Flight of the Feathered Fisherman

Images Courtesy Alan D. Wilson, Naturespicsonline.com

The American White Pelican. The second largest bird in North America. Only the California Condor can claim to be bigger. The pelican is a beautiful bird with an incredible 108 inch wing span, which is over 8 feet! In comparison the Bald Eagle has a wing span of 80 inches. They are one of the most graceful flying birds I have ever seen, and it's quite a sight to see several of them, flying in perfect formation.

In April of 2009 the Idaho Fish and Game Department (IDFG) issued a draft 5 year management plan (2009-2013) for the management of the American White Pelican and native cutthroat trout in Idaho. The plan has an objective of reducing American Pelican numbers from the current estimated population of 6,400 birds to 2,800, over a 5 year period. Adult birds would be shot or the eggs would be killed, to reach this goal. The plan indicates that this might increase the number of native cutthroat trout, due to the reduction of predation.

Blackfoot Reservoir is located on the Blackfoot River, near the town of Henry, Idaho. The Blackfoot River originates in eastern Idaho, with the headwaters located in the Caribou Range, Wooley Range and Grays Range. The Blackfoot River flows into Blackfoot Reservoir, near Henry and then meanders on to the Snake River. Lake Walcott and Minidoka Wildlife Refuge are located on the Snake River, near the town of Burley, Idaho

If the numbers of pelicans are reduced there is no way to monitor the success or failure of the proposed IDFG project. If by chance trout numbers increase (with a decrease of numbers of pelicans) was the project successful? Who knows. There is no way to measure that, because the increase in numbers of trout might be directly related to an increase in water quality and quantity. There is no guarantee that killing pelicans will increase trout numbers, because in the end its all about trout habitat, which is related to water quality and quantity, and stream side vegetation.

The IDFG plan is incomplete and does not address the positive benefits of pelicans on the environment and on trout species or other fish populations. The plan indicates the pelican's diets consist mainly of non-trout species such as the chub. If 50% of the pelicans are killed what is the effect on the chub population? If the chub population greatly increases what is the effect on the trout? The IDFG plan does not address this.

The proposed IDFG plan does have several good elements (other than killing pelicans) including hazing pelicans away from spawning trout and in-stream modification or refuge areas in the water.

The real problem with maintaining trout populations, is the dams and irrigation canals, but the IDFG plan indicates there will be no attempt to mitigate or change those operations. More protection for stream side vegetation, and additional pollution control is also needed. Changing the way the dams and irrigation canals are managed would take long term planning and commitment, by the State of Idaho, but in the end it is the only real solution.

One of the biggest thrills of fishing in Idaho is enjoying the outdoors and the beautiful scenery, and watching the dippers, eagles, ducks, ospreys, and pelicans, plying the waters for food, or just flying around. What is the value of seeing a flight of pelicans flying down the Snake River? I can't put a dollar figure on it but it's a beautiful sight. Would I want to see half of the pelicans in Idaho killed? No and it would be a real travesty. Pelicans winter in the south in Mexico or on the Gulf Coast, and they aren't really just Idaho birds, so who are we to decide their fate? Who indeed.