HB 565: Wolf Management and Game Violation Penalties (2026)

Summary: Eliminates several Idaho Department of Fish and Game statutory requirements related to wolf management reporting, facilitation of interstate wolf transfers, and penalties for certain big-game violations.

ICL’s Position: Oppose

Current Bill Status: Committee - House Resources & Conservation

Issue Areas: Wildlife

House Bill 565, introduced by Rep. Dustin Manwaring (R–District 29), is posed as an effort to “streamline” Idaho Code. It would remove several statutory requirements affecting the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) that are now likely viewed by the majority as contrary to current legislative agendas, including: (1) the requirement to provide the legislature and the public with annual progress updates on the agency’s wolf management plan which includes a summary of hunter and trapper harvest, lethal removal efforts, livestock conflicts and effects on other wildlife; (2) the requirement for IDFG to solicit transfers of wolves to other state wildlife agencies that may want to initiate reintroduction efforts; and (3) penalty provisions for game violations related to seasons, limits or methods of take, for mountain lions; also, violations relating to protections for buffalo and woodland caribou.