nybody else has heard thisGround squirrels endangered in Idaho

I would suspect the rule would not go into effect until after the next license year. IDK, for sure...

grndsquirrel.jpg
 
Well, it seems to me this Idaho ground squirrel thing is getting more complicated and messy. They're saying that here in so.west Idaho there are four different subspecies. Two are endangered and two aren't. It's really hard to tell them apart and you maybe shootibg all four in any one area. So they're saying it's best to hold off shooting any until they come up with something more positive. There's supposecd to be a coffee/meeting with rep. Bilboa and the director of F & G to discuss it with sportsmen one day next week. If you'd like to check out our club forum for more info, it's at idahovarminthunters.com/forum, look under heading, Future I V H Events. Our pres. and sec., Loren and Gary, are doing a good job of keeping us informed.
 
Hey Bob,

Thank You for posting up here.

It is true, as of right now, it is illegal to shoot ground squirrels (GS) in SW Idaho. The primary GS is the Piute GS. Which is if you will read the list of PROTECTED Idaho Species, the Piute and the other 2 subspecies are on that list.

I have contacted both State Representatives and a Senators Office. State Rep Bilboa met with the Director of Idaho F&G, and the Head State Non-Game Biologist. They have been in meetings since Monday.

IVH President Loren and I attended a meeting yesterday at the Powerline F&G Office in Nampa. They told us that F&G was having another meeting today to decide if they were going to take the Piute and subspecies off the State Protected Species list.

The 2 areas that are shown in the IDFG Regulations booklet, are areas that have squirrels species that are protected by the Federal Government, they are on either the Federal Endanger or Threatened List, which means there is a whole different set of rules for that area. The 2 areas that are Federally Protected are just across the Payette River, right here in the town I live.

The new Regs came out a week ago, and the new species were included in the list at the top of Page 44 of the Upland Game Regs. The squirrels list are State F&G Protected, not on the Feds Registry yet!

State Rep Bilboa confirmed with me that No Legsilation has been presented to the State Legislature on this matter.

We are standing by for the conclusion of the meeting today, to find out if the F&G has pulled the Piute off the list.

Please keep calling or emailing IDF&G to let them you are concerned with this issue.

Thank You!
Gary Mathews
Idaho Varmint Hunters, Inc.
 
It's an Idaho F & G protection list. They claim they put all ground squirrels state wide on the list to keep fed. F & G from getting involved.
 
UPDATE Thursday 3-29-2012

Good Morning Everyone.

I called and spoke to Debbie at IDFG, asking her if there was anything new or news worthy.
She told me that Rex has done some homework in the last couple days. He went back into the archived IDFG Meeting Minutes, and has researched the whole squirrel issue, back to the beginning from when they first listed the squirrels by species classifications.

What Rex found was; the squirrels in the SW Idaho have been misclassified. They were given a name that was incorrect. Appearently; A part of the name was omitted, or left off.

If you will look at the Ground-Dwelling Squirrels of the Pacific Northwest - turn to the back of the booklet to the Range Maps. Second Row - Second from the Left it says "Piute Ground Squirrel (spermophilus mollis), on the map you will see 3 different colored areas - Orange, Yellow, and Tan. According to Rex - the Tan area is where the Piute (spermophilus mollis) actually lives. Therefore, Rex is working to determine the correct species in our area.

They are going to be having a meeting today to make the determination about taking these squirrels off the list, or to reclassify the local populations.

Debbie told me that she would call me as soon as she knows something.

I would like to Thank everyone that has called IDFG and voiced your feelings on this issue. The Out-of-State phone calls have helped greatly. I am actually suprised that Idaho Varmint Hunters Forums and Facebook have such a reach, and such a following. Thank You so very much for the support for all of Idaho.

I forgot to mention: Debbie told me that Rex is really concerned and is working really hard to get this done prior to April 14, so that we can go ahead and hold the Whistlepig Tournament.
I really appreciate Rex's hard work, and concern for IVH. Thank You Rex!

When you call IDFG, please tell Debbie to Thank Rex for his hard work.

Gary Mathews
IVH Founder/Sec/Tres
 
I just read Gary's last post on our club forum. I guess F & G is going to let us shoot ground squirrels and have our "whistle pig" tournament for now. It's not really official yet but a letter from F & G is on the way to our club president. Gary and Loren are doing a great job of keeping on top of this fiasco and keeping us informed.
 
phillip,
for now, we can shoot them, south of the payette river. That may change in the future. Call F & G just to make sure. They're supposed to be sending a letter to our club, outlining exactly where we can shoot them but so far we haven't received anything. Maybe we need to flood them with calls again!
 
philip,

The North edge of the Payette River from the Snake River to the Montour Bridge, then North along the Sweet/Ola Hwy.

Anything South or West of the Payette is good to go - at least we THINK SO!

The letter from IDFG that we are expecting - should outline the areas, if any, that are not protected!

When we get that letter, I will be posting it on our Idaho Varmint Hunters Forums.

Gary
 
The Idaho Varmint Hunters whistle pig tournament has been canceled because we have never received the "official" letter they promised us. The fine for shooting an endangered ground squirrel is $1,000 and confiscation of your gun so we don't want to take any chances.
 
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