Idaho Fish and Game wildlife managers are asking deer hunters to review Fish and Game’s draft management plans for mule deer and white-tailed deer and provide feedback to the department on the overall concepts of the plans and whether topics are missing that might improve them. The plans describe statewide management directions and strategies.
Officials have extended the public comment period to June 28 in an effort to allow more time for hunters to comment, which they can do online, at open houses, or by phone by calling a regional office. Open houses (see schedule below) will be held statewide to discuss the management plans, and hunters are asked to review the plans before attending.
There are separate plans for mule deer and white-tailed deer, but both focus on a variety of topics that include population management and also frameworks and concepts for hunting seasons that will maintain sustainable deer herds and strive to meet hunters’ expectations.
Both plans are the result of extensive hunter surveys that were done in 2017-18 where mule deer and white-tailed hunters shared their expectations. Those surveys were incorporated into the draft plans, which will guide deer herd management over the next six years.
The plans are a blend of scientific information and plain language, but the overall concepts in the plans are easily understandable for the average, informed hunter.
The plans mostly outline broad management prescriptions and concepts that typically do not go into unit-by-unit detail, nor do the plans provide season frameworks or specific rules, which are addressed in the big game season setting and rules process.
After hunters review and comment on the draft plans, wildlife managers will incorporate those comments and revise plans, then present a final draft to the Fish and Game Commission during summer.
Review the Mule Deer Plan
Review the White-tailed Deer Plan
Deer plan open house schedules
Panhandle Region
Coeur d’Alene: June 12, 5 to 7 p.m., F&G Regional Office, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave., Roosevelt Room.
St. Maries: June 15, 8 to 10 a.m., St. Maries Fire Hall, 308 W. Jefferson Ave.
Ponderay: June 19, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Ponderay Events Center, 401 Bonner Mall, Suite E.
Clearwater Region
Lewiston: June 11, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., F&G Regional Office, 3316 16th St.
Southwest Region
Nampa: June 13, 5:30 to 8 p.m., F&G Regional Office, 15950 North Gate Blvd. (Note: this is the new Nampa regional office)
McCall Subregion
McCall: June 19, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., F&G Regional Office, 555 Deinhard Lane
Southeast Region
Pocatello: June 18, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., F&G Regional Office, 1345 Barton Rd.
Magic Valley Region
Jerome: June 12 from 3 to 8 p.m., F&G Regional Office, 324 South 417 East, Suite 1
Upper Snake Region
Idaho Falls: June 19, 4 to 8 p.m., F&G Regional Office, 4279 Commerce Circle.
Salmon Region
Salmon: June 18, 4 to 7 p.m., F&G Regional Office, 99 Hwy 93 North
Challis: June 19, 4 to 7 p.m., Challis Event Center, 411 Clinic Road