Nationwide, state agencies are wrestling with balancing technology, hunter success, and wildlife management objectives, and Idaho is no different. As technology advances and hunter success rates increase, agencies are left with only a few tools to ensure that hunters are not overharvesting game species and jeopardizing their long-term sustainability. Those tools include:
1) Equipment restrictions
2) Season timing and length
3) Number of tags
Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) has traditionally managed game species with a focus on providing greater hunter opportunity, including a higher number of available tags and longer seasons. Some members of Idaho’s outdoor sporting community have begun to express concerns related to the advancement of hunting technology and the potential erosion of fair chase ethic. However, IDFG also acknowledges that other members of Idaho’s outdoor sporting community do not share those same concerns.
Recognizing the widely varying opinions on the matter amongst Idaho’s outdoor sporting community the Idaho Fish and Game Commission (Commission) directed IDFG to organize and facilitate a working group to delve into this complex issue. The purpose of the Hunting and Advanced Technology (HAT) Working Group is to assess public perspectives on what is and is not considered “fair” technology to use in the pursuit of game and develop recommendations to the Commission that strike an appropriate balance between the use of hunting technology and fair chase ethic. Those recommendations would then be reviewed by the Commission and considered for implementation.
IDFG received over 750 applications to serve on the HAT Working Group. Selections were made by soliciting the input of IDFG’s Directors Office, Regional Supervisors, Bureau Chiefs, and field staff who interact with the public in the various regions. We selected people based off a variety of factors, including Idaho residency, area of hunting experience and weapon type, IDFG regional representation, age, expressed technology preferences and experience (traditional vs advanced), understanding of wildlife management, recognition as to the complexity of the problem, ability to work collaboratively with differing perspectives, and more. Members of the HAT Working Group cover the spectrum of interests, including traditional archers, competitive long-range shooters, houndsmen, trappers, deer and elk hunters, bear baiters, wolve hunters and more, all with varying perspectives and stances on what is and is not "fair" in the pursuit of big game. To learn more about HAT Working Group members, please review their bios.
All Meetings will be streamed via Zoom. There will be no opportunity for public comment during the meeting.
Join virtually via Zoom
Members of the public who would like to submit comments for the HAT Working Group to consider are asked to use the below feedback form.
If you have any questions, please contact Ellary TuckerWilliams, Legislative and Community Engagement Coordinator, at 208-287-2788 or ellary.tuckerwilliams@idfg.idaho.gov
