Idaho Early Season Rifle

Model70 · Mar 13, 2006

I've been hunting Idaho with a general tag the past few years, so I never had a need to put in for a controlled hunt. Now that there's talk of finally using a preference system, I'm thinking of trying to build some preference points in one of our long-odds early season rifle hunts. I've been hunting Unit 19A and know the state issues a whopping 5 tags for the early season hunt, but was wondering which early season hunt/units would be the holy grail of opportunities? Any thoughts?

blacktailBC · Mar 15, 2006

Sent you an e-mail......

elkhunter4 · Mar 20, 2006

I am going to put in again and start earning points if this is what they indeed do in Idaho. What are the best units in Idaho for the rifle or muzzle loader hunts? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

EH4

Model70 · Mar 20, 2006

I read in another thread that the preference points will be implemented, at the earliest, in 2007.

shortmag · Mar 21, 2006

Units 29,30,37,and 37A come to mind but eastern units and panhandle also have their "holy grails". Check out the IDFG hunt planner. It should point you to where you want to apply. Harvest statistics are available on the website as well.

brymoore · Mar 21, 2006

Have you read about the new program? It is nothing like WY. PP max out at 2 points. Odds of drawing will only change slightly.

spotnstalkID · Mar 21, 2006

brymoore,

Where did you get that info at? I'm not saying it is incorrect, just wondering where you got it. As far as I knew there was nothing set in stone on anything and you sound pretty certain that is how it is going to be.?.?... 2 points is max? That is the part I'm wondering about. Just curious.

Jaxon

Model70 · Mar 23, 2006

A 2 point max would certainly change my plan. No use wasting money on a draw with long odds if you can only double your chances. Pretty lame system if you ask me. I was hoping it would be like my native state, South Dakota, where you continuously build points with each unsuccessful draw.

brymoore · Mar 23, 2006

I live in Idaho and have followed this closely. I had a long conversation with F&G when they were looking for public feedback. Basically, a system like WY would cost a lot of money that ID hunters did not want to pay for with increased tag fees. A system is already in place to track who draws buck/bull tags. Therefore, its relativley inexpensive to use this system to track a 2 point system. Essentially, the proposed plan will slightly increase your draw odds (I think, I still haven't done the math).

I think this new plan is a waist of time.

Califelkslayer · Mar 23, 2006

bry, I don't dispute your info since you live there. i did talk to a F&G guy at the RMEF convention. He told me is was going to be Nevada style with squared preference points and all. He also told me that he wasn't sure if it would start in 06 or 07. There was another post on here a few weeks ago that mirrored the info i got. The only question I had was if unsuccessful apps. in 06 would get a point in 07? Now it looks like I'll have to call em. If I find out something other than what you stated, I post it.

brymoore · Mar 24, 2006

Well, they could have changed their direction after I talked with them. I left a VM for the gentlemen I talked with in the late fall.

brymoore · Apr 5, 2006

I spoke with ID F&G this morning. They have scrapped all plans for a bonus system for the next two years.

As a resident, this is good news!

Califelkslayer · Apr 5, 2006

Good to know. I do get to apply for elk there again this year after my one year on the bench. As a non-resident, i have to buy a $140.00+ license just to apply which improves draw odds. When I'm sitting out a year after drawing anything, I don't apply for the other species either. $140.00 for a chance at a deer tag and an elk tag i can stomach, $140 for only one and i tap out that year. Id is the state where i will eat a tag if it conflicts with another tag somewhere else because i don't have to buy the tag until July and all of the other draws are done. My strategy for what it's worth.

Model70 · Apr 9, 2006

What I fail to understand is how the preference system purportedly requires significant increases in fees. All of the press releases and interviews I've read made conclusory statements that it will cost $$ to implement such a system. Why? Seems to me, because our system is already computerized, it wouldn't take much to monitor and track unsuccessful controlled hunt applications. Maybe someone else can educate me on the significant costs that are allegedly involved.

spotnstalkID · Apr 10, 2006

The fee increase will depend on what type of system is implemented. If they implement a system such as Nevada's, where there are points to be kept track of year after year, and you build points every year you are unsuccessful, IDFG will be contracting out that work (system). If they have to contract that out to a third party, that is where the fee increase comes into play. IDFG will not be doing this type of program through their curent system.

If they end up implementing a system such as one that only gives you a point the first year you are unsuccessful, giving you two chances the following year but never gaining more than one point (or never having more than 2 chances in the hat in a single year) they will be keeping it in the hands of IDFG, not contracting it out and there should be no fee increases; Although I doubt this will be the system implemented.

From the sounds of it, it is going to be a bonus point system, similar to Nevada's system and they will end up contracting it out and charging higher fees. Nothing official here obviously, just what I've heard from IDFG.

Hope that makes sense.
Jaxon