Waste of big game/IDFG needs help

[cwright]

WASTE OF BIG GAME ANIMALS
11-14-2007
G. Joel Gunnell
Senior Conservation Officer- IDFG

The fall hunting season is beginning to wind down and many successful hunters are enjoying their fruits of the field. Perhaps a tender slow-cooked elk roast, some tasty venison breakfast sausage, ruffed-grouse fajitas, or a country fried moose steak smothered in gravy. There are many ways to use your wild game to dress your dining table and to enjoy it too. I have often considered writing a wild game recipe book because of the fun my family and I have had trying new wild game recipes. Wild game care and processing is also something I have been teaching my family and find it an essential part of being a responsible hunter.

All too often our excitement for the hunt is high until we reach the point of gutting, packing out, and insuring that proper processing occurs after the hunt. These steps are essential in the completion of a successful hunt and also required by Idaho state law. You as an individual may not be aware of the large problem of wasted game meat by hunters. Each year, as a conservation officer, I have to wade through my fair share of wasted and rotting wildlife, as do other officers around the state. Whether someone has shot something to far from a road, is engaged in illegal activities, or simply is too lazy to finish packing out their game, all of these contribute to wasted wild game. Leaving your animal hanging in your garage or shed for extended periods also contribute to a large portion of wasted animals.

Idaho state law requires that “hunters remove and care for the edible meat of game animals, except mountain lions. This includes the meat of the front quarters as far down as the knee, hindquarters as far down as the hock, neck meat, meat along the backbone, and meat covering the ribs. It does not include meat of the head, internal organs, or meat on the bones after close trimming.”

The recent deer hunts and elk hunts have brought their fair share of wasted animals. Sometime around the second week of the deer hunt a “hunter” decided to leave a whole gutted deer hanging in a tree along Wood Canyon Road. Some concerned sportsmen contacted me about the deer hanging along the road. The deer was a two –point buck in pretty poor shape, partially eaten by scavengers, and unsalvageable. I admit that I was sick to see a wasted mule deer buck that had been shot and left. I know of several youth hunters that would have been more than happy to have taken the buck as their first trophy. Perhaps these “hunters” decided it wasn’t worth their time to take the small buck home with them, or perhaps they found a bigger buck and decided they would leave the smaller one.

I, as well as other local officers, have also spent time at the local landfill digging through wasted animal after wasted animal. Two bull elk lay rotting, to which only a small portion of backstrap and small portions of hindquarter were taken, only to be covered by landfill. Another sickening site of wasted game. Then off to Bloomington Canyon where someone took the effort to quarter a bull elk, pack it part way down the mountain, and then leave it to rot just a short distance from the road. Perhaps laziness or some possible illegal activity. The number of cases continues. I would hate to guess how many big game animals where laid to waste this season due to some of these unfortunate circumstances.

Take the time to plan your after-hunt responsibilities and have your game processed properly. Fluctuations in temperatures can greatly affect the length of time you can leave a game animal hanging. It may be time to process your game. Be a responsible hunter and don’t let your game go to waste. So don’t waste it, perhaps find a new way to taste it.

Help the rest of us maintain our right to hunt and enjoy the outdoors. If you have any information about these or other game violations please call. As always, you are one of our greatest assets in the fight against poaching. Your calls and concerns have led to some great cases against these game thieves.

G. Joel Gunnell
Montpelier Senior Conservation Officer
208-339-1521

Blake Phillips
District Conservation Officer
208-251-5511

CAP Hotline 1-800-632-5999