SEPTEMBER TOWN HALL RECAP
It’s clear that hunting season has arrived, as attendance at the Caucus’ monthly meeting was lighter than usual. However, we did appreciate that one of our participants tuned in while out scouting for elk on an unidentified mountain top. We applaud the multitasking skills.
There was a lot of interesting news from the meeting, but what grabbed our attention was the discussion about the upcoming anti-hunting ballot initiative in Colorado. The initiative would prohibit the hunting and killing of mountain lions, cougars, and lynxes. From Safari Club International, Chris Tymeson said defeating the initiative is his number one priority in the nation right now. Despite the risk to hunting, Tymeson said he is confident that Colorado’s hunting community is engaged and that efforts to educate general voters will prevent the measure from passing. He called the measure's defeat an essential step to preventing anti-hunting groups from gaining another foothold in their effort to curtail hunting opportunities across the West.
Tymeson and others also pointed out just how unique Idaho is compared to Washington, Oregon, California, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado, states that have or are dealing with campaigns to roll back hunting activities. There was general agreement, however, that the Gem State may not be immune forever from those keen to restrict certain types of hunting despite our leadership in establishing these traditions as the constitutional rights of every Idahoan long before the rise in environmentalist ballot initiatives in the West.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) Director Jim Fredericks provided a timely update on increased human- grizzly bear encounters in eastern Idaho. He said there have been 15 grizzly depredations reported on livestock and more than 30 ongoing investigations. The Director also shared details of a grizzly that attacked an archery hunter near Henry’s Lake. The victim was bitten in the arm and treated at the hospital. The bear was killed when the hunter and his companion each fired shots at the bear. Director Fredericks said the increased activity is likely tied to the species’ current struggles in finding ample food sources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM IDFG DIRECTOR
Black bear hunting season has commenced and with that, a reminder that hunters who find a grizzly bear on their bait station are required, within reason, to remove the bait and report it to the Department.
Wildfire activity is disrupting multiple hunting zones. Director Fredericks said the Department is making an exception by offering resident tag holders a full refund, minus the processing fee, in cases when most of the hunting unit is restricted by fires. Residents can also swap out for elk tags in other zones as long as tag holders are willing to sign an affidavit stating they have not hunted in the original zone.
A single case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been identified in Boundary County. Efforts are underway to better understand the spread of the disease in the area by issuing surveillance tags. Stay tuned for future updates.
Ellary Tucker Williams, IDFG Legislative and Community Engagement Coordinator provided updates on the status of a pair of committees. First, the Nonresident Hunting Advisory Committee held its first in-person meeting and is working on the structure of its recommendation for balancing the various types of nonresident tags. The committee focused its efforts on the smaller portions, including nonresident youth, DAV, and lifetime license holders who no longer live in Idaho. The next meeting should produce recommendations for all other nonresidents, including outfitted and non-outfitted nonresidents, and how best to manage the user experience, the process for obtaining tags, and the allocation of these tags. Ellary also reported that the Hunting and Advanced Technology Working Group received more than 760 applications from people interested in being involved in the conversation. She said the Department has hired an independent third- party to help sort through the whopping list of applicants.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS
The 2024 Annual Clay Buster Bonanza is right around the corner, and there are still a few spots for shooters. The Sept. 18th event is co-sponsored with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and Idaho Sportsmen Access and Opportunity, with the ammo generously donated by CCI /Speer. All proceeds go towards the Idaho Sportsmen's Legislative Caucus. Donations to the cause are always appreciated for those unable to take part.
Benn Brocksome, from Idaho Sportsmen, reminded that there are still some funding sources for projects available through the Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council (ORFAC). He encouraged anyone with ideas for Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR), and IDFG to investigate these funding sources or to contact him for assistance.
