Why It Matters: As emergent technologies potentially allow hunters and anglers to be more efficient and successful in the field, questions of fair chase ethics, and population stability inevitably follow shortly behind. State fish and wildlife agencies across the country are tasked with finding a suitable middle ground, where hunters and anglers can still take advantage of new technologies, without giving them an unfair advantage over wildlife and harvesting too many game species off the …
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) announced today that Nate Serlin has joined the organization as the Rocky Mountain States Coordinator. In this role, Nate will work closely with the state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses under the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming to protect …
CSF Welcomes New Rocky Mountain States Coordinator Read More »
Why It Matters: As Idaho continues to navigate the balance between outdoor heritage and modern legislative pressure, Senate Bill 1013 emerges as a promising step forward. This bill, introduced by Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs, aims to bolster trapping education and mentorship programs, offering a structured entryway for individuals interested in trapping while reinforcing its …
Trapper’s Education: A Gateway for Beginners in Idaho Read More »
Why It Matters: As a part of their ongoing case to delist grizzly bears, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is reviewing and updating hunting and trapping rules to aid in their overall recovery plan. Temporary black bear hunting rules were recently adopted by the IDFG commission, and a formal rule making process, …
Why It Matters: A recent court ruling has made wide scale changes to trapping seasons in the northern portions of Idaho, designated as grizzly bear habitat. Prior to this ruling, Idaho Senate Bill 1211, supported by the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, had expanded wolf trapping seasons in areas with chronic livestock depredation and/or reduced elk …
Court Ruling Impacts Wolf Trapping Seasons in Idaho Read More »
Why It Matters: Quagga mussels, initially detected in the Snake River in September 2023, prompted rapid treatment and mitigation efforts that included limiting access to the waterway. Supported by Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-chairs, Senate Bill 1372 added $6.6 million in funding towards detection, treatment, and eradication of aquatic invasive species. Early detection and treatment …
Why It Matters: The 2022-2023 winter was hard on ungulate populations, especially mule deer herds in Southeastern Idaho. In fact, record levels of winterkill were recorded across the western states in 2023. One strategy being utilized to help these herds recover is a temporary closure of shed hunting in two Idaho regions as the state …
Shed Hunting Paused in Idaho to Protect Wintering Herds Read More »
Why It Matters: In the western US, there is a growing concern that shed hunters are contributing significantly to increased stress of wintering big game, especially in areas that may have experienced severe winter weather. As conservationists first, sportspeople in Idaho came together to advocate for this important measure that balances sportsperson access and opportunity …
Idaho Fish and Game Commission Granted Authority to Manage Shed Hunting Read More »
Why it Matters: Despite being considered charismatic, wild, and mysterious to some people in our modern age, wolves are not fundamentally different from other wildlife species. It is imperative that states do not treat wolf management as the exception, but rather hold wolves and wolf management to the same science-based standards that have proven time …
Why It Matters: In 2004, the bipartisan and bicameral Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus was formed as an entity through the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses – a national network of organized state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses with a current collective membership of approximately 2,000 legislators. Since its inception, the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus has continued to …
Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Kicks of 2023 with New Leadership Read More »
