AUGUST TOWN HALL
Monthly Town Hall Recap
On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, the Idaho Sportsmen Legislative Caucus and Advisory Council held its monthly town hall meeting. Idaho Sportsmen members, affiliates, congressional delegates, legislators, agency personnel, and more joined to hear about the many exciting updates over the summer.
The Idaho Sportsmen Legislative Caucus announced the 3rd Annual Clay Shooting Event on Friday, September 22, at 9 AM. This fundraiser is for the Caucus and will include raffles, 15 stations, and a chance to learn more on National Hunting and Fishing Day. Those interested in participating can RSVP here.
The Idaho Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council named Idaho Sportsmen as one of the thirteen (13) members, along with mining, cattle, and many other recreation groups represented on the council. The new council will be an advisor to the Idaho Parks and Recreation Board, and Governor Little; Skylar Jett, Idaho Business for the Outdoors, will chair the council. The IORF was created through Executive Order by Governor Little - read Governor Little's Executive Order here.
Idaho Sportsmen submitted a letter of recommendation for public comment to the Idaho Department of Lands for the Recreational Use of Endowment Land new chapter rulemakings, IDAPA 20.05.01. We anticipate one more public meeting to discuss these rules before going before the Idaho State Board of Land to be considered a pending rule.
Charlie Booher, Boone, and Crockett Club discussed issues they had received complaints about related to individuals soliciting collar data for wildlife from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). There has been hesitation in placing collars on rams and other trophy wildlife to protect them; this would, however, prevent essential data from coming to IDFG. Rep. Boyle commented on using fair chase rules to prevent handing out the collar information; Rep. Petzke had a similar comment but focused on public records requests for this information. We expect to continue working on this policy until we have a firm resolution.
Rep. Charlie Shepperd spoke on the discrepancies of counting Chinook for sportsmen versus tribal and nonresident fishermen. Many were upset when broodstock fish were moved to the Boise River based on quota counts. He wants to see how they could work on counts to protect sportsmen's opportunities; he will be working with IDFG to see if changes are needed to ensure the system is working the best it can and to resolve some of the issues he had seen in his district.
Darren Parker, State Natural Resources Director for US Senator Risch, spoke on the new legislation introduced to fully delist Grizzly Bears in the lower forty-eight (48) states and focus Endangered Species Act resources on animals needing these resources. The Grizzly Bear Review and Resource Restart Act (Grrr Act) would delist the species and give states two years to decide how to manage the species. It also gives them the option to relist, if warranted, specific populations of bears using updated and modern recovery plans. Dirk Mendive, Natural Resources for Congressman Fulcher, stated Congressman Fulcher is co-sponsoring the bill on the House side. Click HERE for Senator Risch's press release on the Grrr Act. The group also discussed banning hunters ed and shooting safety courses in schools; much to the dismay of the attendees, the Biden Administration may cut these programs. We will seek solutions to this critical issue as we continue to meet and discuss with our partners and elected officials.
The meeting participants then hosted a roundtable open forum for legislators, agencies, members, and others to share their upcoming projects, questions, new policies, and natural resources-related news.
The next Idaho Sportsmen Legislative Caucus meeting is scheduled for September 5, 2023, at 6:30 PM, at the Idaho Fish and Game Headquarters.