiah, Kooskia and Grangeville areas. Deer are being chased, injured and at times eaten alive by dogs running at large.
Pet owners have a duty to monitor and keep their dogs under control both inside and outside city limits. Deer and other big game animals must expend precious energy reserves to avoid harassment by dogs. The deer are cold and struggling to survive the remainder of the winter while dogs are full of energy ready to run. This is a problem that can be prevented. Dog owners are urged to keep track of dogs, and train them to not chase or harass wildlife.
It is against Idaho Code for dogs to track, pursue, harass, attack, injure or kill big game, unless otherwise allowed under Idaho Code. An example of this would be the lawful use of hounds for bear or lion hunting.
Any peace officer, or other person authorized to enforce laws, may destroy the offending animal. In addition, the animal’s owner may receive a criminal citation.
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See and hear a massive spring waterfowl migration at Fort Boise WMA
By Roger Phillips, Public Information Supervisor
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Photo by Roger Phillips/Idaho Fish and Game
Snow geese flock to the Wildlife Management Area by the tens of thousands
Sometimes it’s a distant cackling sound that’s your first sign snow geese are arriving, or it may be the tell-tale, V-shaped flocks high in the sky. Regardless, it means a feathered fireworks display is about to start at Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area near Parma.
The 1,630-acre WMA is owned and operated by Idaho Fish and Game and funded by hunters, who flock to the area during fall and winter for waterfowl and upland game bird hunting. But starting in late February and running through March, visitors come armed with cameras and binoculars instead of shotguns to witness one of the most massive wildlife migrations in Southwest Idaho.
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More F&G News Releases
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Crazy Critter Stuff:
‘You guys are angry’: Ada County sheriff’s deputy has hilarious run-in with trio of turkeys
The comical confrontation was caught on the deputy’s body camera.
Tyson Miller February 25, 2020 KTVB
Kuna, Idaho — Ada County sheriff’s deputies are no strangers to dealing with people who may be less-than-thrilled to see them, especially during a traffic stop.
But on a recent Sunday, it wasn’t a driver who gave a deputy a hard time; It was a group of belligerent turkeys.
Dep. Bryce Bienz had just finished giving a driver a warning on Eagle Road in Kuna on Feb. 16 when three turkeys decided they didn’t like what was going on – and were going to let Bienz know about it.
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Seasonal Humor:
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The Yellow Pine Times 