Commission to Consider Hunting Technology

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will consider changes in muzzleloader and archery hunting technology rules during their annual meeting Wednesday through Friday, January 10, 11 and 12, in Boise. The commission's annual meeting at Fish and Game Department headquarters in Boise starts at 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 10, with a workshop on mule deer. A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. that evening. About 9:40 a.m., Thursday, commissioners will tackle nonbiological rules for big game, which will include consideration of changes in weapons technology, including electronic devices, the definition of traditional muzzleloader, caliber and projectile requirements, and bow let-off and arrow weight and length. Current rules do not allow the use of any electronic device attached to a firearm or scope. Some hunters, however, especially those with poor eyesight, have asked that they be allowed to use scopes with lighted reticles. Current rules allow such scopes to be used for upland game birds, such as turkeys, but not for big game. The rules place no restrictions on caliber for firearms used to hunt big game. Some hunters have raised concerns about long-range cartridges and have asked for restrictions on .50-caliber or larger centerfire cartridges. During their November meeting in Lewiston, commissioners noted that the intent of a muzzleloader hunt was to allow hunters who use traditional muzzle-loading hunting rifles, which have limited range and reliability, an opportunity to hunt without competition from modern weapons. Current regulations define a traditional muzzleloader hunting rifle as using only open sights, no scope or electronic devices, loose powder, with an exposed pivoting hammer and using only nonjacketed lead or lead-alloy bullets. Some hunters have asked that rules be modified to include only rifles with side-mounted hammers, or "sidelocks," as traditional muzzleloaders. Improvements in muzzleloader technology have increased hunter success, resulting in reduced muzzleloader hunting opportunity. The commissioners will consider whether all special-season muzzleloader hunts should be limited to traditional muzzleloaders. Modern "in-line" muzzleloaders still would be allowed in any-weapon hunts. Changing all muzzleloader hunts to traditional muzzleloader hunts would provide additional special muzzleloader seasons. The commission will also consider minimum caliber and bullet weight for hunting big game with a muzzleloader. Some hunters say that .45-caliber round balls are inadequate for big game. Recommendations to the commission include minimum .49-caliber bullets with a minimum weight of 240 grains for deer, pronghorn and mountain lion and 300 grains for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat and black bear. Commissioners will also consider changing archery technology, including changing the rules to allow an 85 percent let-off for compound bows, instead of the current 65-percent limit, to allow the use of expanding broadheads, and changes in arrow length and weight if matched to the bow. The changes are not expected to affect hunter effectiveness or success rates. About 10:30 a.m., commissioners will consider a pilot project for alternatives ways to compensate landowners who participate in the Access Yes! program that provides hunter and angler access to private lands. The pilot project would allow Fish and Game to issue tags as one form of compensation to landowners who participate in the program. Next they will consider changes in biological rules for trophy species-moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goats-including a proposed change in the definition of a legal ram to "any-ram" instead of the three-quarter curl requirement. Other changes include regional adjustments in bighorn sheep, mountain goat and moose seasons. About 3:45 p.m. Thursday, commissioners will be updated on wolf management planning. Following an announcement by the federal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that it plans to initiate removal of wolves in the Northern Rockies from the endangered species list, Fish and Game is working on a post-delisting management plan. Department staff members could be managing wolves within the state's borders in a year. They plan to manage wolves through hunting in the same way as with other large predators, such as black bears and mountain lions. Hunts may vary with locations from light hunting in areas where a stable wolf population is acceptable, to moderate hunting where fewer wolves are wanted, and heavier hunting in areas where wolves are a problem for livestock or big game animals and few or no wolves are wanted. Friday afternoon, new Fish and Game commissioners Randall Budge and Robert Barowsky will head to the Senate Resource Committee Room in the Statehouse for their confirmation hearings. (Note: Times on the agenda are approximate and subject to change.)