Tax Checkoff Supports Nongame Species

Anyone getting ready to file their tax returns might consider supporting Idaho 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, which still continues as an important source of program income today. In 1992, the Idaho Legislature passed the wildlife license plate bill that allowed a portion of the wildlife license plate proceeds to benefit the nongame wildlife program. The bluebird plate became available in 1993. The elk plate was added in 1998 and the cutthroat trout plate in 2003. 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. Robins in our backyards, the elusive wolverine of Idaho's high mountain ranges, and frogs in Idaho's wetlands are just a few of our nongame animals. 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 check-off, donations, grants and federal funds in addition to the sale of wildlife license plates. 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. The nongame program gets 70 percent of the money from bluebird plates, and 60 percent of the money from elk and trout plates - 10 percent of the money from elk plates supports wildlife disease monitoring and testing programs, and 10 percent from cutthroat plates supports non-motorized boat access. The wildlife plates provide about 95 percent of state-based nongame wildlife program funding, which includes annual bald eagles counts and the new Idaho Birding Trail as well as the Project WILD and Wildlife Express conservation education programs for teachers and students. The money also provides critical matching dollars for federal grants and partnerships with federal natural resource agencies. Wildlife plates are available at the vehicle licensing offices of every county assessor. For information, or to buy a wildlife plate contact the local county assessor: http://itd.idaho.gov/dmv/vehicleservices/assessor.htm; or the Department of Transportation Special Plates-Registration Services Section on the Internet at http://www.itd.idaho.gov/dmv/Vehicleservices/registr.htm; or by phone at 208-334-8649.