People have until June 27 to enter their comments on these proposals. People can read the full proposals and comment by going to F&G's Rulemaking Page and filling out online comments.
Limit transport of cervid carcasses into Idaho from states with CWD
To reduce the possibility of entry of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) into the state, and to prevent spread of CWD within the state after detection, the IDFG draft strategy for CWD prevention, detection, and management recommends the prohibition of importation of any wild cervid carcass into Idaho from any CWD positive state, and the prohibition of the export/transport of a wild cervid carcass from within a defined CWD management zone in Idaho (post detection) to an area outside of the zone.
Integrate CWD risk into consideration of emergency winter feeding decisions
IDFG’s Chronic Wasting Disease Strategy recommends that the risks of spreading Chronic Wasting Disease are considered along with the other conditions and criteria considered by IDFG, and the recommendations from Winter Feeding Advisory Committees, for determining an emergency exists and that it is appropriate to initiate distribution of supplemental feed for wintering deer, elk, and pronghorn.
Restrict public from winter feeding wild deer and elk in designated Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone
Winter feeding causes artificial concentrations of wild deer and elk that creates a high potential for disease transmission between animals and may increase the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). To reduce the possibility of transmission of CWD where wild deer and elk are concentrated by unsanctioned supplemental feed provided by the public, IDFG is proposing a rule that would restrict the public from feeding wild deer and elk in a designated CWD Management Zone following confirmation of CWD detection.
Adopt a landowner permission hunt for turkeys in controlled hunt areas
In recent years, localized turkey populations have expanded and created depredation issues on private lands. In addition to turkey depredation issues, landowners who provide valuable turkey habitat in controlled hunt areas have expressed frustration at being unable to hunt turkeys on their own property, because of low controlled hunt drawing odds.
Eliminate mail as an option to submit controlled hunt applications
Currently, hunters can submit controlled hunt applications to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game via mail or electronically through the automated licensing system at any vendor location including Fish and Game regional offices and headquarters, or via the telephone. In 2017, only 3 percent of the controlled hunt applications were submitted via mail, but ensuring all post-marked mail has arrived, processing the mail, and entering the controlled hunt application information into the electronic licensing system adds an additional five to seven processing days, delaying conducting the draw and announcing results.
Ban importation and possession of live mule deer, white-tailed deer, moose, and wild elk in Idaho
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Strategy recommends discontinuing the issuance of IDFG permits authorizing import or possession of live mule deer, white-tailed deer, moose, and wild elk. IDFG is proposing a rule change to reduce the possibility of CWD prions being introduced into the state through the importation and possession of wildlife. This rule would not affect domestic elk importation.
Prohibit use of natural cervid-based urine
The prions that cause Chronic Wasting Disease may be excreted in the urine of infected animals and may result in transmitting the disease to other cervids (deer, elk, moose).
To reduce the possibility of introducing or spreading prions that cause CWD through the use of scents or lures, the Department is proposing to ban the use of natural cervid urine products. Synthetic substitutes for urine products may be still be used.
Revise trap set back distance from trails for trapping of furbearers and wolves
Currently the minimum distance for placement of a ground, water, or other trap set for furbearers or wolves is 5 feet from the centerline of a public trail.
The intent is to modify trail set-back restrictions to minimize conflicts between trappers and other trail users by reducing the likelihood of accidental capture of dogs or other domestic animals. The proposed modification would extend the minimum set-back from the current 5 feet from centerline to 10 feet from the edge of any maintained public trail.
Allow use of qualified air guns to hunt for big game animals
Air gun hunting for big game is not new. Air gun technology dates back to Lewis and Clark who used a pre-charged pneumatic powered air rifle on their expedition through Idaho in 1803. Currently, Idaho law and Fish and Game Commission rules do not allow hunting for big game with air guns. To keep with fair chase and ethics guidelines, the caliber and discharge requirements would be proposed as such:
- Air guns using pre-charged pneumatic power to propel a projectile (excluding shot and arrows) with un-ignited compressed air or gas and caliber criteria relative to species.
- For moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, elk and black bear; “big bore” airguns not less than .45 caliber.
- For pronghorn, deer, mountain lion and gray wolf; “big bore” airguns not less than .35 caliber.
Allow senior/disabled/DAV hunters to apply for second application period of youth-only hunts
Fish and Game Commission rule already allows hunters who are at least 65 or who possess a senior combination license, a disabled combination license, or a nonresident disabled American Veteran hunting license to apply for any youth-only controlled hunt tags for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, and black bear that are sold on a first-come, first-served basis when tags are left over after a first and second application period. The proposed rule would increase opportunity for these hunters by also allowing them to apply during any second application period for youth-only controlled hunt tags for these species.
Disallow transfer of once-in-a-lifetime species to minors
Currently, Idaho law and Fish and Game Commission rules allow a resident parent or grandparent who draws any controlled hunt tag to designate that tag to their resident minor (younger than 18) child or grandchild. Similarly, any nonresident parent or grandparent who draws any controlled hunt tag may designate to their nonresident minor child or grandchild. The proposed rule would exclude moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and grizzly bear controlled hunt tags from designation by any parent or grandparent to their minor child or grandchild to address concerns raised by hunters that draw odds for these once-in-a-lifetime species may be negatively affected by multiple parents and grandparents applying for these species with intent to designate the tag to their child or grandchild.
Comment on these proposals online