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…
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…
Recent advances in technology, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s), which can assist in the tracking and taking of game, have posed an ethical debate within the hunting community. Legislators and sportsmen should be mindful of Fair Chase issues and, on a state-by-state basis, determine if legislation is warranted to ensure hunting is practiced ethically…
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….
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…
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…
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States, Assistant Manager Why it Matters: Improving access and opportunity for sportsmen and women is a high priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). Through the combined work of HB 702 and SB 1422, the Idaho Legislature has expanded spending authority of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to…
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Senior Coordinator, Rocky Mountain States Highlights Why It Matters: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a progressive, fatal, degenerative neurological disease occurring in farmed and free ranging cervid species including deer, elk, caribou, and moose that causes the brain to degenerate and develop cavities becoming sponge like in appearance. CWD can reduce the…
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Rocky Mountain States Senior Coordinator and Internal MARCOMM Liaison Highlights Why it Matters: Shooting sports are one of the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities nationwide attracting men, women, and kids from diverse interests and backgrounds. Despite being an extremely safe and inclusive activity for all ages, recreational shooting has come under fire…
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Inter-Mountain Western States Coordinator On December 29, Idaho Governor Brad Little became the twenty-ninth member of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC). “As a lifelong sportsman, I am proud to join the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus,” Governor Little said. “Hunting and fishing are built into the culture of Idaho, and we will continue to…
Contact: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Inter-Mountain Western States Coordinator In early December, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released its decision to proceed with the “No Action Alternative” on the proposed Lucky Peak Lake View Trail, located outside of Boise, Idaho in critical big game wintering habitat. The decision is a significant win for conservation as…