APRIL TOWN HALL
With the April Town Hall occurring during what turned out to be the final week of the Idaho legislative session, the goal was to run a meeting that was efficient and informative. We’re confident we checked both boxes.
Amber Worthington, Idaho Fish and Game Deputy Director for Programs and Policy, kicked the meeting off with a recap of the recent Fish and Game Commission meeting. Filling in for Director Jim Fredericks, Worthington said the Commission set big game hunting seasons for 2025. Some of the notable changes include:
A reduction of mule deer doe tags in some units, which is a response to recent survey results.
In response to comments to the Southeast Mule Deer Working Group, the commission agreed to a new approach to take unit 73a from an any weapon unit to a muzzleloader-only and archery-only unit. Again, this shift in policy is designed to better manage the harvest by reducing it and increasing buck quality. Nonresident hunters will be allowed to get a refund until April 30th if they opt not to hunt in this district under the new rules.
Established a year-round mountain lion season without expanding hound hunting season. Also increased mountain lion bag limits in units 10a and 45 to two.
Modified spring black bear hunts in certain units. Also made adjustments to reduce harvest of black bear in 32a and converted unit 32 to general season.
Worthington reported that the Commission authorized the agency to begin with proposed rulemaking designed to transition into a nonresident deer and elk draw system. This policy shift has been under consideration for several months and has included the work of the Nonresident Tag Issuance Advisory Group.
The Hunting & Advanced Technology has concluded its work, Worthington said. The Commission also directed the agency to proceed with rulemaking incorporating the recommendations from the group. For more specifics, the agency has posted the Final Hat Consensus Recommendations.
Worthington wrapped her presentation with an update on wolf hunting and harvest totals. She said no changes have been made to wolf hunting seasons. The annual harvest is projected to be about 150 wolves, down from last year’s totals and about 100 short of the agency’s target number.
Allison Ginn, the Forest Service liaison to Idaho, offered up a few bullet points of note, including:
It’s still too early to determine staffing across the agency. The agency is expecting restructuring plans in the coming weeks, though probationary employees have returned for duty.
A moratorium has been placed on the Forest Service grant program. However, she said payments are still being made for grants that had previously been approved. She urged patience in the short term and said anyone with questions should reach out to grant partners.
The main focus for the Boise National Forest right now is habitat restoration in areas impacted by wildfire. She also said the agency is welcoming help in clearing and opening trails for the season.
Board member Benn Brocksome wrapped up by pointing out the recent ruling from the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the practice of corner crossing to access public lands. The decision essentially allows hunters and anglers the ability to legally cross the corners of public and private lands as long as they don’t step foot on the private land.
The ruling upholds one of our basic tenets, the belief that public lands should be accessible to all. Brocksome added that Idaho Sportsmen will continue to watch this case, as an appeal is expected.
“I believe we’ve done a really good job here in Idaho of being friendly and asking for permission when in doubt, but we also know that this issue is a much bigger deal in other places across the West,” he said.
Brocksome also thanked the Idaho legislators in attendance during the final week, and for their commitment to making meetings since the legislative session began in January. He praised the work they did during the session to improve the overall landscape for hunting, trapping, fishing, water quality, and more.
