MAY TOWN HALL
On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus met for their monthly town hall facilitated by Idaho Sportsmen and Congressional Sportsmen Foundation. Benn Brocksome, Idaho Sportsmen, started off the conversation by noting we have now entered the rulemaking and interim meeting season. The May Primary Election is right around the corner on May 21, 2024, and more updates will come after the election. The town hall had a diverse group of directors, congressional delegates, legislators, and members of the sportsmen community attend.
Ellary Tucker-Williams, Idaho Department Fish and Game (IDFG), stated the Fish and Game Commission will meet next week, May 16, 2024, to discuss non-resident tag draw system options. An advisory group will be assembled for non-resident draw system options for big game in Idaho. The Commission will be giving direction on how to start this process. This was a part of House Bill 696a, which although did not pass, IDFG has opted to follow through with a variable version of the process the bill would have created. This will be discussed in the coming months with various stakeholders.
The Commission has heard many comments on fair chase aspects, such as the scopes and optics, which will also be discussed during the meeting. This has been coming from members of the public and is not being led by IDFG. Chairman Burtenshaw spoke on this topic, stating his reservations on this effort. HERE is a full agenda of the upcoming meeting. Rulemakings are beginning in the following weeks, including nonresident deer and elk tag outfitter set-aside, use of dogs, commercial fishing, fish, classification and protection of wildlife, and special weapons seasons – muzzleloaders.
Mike Edmundson, Office of Species and Conservation (OSC), spoke on the grizzly bear and wolf lawsuits that the state is dealing with. The OSC has been working with stakeholders and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to find the best path forward on rulemaking and hope for the best outcomes. Mr. Edmundson discussed some of the scenarios going into the second summer of the quagga mussel issue along the Snake River, which included potentially finding juvenile quagga mussels, but they are hoping to not have this be the case. There is a second treatment being discussed but nothing is set in stone. This will be an ongoing conversation and effort for most likely five years. Chairman Burtenshaw has been working on an informational sheet with many partners on quagga mussels to keep all parties informed and educated.
Susan Buxton, Director of Idaho Department Parks and Recreation (IDPR), spoke on the funding the Legislature allocated to the Department, which will provide more opportunities and efforts to work at the deferred maintenance. Many projects are starting across the state, and Director Buxton urged legislators to reach out to her to discuss constituents’ parks and recreation concerns and questions. The Parks and Recreation Commission's next meeting will be held on May 13, 2024; click HERE for more information. The Idaho Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council (IORFAC) will meet on May 10, 2024, to discuss the status of 2023 allocated projects and criteria for the 2024 projects; click HERE for more information.
Casey Attebery, Senator Crapo’s State Director of Natural Resources, spoke on the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, which aims for improved access and restoration on public lands. Dirk Mendive, Congressman Fulcher’s Regional Director, echoed Mr. Attebery’s comments and added there had been legislation for delisting wolves in the lower 48 states from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that has gone through the House.
Idaho Sportsmen has been working on an end-of-session report and will begin producing monthly reports. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
