Mule Deer Management Plan Released For Public Comment

Idaho Department of Fish and Game is soliciting public comment on the draft Idaho Mule Deer Management Plan. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission, during its quarterly meeting November 15, approved releasing the draft plan for public review and comment. When adopted by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, the final version of the plan would guide mule deer management for the next 10 years. The plan would not set hunting seasons, but it would provide management goals and strategies for how Fish and Game would manage mule deer. The Mule Deer Initiative is an integral component of the draft plan, focusing specialized management efforts in areas of Idaho where mule deer are declining. The draft plan identifies 12 management goals, developed from a series of public involvement efforts over the past 10 months. Last winter the University of Idaho and Idaho Fish and Game surveyed more than 4,500 mule deer hunters. Public meetings were held throughout Idaho during September and October. Fish and Game also hosted a Mule Deer Workshop in Pocatello with more than 100 mule deer hunters participating. The results of these public involvement efforts were used to draft the 12 management goals in the plan. Fish and Game wants public comments on the draft plan by December 31. Comments will be incorporated into a final plan to be presented to the commission for adoption in January 2008. If adopted, Fish and Game would develop 2008 mule deer hunting season recommendations based on the new plan direction. The public will have additional opportunities during January and February to participate in development of the 2008 hunting season recommendations. The plan is available for public comment at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/public/, Regional Fish and Game offices will be hosting public meetings to discuss the plan and gather public comments. For more information on these public meetings, please contact your nearest Fish and Game office. Written comments may be submitted by December 31 online or by mail to Idaho Fish and Game, Mule Deer Plan Comments, P.O. Box 25, Boise ID 83707, attention Mule Deer Plan Comments.