Strategic Plan Update: Goal #2: Improve user experience for hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife-related recreation
Please review and submit your comment for Goal #2: Improve user experience for hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife-related recreation in the Draft IDFG Strategic Plan 2026.
The plan is organized around four goals. Under each of these goals are updated objectives, strategies and actions that reflect the changing needs of Idaho now and in the years ahead.
Objective 1: Increase satisfaction with hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife-related recreation opportunities and experiences.
Strategy 1: Understand and be responsive to concerns related to user crowding.
Action #1 – Collect, analyze, and distribute information on the demand and availability for hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife-related recreation.
Action #2 – Use information gathered to inform and engage with various user groups competing for limited resources and space on ways to reduce crowding.
Action #3 – Work with private and governmental entities that manage public access to improve user experience and manage crowding.
Strategy 2: Improve clarity and usability of hunting/fishing/trapping regulations.
Action #1 – Solicit input on the format and complexity of regulations and regulations booklets to improve their clarity and useability.
Action #2 – Improve efficiency and effectiveness of communications related to regulations through better understanding the content and form of delivery preferred by users.
Strategy 3: Manage the variety and distribution of access for public hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife-related recreation to provide a positive user experience.
Action #1 – Secure short and long-term access agreements with private and corporate landowners and provide incentives and services to landowners who allow public access for hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife-related recreation.
Action #2 – Improve landowner/sportsman cooperation through communication and enforcement of hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations.
Action #3 - Work with agency partners to manage access to publicly owned lands.
Action #4 – Maintain access sites on Department-owned and managed lands to provide opportunity and facilitate public safety.
Action #5 – Work with appropriate jurisdictions and stakeholders to ensure legally accessible public lands are not illegitimately restricted.
Strategy 4: Strengthen public trust through implementation and enforcement of regulations that encourage safe, lawful and responsible participation in hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife-related recreation.
Action #1 – Increase the coverage and consistency of enforcement activities and overall visibility of staff in enforcement roles to the public.
Action #2 – Promote an improved understanding of activities prohibited by law and ethical conduct, the distinction between them, and the importance of both in preserving the future of hunting, fishing, and trapping.
Action #3 – Promote stronger deterrents to the illegal take of fish and wildlife.
Strategy 5: Expand opportunities for non-consumptive forms of wildlife-related recreation.
Action #1 – Increase engagement with non-consumptive wildlife-related recreationists (e.g., wildlife viewing) to better understand and facilitate their continued support of conservation.
Please review and submit your comment for Goal #2: Improve user experience for hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife-related recreation in the Draft IDFG Strategic Plan 2026.
The plan is organized around four goals. Under each of these goals are updated objectives, strategies and actions that reflect the changing needs of Idaho now and in the years ahead.
Objective 1: Increase satisfaction with hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife-related recreation opportunities and experiences.
Strategy 1: Understand and be responsive to concerns related to user crowding.
Strategy 2: Improve clarity and usability of hunting/fishing/trapping regulations.
Strategy 3: Manage the variety and distribution of access for public hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife-related recreation to provide a positive user experience.
Strategy 4: Strengthen public trust through implementation and enforcement of regulations that encourage safe, lawful and responsible participation in hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife-related recreation.
Strategy 5: Expand opportunities for non-consumptive forms of wildlife-related recreation.