The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) has distributed a brochure misleading the public about a mandatory legal order restricting recreational trapping of wolves in the state’s grizzly bear habitat when the bears are active on the landscape. In March 2024, federal judge Candy W. Dale issued an order prohibiting Idaho from authorizing the trapping and snaring of wolves in the Idaho Panhandle, Clearwater, Salmon, and Upper Snake regions on public and private lands between March 1 and November 30 to prevent the unlawful harm or killing of grizzly bears protected under the Endangered Species Act.
In the brochure, IDFG incorrectly states that wolf trapping and snaring can begin as early as September 10, a time when grizzly bears are particularly active as they stock up on food and forage before retreating to their dens for the winter. In a brief disclaimer, the brochure states:
“The wolf trapping season in Idaho is the subject of litigation in federal court. Before setting wolf traps, trappers must check the website to see which trapping season is open: idfg.idaho.gov/rules/big-game.”
The URL leads to a web page where users can download the updated brochure, which includes updates to the wolf trapping season based on the judge’s order on pages 81-83.
“Judge Dale’s decision is not a footnote, but a final, binding legal remedy. IDFG is spreading misleading information that could turn otherwise law-abiding trappers into poachers and ultimately result in injured or dead grizzly bears,” said Ben Scrimshaw, attorney at Earthjustice.
Background:
In July 2021, Idaho expanded the dangers of wolf trapping to include grizzly bears by establishing a permanent wolf trapping season on private lands across the state, removing limits on the number of wolves a person can kill, and creating financial incentives for wolf killing by increasing wolf quotas and implementing state-sponsored wolf kills conducted by private contractors.
Earthjustice represented the Center for Biological Diversity, Footloose Montana, Friends of the Clearwater, Gallatin Wildlife Association, Global Indigenous Council, Humane Society of the United States, International Wildlife Coexistence Network, Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment, Sierra Club, Trap Free Montana, Western Watersheds Project, Wilderness Watch, and Wolves of the Rockies in the lawsuit challenging the permanent hunting season.