Tax Check-off Supports Nongame Species

As folks start thinking about tax returns, they might consider supporting Idaho wildlife that is neither hunted nor fished with a voluntary contribution through the state income tax check-off. To support nongame wildlife, check the "Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund" on the tax form. Fish and Game has always managed nongame species to some degree, but the nongame program - now part of the new Conservation Sciences Program - became a reality in July 1982, following legislation that established the state's first income tax check-off on the 1981 income tax form, which still continues as an important source of program income today. The number of Idaho residents participating in wildlife related activities, such as bird and wildlife watching, wildlife photography, bird feeding and conservation education, continues to rise. While this constituency continues to grow, the problem of how to fund the nongame program and meet ever-increasing demands continues. More than 80 percent of Idaho's wild creatures-523 species including songbirds, water birds, raptors, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and threatened and endangered wildlife-are classified as "nongame wildlife." Nongame wildlife is not normally hunted, fished or trapped, but is found in every corner of Idaho. Conservation Sciences gets no money from the sale of hunting or fishing licenses or from the state general fund. The program relies on the income tax check-off, donations, grants and federal funds, but most of the money comes from the sale of wildlife license plates. The bluebird plate became available in 1993. The elk plate was added in 1998 and the cutthroat trout plate in 2003. Wildlife plates are available at the vehicle licensing offices in every county. The Idaho Transportation Department keeps 30 percent of the revenue from the purchase or renewal of wildlife plates.