The Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Monday, Aug. 12, approved two legislative proposals to advance for Governor’s Office review: a) increasing nonresident license and tag fees and b) establishing Commission authority to designate locations other than WMAs to stock pheasants and require an Upland Game Bird Permit to hunt them. The commission also adopted new rules that change gear requirements for wolf trapping. The legislative proposals and rule must be approved by the 2020 Legislature to become effective.
If approved, the nonresident fees would include (exclusive of vendor fee):
- nonresident combination hunting/fishing license increase from $238.25 to $262.25
- nonresident hunting license increase from $153 to $183.25
- nonresident fishing license increase from $96.50 to $106.25
- nonresident deer tag increase from $300 to $350
- nonresident elk increase from $415 to $650
Other proposed nonresident fee increases can be seen here.
Commissioners also forwarded to the legislature a proposal that would remove the current rule that requires snare diverters for trapping gray wolves, but would allow diverters to be required in local areas to reduce bycatch at the commission’s discretion if deemed necessary.
The wolf snare proposal also included adding rules that mandate cable stops and break- aways on wolf snares in order to allow nontargeted animals to escape if they’re accidentally snared.
The commission will meet again August 22 at the new Southwest Region office at 15950 North Gate Boulevard in Nampa. Here's the full agenda.