Earlier this year, the Idaho Conservation League was encouraged when the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) announced big plans to update their strategic document for the $155 million dollar agency. Historically, it’s the hunters, anglers and trappers that have been regarded as the “voice of conservation” at IDFG Commission meetings and tend to generate the biggest turnout. However, given the immense challenges now being faced by all of Idaho’s native species, ICL was hopeful that a thoughtful strategic planning process would allow wildlife advocates of all backgrounds to talk about a more comprehensive vision for conservation work in Idaho.
After all, by law, IDFG is charged with the role of wildlife resource custodian for all of us—the citizens of Idaho who are beneficiaries of that Public Trust. IDFG even seemed to acknowledge this in the agency’s press release about the update, stating “much has changed in Idaho since (the 2015 plan) so it’s important for those who value wildlife to provide input on how Fish and Game can fulfill its mission in the future.”
This spring, IDFG held eight public meetings across the state seeking input on the following eight priority areas identified by Department staff:
- Hunter, Angler, Trapper and Wildlife Viewer Satisfaction
- Habitat Loss
- Invasive Species and Disease
- Predator Management
- Relationship with Legislature
- Public Outreach, Engagement and Education
- Fiscal Sustainability
- Agency Culture, Recruitment and Retention
The statewide “engagement sessions” were attended by 130 individuals. Their input amounted to 370 pages of “verbatim comments.” Over 400 comments were submitted through IDFG’s online portal.
Perhaps even more importantly, ICL’s own records show that nearly 900 additional public comments were directed to IDFG through our Take Action campaign this spring.
Thanks to YOU, IDFG has heard from everyday Idahoans that the future of our native wildlife must not be taken for granted. Your comments let the agency know that it’s critical they use this moment to rediscover their “North Star” and develop an updated conservation vision in light of the biodiversity challenges facing all Idaho’s native species—not just the animals pursued by sportsmen and women.
Recently, IDFG consultant Anne Wescott provided a summary of public comments at a quarterly meeting of the Commission. While ICL expects to eventually see a full accounting of comments submitted, at first glance, it seems apparent that your opinions were well-represented in Wescott’s initial report of findings. Excerpts from the comment summary are as follows:
User Satisfaction (recommendations):
- Incorporating non-consumptive users into planning and funding mechanisms;
- User ethics, funding fairness, inclusion of non-traditional users, biodiversity focus;
- Some voiced strong opposition to trapping and predator hunting;
Habitat:
Feedback reflects strong public will for IDFG to lead a more visible and coordinated effort in protecting and restoring Idaho’s habitats, with emphasis on communication, access, equity, long-term ecological stewardship and (solutions for) legislative barriers to funding conservation;
- Expanding the current funding model to enable all people who enjoy wildlife to contribute to the conservation of their habitat through conservation tags;
- Science-based habitat management, broader public education, and stronger partnerships with federal and private entities to maintain connectivity and biodiversity;
- Reduce highway wildlife collisions, prevent development in critical habitats, and increase public access;
- Cross-agency collaboration was a key theme, with many participants urging IDFG to play a more active role in land planning and mitigation;
- OTHER: collaboration with ITD on additional wildlife corridors; increase population of beavers; reducing motorized access in sensitive habitats; removing noxious weeds; encouraging conservation logging practices/prescribed fires/grazing.
Wildlife Disease and Invasive Species:
- Concerns centered on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD), brucellosis, avian influenza, and invasive species like cheatgrass;
- Some favored predator involvement to naturally reduce diseased animals;
- Concern about captive elk farms contributing to disease spread and advocated for stronger regulation and oversight; better fencing to reduce spread of disease between captive and wild populations (via IDFG and Idaho State Department of Agriculture).
Predator Management:
A notable number of respondents advocated for science-based, humane management and coexistence strategies. Habitat loss and human development are also seen as key issues influencing predator interactions.
- Support for non-lethal tools and concerns over fairness and ethics in hunting practices; messaging around respect for wildlife;
- Others advocated for wolf protection, citing their ecological value; grizzlies, mountain lions, and coyotes are also frequently discussed, with opinions split between control and conservation.
Public Engagement, Outreach and Education:
Need for increased transparency, clearer communication of decision-making processes, and stronger efforts to engage a more diverse public, including non-consumptive users and new residents.
Fiscal Sustainability:
Concern about funding stability, adequacy, and the sustainability of existing revenue streams. Stakeholders, including staff and agency partners, expressed unease over the Department’s increasing reliance on non-resident fees, shrinking federal funds, and lack of legislative support for fee increases and fund reauthorization.
- Diversifying revenue through non-consumptive user fees; improving funding transparency;
- Significant support for educating the public and legislature about IDFG’s fiscal needs and aligning expenditures with conservation priorities.
Relationship with the Legislature:
Growing concern over legislative engagement in issues typically handled by the Commission. Respondents indicated concerns around tension around public land management and science skepticism.
- Reinforcing IDFG’s public trust mission
- Proactive relationship building
- Improving science communication
ICL is extremely encouraged by the insightful range of comments submitted by wildlife advocates. It’s apparent that all Idahoans want IDFG to succeed. We are grateful that so many came forward to provide ideas about how to ensure a sustainable and resilient state wildlife management agency for generations to come.
This summer, IDFG will begin facilitated internal working group meetings to “consider all assessment findings and recommendations.” The groups will be tasked with drafting strategies and Preliminary Action Plans that will then be shared with the public for further review and additional comments this fall. We encourage you to remain involved in this critical effort and we’ll make sure you hear about the draft Action Plan, once it is ready for public review.
To ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to speak up for Idaho’s native wildlife, sign up for ICL Wildlife Campaign email updates.