Tax Checkoff Supports Nongame Species

For those procrastinators who haven't filed their tax returns yet, it's not too late to consider supporting the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's nongame program with a voluntary contribution through the state income tax checkoff. Fish and Game has always managed nongame wildlife to some degree, but the Nongame Wildlife 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. 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. The nongame program gets no money from the sale of hunting or fishing licenses or from the state general fund. The program relies on the income tax checkoff, donations, grants and federal funds in addition to the sale of wildlife license plates.