Puppet show to address wilderness
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, the Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association will present the Idaho Puppet Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Redfish Lake Lodge on the lawn in front of the lodge for two free shows at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. In case of rain, the shows will take place at the Redfish Visitor Center.
The “Wilderness Puppet Show” is a collaboration of the Sawtooth Association, the Forest Service and the Idaho Puppet Theatre.
Bonnie Jakubos and Kristin Fletcher, founders of the Idaho Puppet Theatre, created the show from Jakubos’ experience as a wildlife biologist and environmental educator. The duo’s theater repertoire includes up to 10 puppet stars, of which many represent native Idaho wildlife.
Jakubos and Fletcher said that in addition to highlighting each animal’s natural history, the show will model universal values such as friendship, acceptance and courage. Find out why Eagle is sent on a journey to gather songs that celebrate wilderness, then discovers that wilderness might not be what he thinks.
Changes made to BLM travel plan in southeast Idaho
Those heading to BLM land in southeast Idaho should be aware of recent changes to seasonal road closures.
The 2014 Curlew/Deep Creek Mountains Travel Management Plan prepared by the Pocatello Field Office provides new guidance on designated routes and trails effective in January. The most significant changes to traditional travel routes affect the Pleasantview Hills, Samaria Mountain and North Hansel areas.
The travel plan was based on public input and several factors, including providing reasonable access for motorized vehicles, reducing resource damage and protecting wildlife and cultural resources. Several old fire hand lines and pioneered routes were closed because they were never originally designated for motorized travel. Certain roads or trails are closed at specific times of the year to help big game populations, especially in Big Game Management Units 56, 73 and 73A.
More information, including a printout of the maps showing the designated motorized travel routes, can be obtained from the Pocatello Field Office, 4350 Cliffs Drive, 208-478-6356.
Ask now to hunt on private land
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is asking hunters to contact private landowners on whose property they wish to hunt.
According to a survey of rural Idaho landowners, 88 percent will allow hunting on their property if hunters ask permission first.
Hunters have the best results if they contact landowners at least two weeks before they plan to hunt, the department stated, and they should ask even earlier on prime properties because some landowners set a quota for the number of hunters they allow on their property. The limit they place on the number of hunters makes for a higher-quality hunting experience and helps the landowner keep track of who will be on their land and when they will be there.
Sportsmen may pick up free hunter courtesy cards at Fish and Game offices. These contain spaces for the hunter’s (or angler’s) name, address, etc. to be given to landowners who grant access to their land. Landowners in turn sign a card that the hunter keeps that verifies permission to access the property.
One illegal practice that causes great irritation to landowners and creates safety hazards is road hunting. Shooting from or across a public road or from a vehicle is illegal and dangerous. While Idaho law does not prohibit possession of a fully loaded gun in a vehicle, common sense and accident statistics indicate this is an unsafe practice and one which can only hurt the image of hunting, Fish and Game officials said.
Dairy group says it didn’t intend to deny access to media
BOISE, Idaho (AP)—An Idaho dairy industry group says it didn’t intend to deny media access to dairies when it mailed a letter to members urging them to turn down interview and tour requests.
The letter from the United Dairymen of Idaho was sent anonymously to The Associated Press late last week.
United Dairymen of Idaho CEO Karianne Fallow said Tuesday that in hindsight the group sees how the letter might make people think otherwise. But Fallow said the association welcomes requests for dairy tours and simply wants to assist farmers in support of the dairy industry.
In the Aug. 13 letter, the leaders of United Dairymen of Idaho advised dairy producers to either turn down media requests or refer members of the media to dairy industry groups.
