Fish and Game surveying hunters about controlled hunt drawings and auction tags

Fish and Game is gathering opinions from hunters about possibly changing controlled hunt drawing odds and increasing the number of big game tags offered through auction. For many years, some hunters have expressed interest in changing Idaho's controlled hunt drawing system to favor those who were unsuccessful in previous drawings. Others have suggested auctioning big game tags as a way to increase revenue for conservation and hunter access programs. Both issues have generated interest in the Idaho Legislature. During October, Fish and Game will conduct a series of surveys. The first will be a random-sample mail survey, which will be sent in early October. That will be followed by an e-mail survey randomly sent to a limited number of hunters, then Fish and Game will conduct a survey on its website that any hunter can take. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will use results from the surveys to consider whether changes to controlled hunt rules should be considered. Currently, Fish and Game commissioners allow a single bighorn sheep tag to be auctioned annually. They have not implemented the additional tags for other big game animals authorized by the Legislature in 2012. The surveys are intended only to gauge hunters' interest in those topics. "I assure you that if the commissioners determine changes are warranted to the controlled hunt drawing system based on survey results, we will get input from sportsmen about any proposed changes before any final decisions are made," said Fish and Game Commission Chairman Mark Doerr of Kimberly. Here are some commonly asked questions about why Fish and Game is doing the surveys:

• Why three surveys? It is actually the same survey, but it will be delivered three different ways to allow more hunters to participate and offer their opinions. The mail survey will be sent to a random sample of about 4,400 hunters from across the state, and based on past survey response rates, roughly half (or less) will fill out and return the survey. It is designed to provide a scientific representation of hunters' opinions. The random email survey will go out to a larger group, but the department recognizes not all hunters provide their email address, so the survey will also be available on Fish and Game's website for whoever wants to take it. But Fish and Game officials also know there may be campaigning involved with the website survey because those who feel most strongly about the topics are likely to take that survey and encourage others to take it.
• Haven't these topics already been surveyed? Yes. The commission wants to gauge current opinions on these issues. Controlled-hunt drawing odds are an ongoing discussion between Fish and Game and hunters. On several occasions, Fish and Game commissioners have considered adding bonus/preference points for controlled hunts to improve drawing odds for some hunters. Other options for changing drawing odds are available, such as limiting the number of hunts a person can apply for, or extending waiting periods before successful applicants can re-enter the controlled hunt drawing. Fish and Game surveyed hunters in both 2005 and 2010 about different options for controlled-hunt drawings, but Fish and Game's current commissioners were not on the commission and part of those discussions. These surveys will update hunters' opinions and see if they have changed.
• Do these surveys mean Fish and Game plans to change the controlled hunts, or offer big game auction tags? No. There are no proposals currently in the works. Any changes to controlled hunts would be done via rule making by the Fish and Game Commission. Any specific proposals on these topics would be put out for public comment well in advance of any commission action.
• How will the department use the results of the surveys, and will the public get to see them? Fish and Game officials always take into consideration hunters' preferences when addressing any issue. However, there are many factors that must be weighed during the commission's decision-making process. Surveys are not a referendum where hunters vote, but they are a valuable gauge of hunter preferences, and how strongly they feel about certain topics. Results of the surveys will be available during the Fish and Game Commission's quarterly meeting in Nov. 19 in Hailey.
• When will the survey be available for people to take online? Mid-to-late October at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.