Idaho Fish and Game comments

[Okie]

Opportunity for Public Response and Comment on
2009 Proposed Rule Changes
The Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public review and comment on proposed big game and upland game rule changes and other issues. Proposals will be considered by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for approval. Rules approved by the Commission in July 2009, if approved by the 2010 Legislature, would become effective in 2010.

Listed below in two sections are proposed rule changes to address 11 issues.

In Section I, Fish and Game is looking for your opinions on seven proposals.
In Section II, Fish and Game is asking for any comments you may have on four additional proposals.

The response and comment deadline is July 10, 2009.





Section I
Issue 1
Mistaken identification by black bear hunters can be an important mortality source for grizzly bears. As grizzly bears numbers expand in some parts of Idaho, the potential for mortality from mistaken identity could increase. Should black bear hunters be required to pass an on-line bear identification course, similar to Montana's, before hunting where grizzly bears occur? Wyoming offers a voluntary web-based training aid. Fish and Game's website offers links to both state courses.

Proposal #1: Offer a voluntary web-based bear identification course developed specifically for Idaho, and actively encourage black bear hunters to take the voluntary course.
Please check one: Support No Opinion / Neutral Do Not Support
Proposal #2: Require black bear hunters to pass an on-line bear identification course before buying a license if they plan on hunting in areas where grizzly bears are known or expected to occur.
Please check one: Support No Opinion / Neutral Do Not Support

Issue 2
Current rules prohibit the use of handguns in short-range weapon big game hunts. Should handguns be allowed in big game short-range weapon hunts? Short-range weapon hunts are used in areas where the ballistics and range capabilities of high-powered rifles are a safety concern. Several handgun cartridges are capable of taking big game, yet have limited ballistics and would not pose a significant safety concern in short-range weapon hunts. Handguns shooting centerfire cartridges are currently allowed in any-weapon hunts. Archery-only and muzzleloader-only hunts are not classified as short-range weapon hunts.

Proposal: Allow the use of handguns using straight-walled cartridges not originally developed for rifles in big game short-range weapon hunts. Handguns would not be allowed in archery-only or muzzleloader-only hunts.
Please check one: Support No Opinion / Neutral Do Not Support

Issue 3
Use of ATVs by hunters has increased substantially over the past 10 years, in some cases creating conflict between nonmotorized and motorized hunters and increasing the vulnerability of deer and elk in some areas of Idaho. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has adopted Motorized Vehicle Restriction Rule in some units to reduce conflicts between users and to help buck and bull survival. We are proposing to apply the Motorized Vehicle Restriction Rule in Units 66A and 76 during the fall hunting season to improve hunt quality. Neither mule deer nor elk populations are meeting management objectives in these two units.

Proposal: Implement the Motorized Vehicle Restriction Rule in Units 66A and 76 during the fall hunting seasons.
Please check one: Support No Opinion / Neutral Do Not Support

Issue 4
Current state rule requires anyone having in possession a raw black bear or mountain lion pelt to have the pelt marked with an official state export tag. Official state export tags, including Idaho's, are designed to provide some assurance the animal was lawfully taken and to allow possession of raw pelts in states that prohibit the taking of certain animals. However, some jurisdictions (e.g. state of Washington) do not require export tags for black bear pelts, but do allow the sale. Lack of export tag requirements creates problems for some Idahoans, including furbuyers and taxidermists, wishing to possess lawfully obtained raw black bear pelts from Washington. Similarly, current state rule also requires export tag requirements for raw bobcat pelts, while some jurisdictions do not provide export tags.

Proposal: Allow other forms of official documentation to suffice as an export tag to allow possession of pelts lawfully obtained outside of Idaho.
Please check one: Support No Opinion / Neutral Do Not Support

Issue 5
Should leftover first-come, first-served youth-only controlled turkey hunt permits be made available to senior hunters? In 2008, the Commission adopted rules allowing senior and disabled hunters to apply for leftover first-come, first-served youth-only controlled deer and elk hunts.

Proposal: Allow senior and disabled hunters to apply for leftover first-come, first-served youth-only controlled turkey hunt permits.
Please check one: Support No Opinion / Neutral Do Not Support

Issue 6
Should the use of blood-trailing dogs be allowed for tracking and recovering wounded big game animals? Current state law prohibits the use of dogs while big game hunting, except for black bear and mountain lion. Other states, such as California, New Mexico, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas, have developed rules allowing the use of blood-trailing dogs.

Proposal: Allow the use of one blood-trailing dog controlled by leash during lawful hunting hours and within 72 hours of hitting a big game animal to track wounded animals and aid in recovery.
Please check one: Support No Opinion / Neutral Do Not Support

Issue 7
Fish and Game officials have observed numerous instances in which salt was being used as bait for black bears during fall hunting seasons creating concerns for enforcing the prohibition against baiting deer and elk.

Proposal: Prohibit the use of salt for bear baiting.
Please check one: Support No Opinion / Neutral Do Not Support



Section II
In addition, Fish and Game officials plan to bring the following proposed rule changes before the commission:

Issue 1
Controlled hunt permits leftover after the first drawing (May 1 - June 5) are made available through a second drawing (August 5 - August 15). Successful applicants in the second drawing are notified by August 25. Some big game controlled hunts end during August, however, creating inadequate opportunity for hunters who get permits in the second drawing to participate.

Proposal: Allow leftover controlled hunt permits in hunts ending during August to be made available immediately first-come, first-served over-the-counter following the first drawing.


Please enter any comments in the box below:




Issue 2
Current rules prohibit the use of any electronic device attached to an arrow. Managers propose that battery powered lighted nocks be allowed for big game hunting in Idaho to assist in determining arrow placement, finding arrows and recovering animals. Lighted nocks do not affect performance or harvest efficiency of archery equipment.

Proposal: Allow the use of lighted nocks while hunting big game with archery equipment.


Please enter any comments in the box below:




Issue 3
Current state rules allow antlers, horns (with the exception of bighorn sheep), parts of mountain lions and bears, and elk teeth from animals that have died of natural causes or been lawfully harvested to be legally possessed or sold. However, no rules are established relative to the lawful possession or sale of bones from lawfully harvested or naturally dying wildlife creating confusion with some people.

Proposal: Allow the possession or sale of bones from lawfully harvested or naturally dying big game animals.


Please enter any comments in the box below:




Issue 4
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has delisted the peregrine falcon (1999), bald eagle (2007), and grizzly bears in the Yellowstone ecosystem (2007). State rules classify all three species as threatened in Idaho.

Reclassifying Yellowstone grizzly bears as a big game animal is consistent with the Idaho Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Management Plan, adopted by the Idaho legislature and approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This proposal is to reclassify; any rules developed to allow grizzly bear hunting would require additional public involvement and commission action.

Reclassifying bald eagles and peregrine falcons in Idaho to protected nongame is consistent with their population management status in Idaho.

Proposal: Reclassify Yellowstone grizzly bears as a big game animal in Idaho.
Proposal: Reclassify the bald eagle as a protected nongame species in Idaho.
Proposal: Reclassify the peregrine falcon as a protected nongame species in Idaho.


Please enter any comments in the box below:






If you have any further comments please enter them in the box below.
Click the "Submit" button, under box, when finished. Thank You!

The response and comment deadline is July 10, 2009.

[Okie]

Anybody can go to the Idaho Fish and Game website and make comments on these proposed rule changes.

[bearhunter77]

Just got done putting my two cents in. Thanks Okie.

[Mikes Hero]

This website is a great tool.

We all need to be watching what our "State Fish & Game" agencies are doing.

Basically here in Idaho they are trying to limit us by closing roads (as mentioned above) - this is the wrong approach from a hound hunters perspective. And "hell yes" let's start shooting the grizzlies (and the wolves to).

If we don't; start counting the days, because our sport will not be possible.

[spl]

GLAD WE DONT HAVE WOLVES OR GIZZLES here in wv