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February 2009 FYI

In this edition

• Fish and Game—winter scoping, trophy species, wolves, proposed fees and more
• Whitewater license plate grant possibility
• Owyhee bill passes Senate
• Welcome to New Members

 

For your calendar

• Annual IOGA Salmon Chapter Meeting and Dinner, February 19, Salmon
• IOGA Middle Fork Outfitters Meeting with Forest Service, March 3, Stanley
• IOGA Board of Director Meeting, March 6, Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley (members welcome)
• IOGA Getaway Fundraiser, March 7, Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley (members welcome)
• IOGLB (Licensing Board) Meetings, February 20 and March 19-20, Boise
• Idaho Department of Fish and Game Commission Meeting, March 24-25, Boise

 

Short Takes

 

            Heads up from IDFG's Brad Compton on regional public scoping and proposal meetings regarding 2009 deer, elk, antelope, black bear and mountain lion seasons and tag numbers. Compton, who is a regular presenter during the annual IOGA December meeting, mentioned to Grant Simonds during the January Commission meeting the likelihood of regional IDFG proposals for shortened general deer seasons for Regions 3,4, 5 and 6 (from October 31 to 24). Concerned outfitters will want to check this out with regional biologists. Compton clarified that regional public scoping meetings will occur between now and February 20 upon which regional proposals are due at the Boise headquarters office. Then regional public meetings on Department proposals will be held around the state where sportsmen can provide formal public comment. The Commission meets in late March to make decisions on Department proposals. 

 

            IOGA seeks rafting members' ideas for Idaho Whitewater license plate grant due February 13^th.  The IOGA is strongly considering applying for grant dollars to promote the Idaho rafting industry under the law and rules that established the Whitewater plate several years ago. Grant funding is available through proceeds of the Idaho Whitewater license plate sales. Ideas being considered are IOGA website search engine optimization and coop advertising through Idaho Department of Commerce. Your ideas are welcome. Contact Grant Simonds at gsimonds@cableone.net or 208.343.9548…..right away!

 

            The Owyhee Initiative has already passed the U.S. Senate as part of the Omnibus Lands Bill (S. 22) and is now awaiting action in the House. If approved, it will create more than 500,000 acres of wilderness, as well as more than 300 miles of Wild and Scenic rivers, while preserving grazing rights and recreational access in southwestern Idaho. IOGA's Grant Simonds has represented the industry and been involved in this collaborative process since August of 2001. For an interesting perspective on this collaborative process check out this article that recently ran in the Boise Weekly http://www.boiseweekly.com/gyrobase/Content oid=320654

                        Wolf delisting on hold.  IDFG proposal to limit unacceptable wolf impact on ungulates under review. As most are aware, the latest U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule to delist wolves in Idaho is currently being reviewed by the Obama administration. The rule was scheduled to be printed in the Federal Register on January 27^th.  A new round of legal challenges is expected whenever delisting occurs.  IOGA has supported both federal delisting and the Idaho Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. The Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf population first met the biological recovery goals in 2002.  In the meantime, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is moving ahead under the amended 10j rule (IOGA also supported) of the Endangered Species Act to make a case to control wolves in the Lolo elk  management zone where research indicates that wolf predation on ungulates is unacceptable. The latest IDFG proposal is currently being reviewed by renowned wolf biologists which is part of the 10j process.  Attached is Grant Simonds' recent update on the socioeconomic impacts on the wolf on the industry that was recently shared with Idaho state government and elected officials. A similar analysis is being prepared to send to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. For a recent overview of IDFG actions on wolf issues click on this link http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/releases/view.cfm NewsID=4763 Governor Otter's recent opinion on wolf delisting can be found at http://gov.idaho.gov/mediacenter/press/pr2009/prjan09/pr_003.html

            IOGA has completed its process for selecting nominees to send to Idaho Governor Butch Otter for the outfitter/guide position on the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. The names of John A.K. Barker, Barker River Trips, Inc. Lewiston, and Louise Stark, White Cloud Outfitters, Challis have been forwarded to the Governor. The term of incumbent outfitter IOGLB member Will Judge expires in April 2009. The IOGA process for selection of names to send to Governor Butch Otter included a written and oral interview with the IOGA board of directors. Candidates must have five years experience as a licensed outfitter/guide to be considered. Individuals may contact the Governor's office to offer support for either of our nominees.

 

            The IOGA website has been renovated, particularly the fishing and trail ride sections.  We encourage you to click on this link to see how outfitted fishing activities are now organized on the IOGA website. http://www.ioga.org/fishing.aspx

Also, if you are a trail ride outfitter, check out this link http://www.ioga.org/trailridestripssearch.aspx

Let us know your thoughts. The overall goal with the IOGA website is to continue to refine it to make it as consumer friendly as possible while driving business to individual outfitter members' website. The IOGA website improvements are made possible through an IOGA tourism promotion grant provided by the Idaho Department of Commerce Division of Tourism.

 

            Fish and Game forecasting largest salmon return in years.  In addition to potential seasons on the normal stretches of Idaho rivers (Snake, Clearwater, South Fork Salmon, Little Salmon and the Salmon at Riggins), there could very well be seasons on the Salmon River up and downstream of Challis. Check out this link for additional information. http://www.idahostatesman.com/outdoors/story/650702.html

 

            Fish and Game Commission sets trophy species season structure and permit levels.  During their January 20-21 meeting in Boise, the Commission adopted Department recommendations for bighorn sheep, goat and moose.  These IDFG regulations for the 2009 and 2010 seasons will be available soon. In the meantime, contact IOGA's Grant Simonds gsimonds@cableone.net for details on the future trophy species regulations as he monitored this meeting.  IOGA members monitoring a portion of the recent Commission meeting included Travis and Trent Bullock, Ken Smith and Dana Demorest. 

 

            Progress on the second of two bighorn sheep viewing stations is moving forward. IOGA and the Idaho Foundation for North American Wild Sheep Chapter have written a joint letter of support for a BLM grant solicitation to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. If successful, these IDPR grant funds will allow this joint IOGA and Idaho FNAWS project to meet overall fundraising goals and enable construction to begin this summer of the bighorn sheep viewing station at the Buffalo Jump turnout near the intersection of highways 75 and 93 near Challis. Bighorn sheep are commonly seen in the vicinity of this site and sometimes are endangered by vehicles as they cross the highway. The Challis viewing site will be similar to the Red Rock site north of Salmon that was completed last October including an informational kiosk and viewing scope. These bighorn viewing stations are focused on raising the social value of Idaho's bighorn sheep populations.  IOGA and Idaho FNAWS member Dick Nachbar continues in his role of facilitation of these endeavors.  

 

            Bighorn Sheep Viability DSEIS comment period extended to March 3.  A decision on the amendment to the Payette National Forest addressing bighorn sheep viability is scheduled to be issued later in 2009. The DSEIS can be accessed on the PNF website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/payette/publications/big_horn/big_horn_sheep_documents_index.shtml IOGA encourages interested members to comment. Also, IOGA will be providing comment and is interested to hear from members regarding their thoughts on the IOGA input. Contact IOGA's Grant Simonds at gsimonds@cableone.net

 

           The 6th annual IOGA Outdoor “Getaway” Auction is just around the corner– Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the Coeur d' Alene Casino in Worley, Idaho. A portion of the proceeds from the Getaway go the Children's Village, a group home and crisis nursery in Coeur d'Alene, to provide outdoor activities for the children that live at the Village.  Getaway catalogs have been mailed to each member. Please let Getaway Coordinator Barbara Judge judgestjoe@imbris.net know if there is someone that you would like to receive a catalog or have her make a personal contact. There are 30 items in the live auction – a wide variety of outfitted trips - hunting, fishing, floating and guest ranch stays, and unique merchandise. A silent auction, raffles and games and an excellent meal make this a fantastic evening.  Each ticket holder that attends the Getaway will be entered in a $1,000 cash drawing. Sponsor tables are available. IOGA outfitter members can purchase a table for 10 people for $450.

 

            Fish and Game proposes fee increases.  The Department is proposing license and fee increases that would amount to an 11 to 20 percent increase depending on category. Brief presentations were made by Department personnel to IOGA members attending the annual winter meeting in December. IOGA has not determined a position on the IDFG proposal which is anticipated to be an Idaho legislative issue this winter. Expect an IOGA voting member survey on this topic soon. In the meantime, members are encouraged to visit the IDFG website for an overview of the fee increase proposal at        http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/about/history_funding/RevEnhance/08revEnhance.cfm          

 

 

Welcome to IOGA  New Members ---October 9, 2008 to February 3, 2009

 

Outfitters

White Otter Outdoor Adventures

Doug Finn

P O Box 2733

Ketchum ID  83340

208.788.5005

whiteotter@sunvalley.net

www.whiteotter.com

Fishing, Day Hikes, Backpacking.  Rafting on the Upper Main Salmon (SA1) and Snake (SN6)

 

Far & Away, Inc.

Steve Lentz

P O Box 54

Sun Valley, ID  83353

208.726.8888

Fax:  208.726.2288

adventures@far-away.com  (for IOGA internal use – steve@far-away.com)

www.far-away.com

Chukar hunting, Fishing, Backpacking.  Rafting:  Middle Fork of the Salmon (MF1, MF2); Owyhee (OW1) and Jarbidge/Bruneau (JB1) Rivers.

 

Guides

 

Gehrman, Mike, Parkdale, OR; Boating Guide for Tightlines

Loveland, Cory, Emmett, ID; Hunting Guide for Elk Creek Outfitters

 

Business Associate Members

 

Duck Enterprises, Mike Hovey, Boise, ID; Raft repair and Dutch oven catering.

Idaho Inflatable Boats, Karhu Hakataia, Payette, ID; Inflatable boat repairs

LCC Holdings, Inc., Dave Crandall, Nampa, ID; Outfitters and Guides Insurance.

 

Individual Associates

Michaud, Jim, Sagle, ID; Individual