Coolest Summer Hunting Opportunity: Wolves in Idaho

Think your hunting season has to wait untill the fall? Think again.

Private land wolf hunts continue in Idaho despite the regular season ending Sunday, July 1. Idaho Fish and Game spokesman Niels Nokkentved told the Great Falls Tribune that anyone wanting to hunt wolves this summer must have a permit ($11.50 for residents and $31.75 for nonresidents) and landowner permission in advance.

Results of the 2011-2012 season have hunters in Idaho taking 255 wolves and trappers taking another 124. Private land hunts will continue through the summer with the regular season starting up again on August 30 with trapping starting on November 15.

Nearby Montana will set its wolf season dates at a meeting on July 12. The two states must each keep at least 150 wolves and 15 breeding pairs within their borders to maintain state authority over the predator.

Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner Tony McDermott told the Tribune, “We’ve got plenty of wolves, and we want to try and keep them a safe distance from populated areas. We’re not seeing a lot of livestock loss there, but wolves are getting close around densely populated areas like Coeur d’Alene.”

What’s your favorite thing to hunt in the summertime (legally of course)?