By IBO Executive Director Greg Kaltenecker
Whew, we finally got it done! IBO staff biologist Robert Miller took charge of purchasing all new equipment for our raptor banding project that was lost in the Valley Fire of October, 2024. IBO banding volunteer Jake Burroughs donated new bow nets that he had stored from a different project, and we were able to restore one of the smaller bow nets that had been burned in the fire with new netting. But what about building a new blind? What about lure bird housing facilities? New cages? These items and many others would have to be built by hand.
After the fire IBO supporters flooded us with offers to help rebuild, made donations, and they provided much-needed encouragement.
One such volunteer was David Kembel of Bozeman, MT. David not only made a donation toward building a new blind, but also offered to come to Boise and help build it! So, as leader of IBO I saw this as an opportunity to let David have ownership in the project: I put him in charge! Other IBO volunteers Jim James and Pete Lounsbury also offered to help. We all began working on June 12th, using my home’s patio as a workspace.
Early mornings were pleasant, but by 11:00 am it was too hot. Mid-afternoons were spent shopping for materials and supplies, and then we were back at it in the evenings, after the sun went behind the house. David had devised a handy 4’x8’ interlocking panel system that made each piece relatively light and portable. When finally completed, it had been two weeks from start to finish, and I continued to make small tweaks until Rob picked it up in early August to set up at Lucky Peak.
How did it work out? It was a great new space for banding and teaching!
Plenty big enough to hold all workshop attendees, big groups of undergraduates or volunteers, and with several new design features that will make it the “new standard”. Perfect? No, there are a few things that could be modified for next season, but all in all, not a bad effort.
Once the new trapping blind was off my porch, I got started on a new lure bird housing facility. “Bigger is better” was the advice of the raptor banders. Volunteers Kevin Warner and Mark Morris helped me design an intricate space with center access, double system of doors, screen windows, and wire mesh floors. Almost perfect but yes, a few modifications are needed for next season on this design as well. Bigger is better, but also heavier! Two weeks later, the new housing facility was ready for pickup.
Then we got to work on making new drop-net style traps known as dho gazas (DG’s). With the help of Kevin Warner and Eden Ravecca, we made 12 new DG’s and a dozen or more new lure bird harnesses (by season’s end I had made at least two dozen intricate leather harnesses). Pete Lounsbury stepped up again and made 6-8 new hand cages for pigeons and doves, incorporating a nifty new magnetic door closure system that worked great!
And did I mention the generous efforts by David Carlson and his crew from Think Green Landscaping to replace burned out logs at the Lucky Peak field station?
A full day, at least six people on his crew, not to mention his equipment, fuel, and other related costs? All DONATED to rebuild the station. David and his guys were the ones who originally made the improvements at Lucky Peak some 10-15 years ago! Thanks again!
Along with all this help “on the ground”, many community members pitched in to help us recover from the Valley Fire. Sagebrush Collaborative Gift Shop selected us as their featured non-profit and fundraised for us during their Annual Winter Market. Rain Salon and Spa held an earth day raffle to support us. Others including Idaho Power, Zoo Boise, and so many more jumped in to help us as well. And all of you contributed on Bronco Giving Day! We couldn’t have done it without you.
All in total, I personally spent at least six weeks of my time rebuilding equipment lost in the fire this summer. Add to my time dozens and dozens of hours from volunteers, not to mention effort from other IBO staff like Rob Miller. A huge undertaking indeed to rebuild. Was it worth it? Yes, for sure! Will I ever do it again? I certainly hope not!
This article is part of our 2025 end of the year newsletter! View the full newsletter here, or click “older posts” below to read the next article. Make sure you don’t miss out on IBO news! Sign up to get our email updates.