The Intermountain Fur Harvesters (IFH) is an organization comprised of trappers and hound hunters in northern Idaho that strives to promote Trapper Education, recruit young new trappers, and to unite all outdoor sporting groups. IFH works together with the three Idaho trapping organizations to have one voice on trapping matters including proposed rule changes and furbearer season setting.
IFH meetings are held at 6:30 pm the second Friday of each month at the Idaho Fish and Game Panhandle Office in Coeur d’Alene. The March meeting is held on the first Friday of March to plan the group’s annual fur sale.
The organization was first envisioned in the fall of 2014 when a group of 15 trappers gathered in northern Idaho to address local concerns about the future of trapping. The consensus of the group was that it would benefit trappers to form an organization to protect trapping opportunity for the future. Formal incorporation of the group was completed in 2015 with the formation of the Intermountain Fur Harvesters (IFH).
The first major undertaking of the IFH was hosting a fur sale in 2016 in Coeur d’Alene, to expand upon the event that had been held in Athol for many years. Experienced trappers made trap sets and offered skinning demonstrations to educate new trappers and share knowledge gained through many years in the field. IFH has since assisted Idaho State Trappers Association with the two fur sales they hold every year in Mountain Home.
In 2016 the organization filed paperwork to obtain 501c-3 status as a non-profit organization.
A primary focus of the IFH is trapper education. In the Spring of 2017, the organization responded to Idaho Fish and Game’s request to take a lead role in the new, mandatory trapper education program. Twelve members completed the certification process to become Trapper Education Instructors. Teaching as a team, they have taught over 600 students in more than 20 classes.
IFH started an annual trap setting field day in September 2018. Seasoned trappers show and discuss how to make sets for every furbearer trapped in northern Idaho. Lunch is provided and the event is free for all members and past trapper education students and any kids who come. Plans are to hold this event on the third Saturday of September every year.
The IFH fur sale in March of 2019 saw over $100,000 in fur sold. The sale has grown so much that it has outgrown the facility in Coeur d’Alene and will be held at the KTEC building at 6838 W. Lancaster Rd in Rathdrum on the third Saturday in March for the foreseeable future.
The IFH organized the first ever United Trappers of Idaho Rendezvous in cooperation with the Idaho Trappers Association, Foundation for Wildlife Management and the Upper Snake River Trappers of Idaho. This function marks the first time all of the Idaho trapping organizations join together at one event, a major step in unifying the voice and strength of Idaho trappers.