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 »
My husband and I moved to Idaho almost 4 years ago. Both of us grew up bird hunting and both of us didn’t achieve our first big game harvest until well into adulthood. Last season, I was fortunate enough to learn from one of the best outdoorsmen I know and harvest my first cow elk. …
It Takes More than Skill to be a Successful Elk Hunter Read More »
Why It Matters: On the fourth Saturday of every September, National Hunting and Fishing Day recognizes generations of sportsmen and women for their contributions to the conservation of our nation’s rich sporting heritage and natural resources. One of the main goals of National Hunting and Fishing Day is to recruit new hunters and anglers by …
Idaho Takes to the Range for National Hunting and Fishing Day Read More »
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States, Assistant Manager Why It Matters: Formalizing official Advisory Councils to state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses provides Caucus members with a direct line to their outdoor sporting constituency that can deliver invaluable insight to policy as it relates to conservation and our shared outdoor sporting heritage. As Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Members rotate …
Idaho Sportsmen Named Advisory Council to the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Read More »