Several new and changed Idaho laws took effect July 1 that will affect the state's hunters and anglers.
The legislation:
- Adds a wolf tag to the sportsman's pack, increasing the price from $117.25 to $124.25.
- Includes nonprofit organizations that are qualified under section 501(c)(19) of the internal revenue code, as qualified to assist veterans who participate in Fish and Game's special disabled veteran programs.
- Incorporates a nonresident three-day fishing license into the adult nonresident hunting license with no change in the current license fee. This change will enhance the nonresident recreational experience for those who might also desire to fish while hunting in Idaho.
At the upcoming meeting July 11-13 in Bonners Ferry, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission will consider new rules to put into practice laws that:
- Allow parents and grandparents to transfer controlled hunt tags and controlled hunt permits to certain minor children or grandchildren according to rules prescribed by the Fish and Game Commission. This would allow family members to enhance a youth's hunting opportunity and experience. The minor child must either be licensed to hunt or a participant in the Fish Game mentored hunting program. Sale of the designated control hunt tag is not lawful.
- Direct the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to develop rules that would exempt the companion of a disabled hunter from the requirement of having a tag while helping a disabled hunter who has the appropriate tag and a valid disabled combination license.
- Allow the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to issue special big game auction tags referred to as "Governor's Wildlife Partnership Tags." Fish and Game may issue up to three tags per species per year for deer, elk and pronghorn; one tag per year may be issued for moose, and one tag per species per year may be issued for mountain goat and bighorn sheep. These special auction tags will be taken from the nonresident tag quota, and will be auctioned by nonprofit organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation.
Similar to Fish and Game's current bighorn sheep auction tag, the proceeds will come back to Fish and Game for a variety of wildlife programs. The commission will consider new procedure rules for these tags at their July meeting, but they are not expected to issue any of the new Governor's Wildlife Partnership Tags at this meeting.
