Happy sage-grouse hunters.

Officer working moose case.

Officer mentored flyfishers.

Regional Roundup
Upper Snake — September 2009

As reported by Regional Conservation Officer John Hanson.

RCO Highlights

• Coordinated OHV patrols for the fall hunting seasons.
• Officers from both districts participated on an enforcement project for the opener of the sage-grouse season.
• Most of the officers worked a day at the Fish and Game booth at the East Idaho State Fair.
• Idaho Falls and Teton District officers participated in two joint OHV patrols with the U.S. Forest Service in the Targhee National Forest during the month. These patrols were done in conjunction with regular fall hunting patrols.

Idaho Falls District

• SCO Lew Huddleston and RI Rob Howe patrolled the Pritchard and Garden Creek area on horse-back for OHV violations.
• SCO Dan Kelsey participated in a habitat tour with staff and Forest Service personnel to assess the 2008 Bear Creek Fire in the Palisades Ranger District.
• SCO Clark Shackelford and SCO Dan Kelsey each had a ride-along with a potential future CO prospect. SCO Shackelford also participated in a school career fair in Idaho Falls.
• Spotlight activity is beginning to increase on the South Fork Snake River. Officers participated in three patrols for spotlighters in the Menan area.
• SCO Dan Kelsey and SCO Clark Shackelford continue to find people fishing without licenses along the Snake River and the South Fork. Numerous citations and warnings were issued.

Teton District

• Most officers reported archery elk hunters had some great success this month. No baiting of deer and elk cases was observed this month.
• Some of the officers have made inspections with Big Game meat processers getting ready for the fall hunting seasons, making sure they have all the right paper work needed.
• September started off with a literal bang as a moose was shot along the Teton River. An investigation by SCO Lauren Wendt involving wasted moose meat is ensuing.
• Most of the officers in the District worked the sage-grouse opener. Their time was spent along the Red Road, Sand Creek area and Shotgun Valley area. Paul Martin from the Ashton Hatchery came out and rode along with SCO Charlie Anderson during the sage-grouse opener. Quite a few violations were detected with people killing sharp tails and folks not having an upland bird validation permit on their licenses. During opening weekend there were a lot of happy hunters who saw some success.
• SCO Josh Koontz participated in a joint coordination meeting in West Yellowstone with Yellowstone National Park Service and Wyoming Game and Fish enforcement officers regarding fall hunting seasons, known violators, problem areas and future patrols. Josh has also been investigating a bear baiting violation in Island Park. The area is closed to baiting and the accompanying tree stand is a permanent structure. The investigation is continuing.
• SCO Andrew Sorensen met with owners of Gold's Ranch and Intermountain Aquatics near Rexburg concerning trespass issues with waterfowl hunters in area.
• Officers assisted wildlife and fisheries programs with assistance at Mud Lake WMA banding waterfowl and electro-shocking fish on the Teton River. Assistance was provided by SCO Tony Imthurn.
• SCO Lauren Wendt participated in the Career on Wheels day in Idaho Falls for school district 93. She and SCO Clark Shackelford spoke to about 250 sixth-graders about the duties of a conservation officer. Lauren also taught a hunter education field day in Driggs with 15 youths participating.
• SCO Andrew Sorensen took out a youth mentored fly fishing trip on South Fork of the Snake River with students from Central High in Rexburg on September 11.