Idfg Meeting With Public To Discuss Fine Tuning Future Big Game Regulations

IDAHO FALLS - It used to be that muzzleloaders and bows represented primitive methods of hunting, but technological advances make today's equipment bear as much resemblance to their predecessors as a Humvee does to a Model-T. Because of all the ongoing changes, IDFG wants to see how archers and muzzleloader enthusiasts feel about changing the rules about what type of equipment they can use. These non-biological topics, as well as more specific big game regulation changes will be discussed at three meetings scheduled across the Upper Snake Region for the week before Christmas. Comment is specifically being sought on changing the amount of "let-off" allowed for use by hunters using compound bows. Let-off is the amount of pressure on the bow string when the bow is at full draw; thanks to the use of special cams designed to shift the load. Presently, hunters in Idaho are limited to compound bows that have a 65 percent let-off. Today, many bows on the market have an 80 percent let-off! Also, a past barrier to use of bows with greater let-off was the acceptance of animals shot using such bows for inclusion on trophy group records. Just recently, Pope and Young, the archery club that monitors hunting records of archery hunters changed its rules to allow hunters that use bows with an 80 percent let-off to enter their animals in their record books. Muzzleloaders have also seen many advances in equipment available over the last decade. The latest progress made has been in the development of more reliable percussion caps to ignite the loose black powder. Present regulations specify that hunters must use No. 11 percussion caps only. These are basically the same caps that have been used since muzzleloaders moved away from being flintlocks! New, more dependable products such as 209 shotgun primers or musket caps are now available. Along with exploration of technological advances in the field of what were formerly called primitive weapons, the Department also has a number of topics that are non-biological in nature that they would like to discuss with sportsmen. Among these is the use of Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) on primitive hunts. Also, they want to discuss with hunters the way that certain data is collected such as the check-in process for mountain lions and regulations regarding the transporting lower jaw of elk and deer. IDFG is continually looking for better ways to administer the selling of licenses, tags, and permits. They would like to see what sportsmen have to say about modifying the rules regarding controlled hunt permits, how to best sell leftover nonresident tags, and how to sell nonresident junior mentored hunting licenses. This is also the beginning of the process to set the 2004 seasons for deer, elk, antelope, bears and lions. Biologists will present available data about each species and ask hunters for their opinions on changes for the next set of regulations. IDFG will also be presenting a draft of the first-ever statewide white-tailed deer management plan SCOPING MEETING SCHEDULE - All meetings start at 7:00 PM Tues., Dec. 16 Arco Arco Elementary School Wed. Dec. 17 Idaho Falls IDFG Regional Office Thurs., Dec. 18 Rexburg Madison Middle School Individuals with disabilities may request meeting accommodations by contacting Daryl Meints at the Idaho Department of Fish & Game at 525-7290 or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-3529(TDD). Individuals not able to attend, but wishing to comment may do so via E-mail at dmeints@idfg.state.id.us or by regular mail to IDFG /4279 Commerce Circle in Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401. The deadline for all comments is 5:00 P.M. on Friday, December 19, 2003.