My question has to do with managing ever-increasing numbers of hunters in Idaho and restoring quality hunting at the same time. Would it be possible to further manage or even reduce the number of hunters at a given time during a general season while increasing quality animals? I do realize that is a significant challenge!
No doubt areas with significant deer and elk populations understandably attract a higher number of hunters, compounded with increasing numbers of hunters overall, it may be time to get creative in our thinking. To manage hunter numbers in high-use areas could there be a hunters choice split season, first half second half? At the same time, in order to address the quality of bucks specifically, would it make sense to adopt something similar to the A and B tag logic? Maybe an A tag for three points or less with B tags for 4 points or better. Couple this with the hunters choice, A tag first half or B tag second half of the season, I wonder if these ideas have the potential to reduce hunters numbers at a given time while allowing for increased quality for those that prefer 4 points or greater? Thanks for your hard work and creating a platform for public questions, comments and ideas!
Answer:
We have been measuring hunter opinions and attitudes on hunter crowding and did this before the changes to nonresident tags limitations and since the change. Reducing congestion is a goal of the department, but understanding it fully before we come to the public and Commission with potential options is very important. Stay tuned.
Answered on:
Friday, October 14, 2022 - 2:11 PM MDT