IDFG auction planned for Saturday in Cd'A
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will be auctioning furs, hides, antlers, skulls and other items on Saturday, April 9 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, 4056 N. Government Way, in Coeur d’Alene. The sale will be conducted between the 4-H and Wildlife buildings near the main entrance to the fairgrounds.
This sale is held once annually, moving every year from region to region. Items from around the state are being transported to Coeur d’Alene for this auction.
The last time the annual event was held in Coeur d’Alene was April 2010.
The items offered were found, salvaged, or ordered to be forfeited to the state by the court system. Auction items may be viewed beginning at 7:30 a.m. The live auction will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude around noon.
Items to be sold are unfit for human consumption. They are sold for use of the non-edible portions only.
Elk, deer and moose antlers may be sold as small bundles by weight, or as single sets attached to skull plates. Some antlers to be sold are already on wall plaques.
Cash, cashier’s checks and personal checks will be accepted. No credit card service will be available.
A taxidermist/furbuyer license is required in advance to bid on bear parts, mountain lion parts, or any species classified as a furbearer. Anyone in the business of buying and selling raw hides or animal mounts is also required to possess a taxidermist/furbuyer license. Resident licenses are $40 for one year, and nonresident licenses are $170.
The licenses can be purchased at any Idaho Fish and Game office.
Nonresident purchasers should be aware that their state may not allow import of the hides or parts of bear, mountain lion, bobcat or otter. Be sure to check state the regulations of your state of residence before purchasing any items.
Idaho law says that a person cannot purchase an item at the auction if that item was confiscated from them. No person may buy an animal or any part of it on behalf of the person it was confiscated from.
In addition to a large number of antlers, there are 12 lion hides, seven bear hides, two bobcat pelts, two otter skins and one wolf pelt that will be offered. Hides sold at the auction are sold “as-is,” with no guarantee they will be suitable for all intended purposes. Potential buyers should examine offerings prior to the start of the sale. Once the bidding begins at 9:30, the sale will progress fairly quickly.
For more information or a list of items in the sale, contact the IDFG Panhandle Region office, (208) 769-1414.
Phil Cooper is a wildlife conservation educator with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.