HB 196: Moratorium on Mule Deer Doe Hunting — 2025

Rep. Josh Tanner (R-Eagle) introduced House Bill 196 which establishes a 5 year moratorium on mule deer doe hunting in specified game management units across a broad swath of southern Idaho.

The 5 year moratorium would prohibit any harvest of mule deer does in Game Management Units 18 and 38-55, covering a vast area near Riggins, Boise, Owyhee County, Fairfield, Twin Falls, Rupert, and Burley.

This bill unnecessarily interferes with the Idaho Fish & Game Commission’s legitimate role to set seasons and bag limits. The IDFG Commission already has full authority to change how it sets seasons for deer, elk, moose, or other species to respond to population, disease, or other concerns.

Way back in 1938, 76% of Idahoans agreed with the citizen’s initiative that established professional management of wildlife via a professional, science-based fish and game department and their independent Commission. Idaho citizens were concerned because they saw the negative effects of political influence over fish and game management.

It was the right decision in 1938 to insulate wildlife management from political meddling and it’s the right decision today. We already see too much legislative interference when it comes to IDFG budgets, management of game farms, and changes to bag limits and access. HB 196 would undermine the role of the independent Fish and Game Commission to protect and preserve the fish and wildlife that belong to all Idahoans.