Wildlife Plates Help Support Nongame Wildlife Programs

Now Idaho residents can put wildlife plates on their camping trailers as well as the vehicle that pulls them while they help support nongame programs. 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. Songbirds in backyards, elusive wolverines in high mountain ranges, pygmy rabbits in the sagebrush deserts, and herons, salamanders and frogs in wetlands are just a few of Idaho's nongame species. Formal funding of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's nongame wildlife program began when the Legislature approved a state income tax check-off on the 1981 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. Wildlife plates are available at the vehicle licensing offices of every county assessor. 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 license plates provide most the nongame budget, which includes no money from hunting and fishing licenses and tags or from the state's general fund. The money also provides critical matching funds for federal grants. The money supports wildlife conservation, education and recreation programs, including: - Threatened and endangered and sensitive species research and management. - Habitat improvement. - Wildlife viewing. - Trail maintenance and interpretive signs. - Wildlife rehabilitation. - Wildlife publications and classroom materials. - Nature Center materials and programs. - Project WILD teacher training. - The Idaho Birding Trail. Wildlife plates are by far the most popular of the special Idaho plates. More wildlife plates were sold or renewed in 2005 than 21 other special plates combined. And since January 1, 2003, the Transportation Department has issued wildlife plates and some other specialty plates for towed recreational vehicles. The wildlife license plates are sponsored by the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation on behalf of Fish and Game's nongame program. 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.