dguthrie2121
Member
- Messages
- 62
The Idaho Fish and Game have recently proposed changes to the current Landowner Appreciation Program (LAP). I was able to attend the public meeting held in Pocatello on May 27th that discussed these proposed changes and took public comment. Under the current program anyone with 640 acres in any hunt area or unit qualifies to participate in the LAP. The current program can offer up to 25% of the tags offered to the general public to qualifying landowners. Typically this number stays around 10% unless there are depredation concerns. The landowners apply for these tags in the same way the general public does, however their pool is separate from the general public. Under the current system landowner tags are non-guaranteed, just as a tag is for the general public, they must be draw and awarded the tag. Also the tags may be transferred to immediate family or employees but cannot be openly marketed or sold. Under the new proposed system here are some of the changes:
? Landowners with 640 acres in any hunt unit or area qualify for one base tag
? Landowners with 5,000 acres in any hunt unit or area qualify for two base tags
? Landowners with 10,000 acres in any hunt unit or area qualify for three base tags
In addition to these tags landowners with 320 acres in any hunt area or unit may qualify for ?stewardship tags? by completing one or more of the following:
? Enter into a wildlife habitat management agreement (1 additional tag)
? Enter into an access agreement either to private land or through private land to access ?landlocked? public lands (1 additional tag)
? Enter into a one year depredation release agreement (1 additional tag), only available in areas with documented history of previous or current depredation problems.
In the new program landowners will be available to receive up to 6 tags in a given hunt area or unit. The LAP Tags will also become 100% guaranteed. Here is an example of what will happen under the new proposed system. In the Bannock Zone Elk hunt that runs from October 15 through 24 there are 200 tags given to the public. In this area there would be 121 base tags issued to landowners in addition to the 200 given to the public. That is also a 600% increase from the current landowner tags provided! This also does not include any stewardship tags, there could potentially be as many tags given to landowners as the general public! In a couple years when the elk herd can no longer sustain the hunting pressure the landowner tags will still be 100% guaranteed, that means when it is time to cut tags it WILL come from the public quota. We will be sacrificing our opportunity to hunt to allow the minority of citizens to control the majority of the tags. This is unacceptable, we will be turning over the management of our public resources to a few individuals that only hope to profit from these animals. This in no way benefits the average sportsman. This is the road to limited tags where only the wealthy have the opportunity to hunt every year. This will severely limit hunting opportunities for us as well as future generations. Please contact you elected representatives and visit the provided link to leave comments and voice your concern. If we as sportsmen do not actively protest this proposed change we will be forced to watch a select few hunt year after year as our opportunities as public hunters will dwindle. Please take action now before it's too late and share this information with your friends and family. There is also a meeting schedule listed below, if you can attend and voice your concern please do. Thanks.
Link to public comments section, Public input will be taken until June 6- http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/?getPage=33
Meeting Schedule:
May 29, 2014
6-9 pm Magic Valley Regional Fish and Game Office
324 South 417 East - Suite 1
Jerome, ID 83338
June 3, 2014
6-9 pm Clearwater Regional Fish and Game Office
3316 16th St.
Lewiston, ID 83501
June 4, 2014
6-9 pm Southeast Regional Fish and Game Office
3101 S. Powerline Rd.
Nampa, ID 83686
? Landowners with 640 acres in any hunt unit or area qualify for one base tag
? Landowners with 5,000 acres in any hunt unit or area qualify for two base tags
? Landowners with 10,000 acres in any hunt unit or area qualify for three base tags
In addition to these tags landowners with 320 acres in any hunt area or unit may qualify for ?stewardship tags? by completing one or more of the following:
? Enter into a wildlife habitat management agreement (1 additional tag)
? Enter into an access agreement either to private land or through private land to access ?landlocked? public lands (1 additional tag)
? Enter into a one year depredation release agreement (1 additional tag), only available in areas with documented history of previous or current depredation problems.
In the new program landowners will be available to receive up to 6 tags in a given hunt area or unit. The LAP Tags will also become 100% guaranteed. Here is an example of what will happen under the new proposed system. In the Bannock Zone Elk hunt that runs from October 15 through 24 there are 200 tags given to the public. In this area there would be 121 base tags issued to landowners in addition to the 200 given to the public. That is also a 600% increase from the current landowner tags provided! This also does not include any stewardship tags, there could potentially be as many tags given to landowners as the general public! In a couple years when the elk herd can no longer sustain the hunting pressure the landowner tags will still be 100% guaranteed, that means when it is time to cut tags it WILL come from the public quota. We will be sacrificing our opportunity to hunt to allow the minority of citizens to control the majority of the tags. This is unacceptable, we will be turning over the management of our public resources to a few individuals that only hope to profit from these animals. This in no way benefits the average sportsman. This is the road to limited tags where only the wealthy have the opportunity to hunt every year. This will severely limit hunting opportunities for us as well as future generations. Please contact you elected representatives and visit the provided link to leave comments and voice your concern. If we as sportsmen do not actively protest this proposed change we will be forced to watch a select few hunt year after year as our opportunities as public hunters will dwindle. Please take action now before it's too late and share this information with your friends and family. There is also a meeting schedule listed below, if you can attend and voice your concern please do. Thanks.
Link to public comments section, Public input will be taken until June 6- http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/?getPage=33
Meeting Schedule:
May 29, 2014
6-9 pm Magic Valley Regional Fish and Game Office
324 South 417 East - Suite 1
Jerome, ID 83338
June 3, 2014
6-9 pm Clearwater Regional Fish and Game Office
3316 16th St.
Lewiston, ID 83501
June 4, 2014
6-9 pm Southeast Regional Fish and Game Office
3101 S. Powerline Rd.
Nampa, ID 83686
