Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Town Hall
Facilitated by Idaho Sportsmen and Congressional Sportsmen Foundation
On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus held its monthly town hall to hear from different agencies and sportsmen groups about budgets, legislation, rules, appointments, and other policy and project updates. Seeing such a large turnout of members, legislators, Idaho Sportsmen affiliates, and agencies was great.
Benn Brocksome, Idaho Sportsmen, kicked off the meeting by expressing the growth of members joining the Idaho Sportsmen Legislative Caucus, with over 60 legislators joining the Caucus and many more in the process of signing up. Jim Fredricks is the newly appointed Director of the Idaho Department Fish and Game (IDFG), who has worked at IDFG for 28 years, most recently as the Deputy Director. Idaho Sportsmen is excited to continue to work with Idaho Fish and Game with new leadership and direction from Director Fredricks.
Representative Sheppard spoke about his proposal to combat his view of the decreasing number of mule deer in Idaho. He proposed a bill that he later held prevents hunters from hunting doe mule deer for two years. His goal was to allow the population to grow. After many discussions and meetings between Rep. Sheppard, Idaho Sportsmen, and IDFG, the parties agreed not to have mule deer doe seasons in specific units where the numbers have declined. These decisions are made by the Department and Commission using the best available data, biology, and public input as a balance for providing as much opportunity as possible while also protecting the wildlife population for generations to come. This proposal is incorporated into the Big Game Session Setting, and on March 15, there will be an opportunity to present this to the IDFG Commission at their meeting. The public comment period on seasons is open now and continues until the meeting. The Commission will set big game seasons at this time.
Kristin Ryan, Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), spoke on the Department's budget and projects. The Department has several supplementals, including ongoing funds for waste management, ongoing dedicated funds for the Central Treatment Plant, and many one-time supplementals for IPDES, drinking water/wastewater, agriculture, and many more. They also have two bills, one relating to Bunker Hill, SB1013, which recently passed the Senate and has moved to the House. SB1014 relates to DEQ working with other departments and private industries to accept funds for their requested work. This bill was in the process of being redrafted with a few minor clarification edits.
Mike Edmondson, Administrator of the Office to the Species Conservation, shared the information of the Governor's letter to the Biden Administration regarding grizzly bears on the endangered species list. In February, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received a letter to notify of the intent to sue the federal Government on behalf of Idaho's petition on the endangered species list to remove grizzly bears; USFWS will have 60 days to respond. The request is to de-list the "lower-48" grizzly bear as it doesn't qualify as an endangered species according to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Read the Governor's letter HERE.
Scott Phillips, Policy and Communications Chief for the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), gave an update on Endowment Land legislation that IDL will support, SB 1049. Its purpose is to be a mechanism to punish damage and trespassing on endowment lands through warnings and infractions. This bill will hold the bad actors accountable for destroying public land, so those who recreate responsibility can continue to enjoy open access to public lands. Senator Harris, an Idaho Legislative Sportsmen Caucus Co-Chair, introduced the bill.
The Caucus discussed introducing two trapper bills; one adds trappers to the list of lifetime licenses, and the other allows for a three-day fur buy license. Representative Boyle, another Co-Chair for the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, introduced these bills, and all four co-chairs are co-sponsors.
The Idaho Sportsmen Policy meeting wrapped up with a discussion and clarification on the Lava Ridge Wind Project and a review of bills going through the Idaho State Legislature. Idaho Sportsmen has tracked all natural resource bills, rules, appropriations, and budgets. We post all natural resource bills, rules, appointments, appropriations, and budgets weekly HERE.
The next Idaho Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Townhall Meeting will be held on March 7, 2023, at 6:30 PM at IDFG (use the south entrance).