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What you need to know about IDFG check stations |
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October 6, 2016 |
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By Roger Phillips
IDFG Public Information Specialist
Hunting seasons are here, and hunters will see
Fish and Game check stations throughout the
state. Remember that all hunters, anglers and
trappers must stop at Fish and Game check
stations, regardless of whether they’ve
harvested game.
Department employees and volunteers typically
interview 10,000 to 20,000 hunters at check
stations, and see up to 2,500 harvested animals.
“The primary goal is to get an immediate
feedback on how the season is going,” said Brad
Compton, Fish and Game’s assistant wildlife
bureau chief. “Check stations are invaluable.
Within a few weeks, we can put our hands on
hundreds of animals, and that can tell us a lot
about them.”
Biologists can determine the ages deer and elk
harvested, take tissue samples to test for
diseases, such as chronic wasting disease. CWD
has never been detected in Idaho, but it is
found in neighboring states.
Check stations also allow biologists to see the
body condition of animals harvested to see how
big-game animals are faring before heading into
winter.
Hunters may be asked what areas they are
hunting, and they can be assured the department
is not giving away their favorite hunting spots.
It’s another way to track what hunters are
seeing and harvesting in different areas.
Although enforcement isn’t the primary focus of
biological check stations, hunters can be cited
for violating rules. Here are some reminders to
make your check station visit pleasant, quick
and efficient, and common mistakes to avoid:
* Failure to keep evidence of sex. Even in either-sex hunts, the head or
other evidence of sex needs to be naturally
attached to the carcass until you get it home.
In hunts with point restrictions, the antlers
must accompany the carcass.
* In seasons restricted to mule deer or white-tail deer only, proof of
species must remain naturally attached. If you
remove the head, you must leave the fully-haired
tail attached.
* Failure to properly validate your tag. Make sure the notches for the
correct day and month are fully removed from
your tag immediately after you harvest the
animal. The tag must be attached to the largest
part of the carcass.
* Failure to have a proxy statement. If you’re transporting game for
someone else, you must have a proxy statement.
Details on these rules and others can be found
on page 100 of the Big Game rules.
It will save you and them time if the animal is
easily accessible. It takes a few minutes to
collect all the data we need, so feel free to
shut off your vehicle and step out to stretch
your legs.
Please use caution when pulling into and out of
a check station. Keep an eye out for hunters and
staff walking around the station, and be careful
if you are pulling out onto a busy highway.
Hunters should also retain all usable meat from
big game animals as required by law. A detailed
description can be found on page 95 of the big
game rules booklet. Hunters are responsible for
keeping game meat from spoiling.
Chris Wright, Fish and Game’s assistant bureau
chief of enforcement, said the most common way
game meat spoils is hunters not skinning and
cooling the carcass in a timely manner.
Wright said conservation officers at check
stations use discretion when deciding whether to
cite someone who has violated a rule, but “waste
of game is one of the things we have the lowest
tolerance for.” |
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