Fish and Game to host breakfast meeting
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will be discussing hunting season proposals concerning big game including white-tailed deer, at its breakfast meeting next month. Courtesy photo
OSBURN — The Shoshone County Sportsmen will host the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for breakfast next month at the Osburn Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall.
Following breakfast will be a presentation from wildlife staff on big game season proposals.
According to Kiira Siitari, an IDFG regional communications manager, the proposals discuss deer, elk, black bear, mountain lion and wolf season proposals for 2019-2020.
Siitari outlined those specifics, addressing each topic.
In 2018, IDFG completed a hunter opinion survey concerning the handling of white-tailed deer, which the department will use in part to gauge hunter preferences as it updates its white-tailed deer management plan.
Two years ago IDFG made some significant changes to the elk seasons and structure, including bringing back an either-sex hunt on the general tag and they will be checking in on how those changes are going.
As far as predator management, IDFG will be asking a more broad question concerning how they are doing managing the many predators within the Shoshone County ecosystem.
“Are we meeting our goals of building healthy deer and elk herds, reducing impacts on farmers and ranchers, and providing hunters and trappers the opportunities they seek to harvest wolves, lions and black bears?” Siitari asked. “We have an ongoing elk survival study in the Silver Valley that specifically looks at whether wolves or mountain lions are killing more elk.”
The proposal is not final — it’s a starting place to help sportsmen develop their own comments. Tag numbers, controlled hunts and season length are generally the biggest topics hunters want to focus on.
At the end of the breakfast, there will be time for questions and comments, and everyone will have a chance to provide written comments as well.
All through February, IDFG will be collecting public comments on how it should shape big game hunting seasons and rules for the next two years.
The Shoshone County Sportsmen's Breakfast will be the first opportunity in the Panhandle to see the 2019-2020 season proposals and discuss them in person with Fish and Game staff.
The meeting is Saturday, Feb. 2, and will run from 7:30-10 a.m. at the Osburn VFW Hall, 318 E. Mullan Ave. Non-members are also welcome to attend.
Proposals will be available to review and comments will be collected at the breakfast. Hunters can also attend one of Fish and Game’s open houses or comment online. Proposals will be available online before the first open house in February.
If you have questions, please contact Regional Communications Manager Kiira Siitari at 208-769-1414.