Defensive driving precautions for wintering wildlife advised

Wintering elk in the field on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

FORT HALL — Shoshone-Bannock Tribal officials advise travelers to slow down along sections of Interstate 15 from Pocatello to Blackfoot and Interstate 86 from Pocatello to American Falls because of large populations of wintering wildlife. 

Over the last couple of weeks large herds of elk and deer have migrated onto the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, along with numerous moose. Winter conditions have pushed the animals to lower elevations along I-15, I-86 and nearby Fort Hall Indian Reservation roadways, posing a potential hazard to motorists. 

As a precautionary measure, the Tribes have requested the Idaho Department of Transportation to utilize several LED message boards, to warn motorists about the possibility of wildlife on the interstates. The Tribes are aware that these elk herds provide great viewing opportunities but during these critical winter months, these animals are at their most vulnerable. 

The Tribes are asking the public refrain from any travel through their winter grounds to avoid triggering a mass migration across a public roadway. Motorists driving on I-15 and I-86 are asked to please slow down, especially at night, there may be wildlife on or along the interstates and rural reservation roads.