 FOUNDATION FOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Ensuring ungulate populations recover in areas negatively impacted by wolves |  |
Reimbursement Process
The Reimbursement Process
The reimbursement request process is quite simple- to request a reimbursement, follow the detailed steps below:
- The first step is to make certain your membership is current. You must be a member of F4WM prior to harvesting your wolf to qualify for reimbursement. (The exception to this is when IDFG Grant funding is being used for the reimbursement, which requires F4WM to reimburse both members and non-members alike). Please allow 7 days for membership processing. Membership must be approved and processed prior to being eligible for reimbursement. Once your membership is processed, you will be eligible for expense reimbursement when you harvest a wolf.
- Start saving receipts prior to harvesting a wolf- receipts need to be for items purchased in relation to the scouting, hunting, or trapping of wolves. These can include items such as fuel, firearms, ammunition, traps, game cameras, outdoor clothing/gear, license & tag fees, ATV/UTV, 4-wheeler, truck purchase or payments, etc.
- Upon harvesting a wolf, send us a copy of your expense receipts for the amount of the reimbursement, based on the unit of harvest (See the chart above) and a copy of your Idaho Fish & Game mortality report (pink slip) proving it was a legal harvest, and what unit the wolf was harvested in). Reimbursement documentation can be sent via email to leisa@f4wm.org or by mail to F4WM Po Box 821 Ponderay, ID 83852. You keep the wolf.
With the help of your membership or donation, F4WM is able to help hunters and trappers offset high operating costs with a reimbursement for each wolf harvested.
Please help us today by joining or renewing your membership! (Auto renew is available)
F4WM Wolfers… Your program needs you, now more then ever…
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission and Idaho Wolf Control Board have called on F4WM to step up our wolf control efforts where they are needed most. Not only are Idaho elk below management objectives in numerous units, but Idaho Ranchers continue to suffer losses due to overabundant wolf populations as well. For those reasons, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission has voted to route $200,000 through the Idaho Wolf Control Board, to increase F4WM program reimbursement amounts as incentive to encourage sportsmen who recreate in Idaho, to get in the woods and help reduce wolf populations where they are causing the most problems.
This is a huge opportunity for sportsmen to prove that our F4WM program is an effective management tool, and we at F4WM are calling on our membership, asking you to step up your game, and prove to the state of Idaho that you have what it takes to get the job done.
As mentioned, this ask does not come without incentive… For the coming season, using the Commission funds routed through the IWCB, F4WM is increasing wolf harvest reimbursement amounts to $2000 per wolf in all units where predators are keeping elk from meeting management objectives, and $2500 in all units where wolves are chronically preying on Livestock. (Priority units/levels selected by IDFG)
The map below shows these units and is color coded to simplify reimbursement layouts for this 2021- 2022 season. Should WCB and Grant funding be depleted prior to end of June 2022, all colored units will be reduced to the previous $1000/$750/$500.
(Please note: Increased reimbursement zone additional funding has been added largely by State agencies. Montana will remain at $500 statewide until which time we are able properly identify needed increased funding units through input from Montana FWP, Commission, and Livestock related industry leadership. We will be working to identify these areas throughout the coming year.)
Two States, One F4WM
With this incentive comes great responsibility… Its important to remember that as wolfers, we are under great scrutiny… With all the legislative work being done to increase our abilities to better manage wolf populations, we are being watched closer now then ever before… It is of the utmost importance that we use our best judgement on when and where we are setting wolf traps… If you think someone will likely see a wolf in a trap your about to set… Please don’t set there. If you think someone walking their dog or out for a Sunday stroll with their family will get their dog caught in the trap your about to set, Please do not set there… Although most bycatch are released unharmed, the last thing we need is conflict with other land-users.
We must also work together as a team, and not squabble over trapping territories… Be kind, courteous, and respectful of one another, as well as of land owners and other land user groups. We must police ourselves and follow the highest ethical standards to maintain a positive reputation as sportsmen, as game managers, and as representatives of our F4WM program. If You see a wolf in a trap that is not yours, do not approach it. Back out of the area immediately and make effort to let the trapper know he has a catch. The more we can help each-other and communicate with one another the higher our overall rate of success will be.
It is important to note that those who intentionally cause drama or conflict will be suspended from reimbursement eligibility indefinitely, depending on the situation. Theft of gear or wolves will not be tolerated, and will be grounds for immediate permanent termination from reimbursement eligibility. It is also a Felony to falsify information on your Check in slip with IDFG, including location of harvest… All suspected fraudulent submittals will be handed over to authorities for investigation and possible DNA sampling. Please do not falsify info or attempt to steal from your own F4WM program- it will end poorly for all of us.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly. Just please be patient as I too will be running gear and making every effort to do my part.
Thank you for all you do for Sportsmen and Wildlife… Thank you for all you do for F4WM… Good luck out there, and please remember – F4WM is counting on you… I am counting on you… Idaho sportsmen are counting on you… Idaho wildlife are counting on you…
“Lace up you boots ladies and gentlemen… We’ve got a job to do!”Sincerely,
Justin Webb
F4WM Executive Director
justin@f4wm.org
208-610-4455
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