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January 2008 FYI

For your calendar

• 17th Annual IOGA Lobby Days - February 12-13, Idaho “temporary” Statehouse & Basque Center, Boise
• Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board Meeting—January 16-18, Boise
• Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting—January 15-17, Boise
• Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting—March 5-7, Boise
• IOGA Board of Director Meeting—March 7, Plummer (Wellness Center)
• 5^th Annual IOGA Outdoor Getaway Fundraiser—March 8, CDA Casino, Worley
• Clearwater Valley Chapter Roundup & Idaho State Championship Elk Calling Contest, April 12, Orofino
• IOGA and Forest Service Main Salmon Partners Afloat Trip—May 5-9, Main Salmon River
• Governor's Conference on Tourism—May 7-8, Pocatello

Forest Service Directive on Outfitter Permitting

First, the IOGA request for extension of the comment period has been granted. We thank our congressional delegation for assistance in securing the extension. Comments are now due February 19, 2008.  Electronic comments with attachments may be submitted before February 19^th at

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=SubmitComment&o=09000064803304bc

 

IOGA is following the lead of America Outdoors regarding direction for both individual member and organizational comment. The AO draft comment is in its final stages of development. As soon as AO and its affiliates, IOGA included, have finalized the strategy for comment, IOGA will alert its membership on recommendations for effective comment. In the meantime, below are some points to consider as you work on your comment:

 

• The most notable flaw in the policy is the directives' requirement for outfitter businesses to operate at 100% capacity to avoid reductions in permitted use.  Requiring an outfitter business to operate at 100% capacity is unrealistic and unreasonable. The lodging industry nationwide realizes about 65% capacity. (IOGA is checking on the Idaho lodging capacity rate.) 
• Even the Directive's addition of 10% capacity to actual use, when use is reviewed every five years, provides insufficient cushion for temporary demand in shoulder seasons. Variances in the length of the season result from changes in snow pack, fires, and other natural phenomenon and impact the permittees' ability to utilize annual permitted capacity.  Furthermore, new businesses require several years to build demand. Applying a rigid use standard after five years of operation will undermine the potential for new outfitters, the financing of their operations, and their potential to grow their business.
• Only the peak (and/or control) season should be used to determine capacity utilization.  We support the establishment of temporary use pools for non reoccurring uses on the part of colleges, non-profits and other groups, provided these permits are consistent with state licensing laws AND that use is not taken from priority users to enhance non-reoccurring use.
• Inspections of outfitters camps and uses should be subject to appeal since their evaluations and eligibility for permits are dependent on these inspections.
• There is no mechanism for those outfitters currently operating on temporary use to convert to priority use permits. Due to current cost recovery requirements, some permittees will have to pay thousands of dollars to enable the agency to perform NEPA analyses in order to receive a priority use permit. The costs for NEPA compliance can be beyond the economic capability of many small businesses.
• The Directive will lead to the elimination of existing use pools unless they are included in management plans.

    Again, IOGA will re-contact its membership soon with additional recommendations for individual member comment.           

IOGA Sponsoring Unlicensed Outfitter/Guide Legislation

 

Attend IOGA Lobby Days, February 12 and 13 and/or help by writing up your experience(s) with unlicensed outfitting that has impacted your business and the legal industry. Send description to Grant Simonds at gsimonds@cableone.net and keep it on your computer to use in messages to your legislator. We will let you know when a bill is introduced so that your contact(s) with your legislators can be maximized.

 

 

 

IOGA Priorities for 2008

 

-Focus on national/federal issues such as--

• Work to revise proposed Forest Service Directive on outfitter permitting
• Continue to monitor federal highway construction projects for appropriate access—Riggins and Stanley areas
• Work toward securing exemption for use of firepans/charcoal on Lower Salmon River during Stage 1 & 2 fire restrictions
• Monitor wolf delisting & amendment of 10j rule
• Stay involved with Owyhee Initiative legislation that would include designation of wilderness & wild & scenic rivers, inclusion of IOGA recommended outfitter language and appropriate access
• Monitor Idaho and Forest Service roadless rule, especially for appropriate access
• Monitor Coast Guard reauthorization bill will an eye toward stripping provision that would provide authorization for sales tax on navigable waterways.

?Focus on state issues such as—

• Pass unlicensed outfitter/guide legislation
• Be a part of the solution regarding potential state efforts to enact non-motorized boat registration fee. Oppose legislation should it emerge.
• Monitor Idaho legislature with assistance of professional lobbyist and membership
• Monitor Idaho Fish and Game Department/Commission planning and actions with focus on season structure & regulation (March and November Commission meetings a priority)
• Monitor Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board

-Continue to improve IOGA website with focus on restructuring fishing section

-Implement fundraising programs

-Support efforts of the two IOGA chapters—the Clearwater Valley and Salmon chapters

-Implement quality annual December meeting including a session on buying/selling a business

-Implement with governmental and non-governmental partners Bighorn Sheep Viewing Stations near Challis and Salmon

-Co-sponsor Partners Afloat trip on the Main Salmon River

There will be other priorities added to the list as the year unfolds.

Short takes

• IOGA Lobby Days takes on special significance. We encourage a large turnout for the 17^th annual IOGA Lobby Days, February 12 & 13, especially considering that IOGA is sponsoring unlicensed outfitter legislation. Making personal contact with legislators on February 13 will enhance our ability to get this legislation passed. We also need additional contributions of game and bird meat along with help cooking our dutch oven cuisine that legislators anticipate year-in and year-out. Be a part of this signature IOGA event! Contact Jane Bruesch at idoutfitt@cableone.net and/or Grant Simonds at gsimonds@cableone.net for more information.
• Keep abreast of federal highway project upriver of Riggins. Special thanks to members Andy Nachman and Kim Friend, along with many others, for organizing outfitter industry input on the construction project on the Salmon River road upstream of Salmon. IOGA hosted a session on this project and the future construction project downriver of Stanley on Highway 75 during the recent annual meeting. For the latest on the construction project near Riggins, including a schedule of “openings” check out www.salmonriverroad.org IOGA focuses on access issues, especially ones that affect many businesses.
• Fifth annual IOGA Getaway fundraiser on tap for March 8^th. This live and silent auction is IOGA's signature fundraising event. Live auction items include 21 trips and 9 merchandise items  A raffle for a Sportsman's Warehouse $500 shopping spree will be promoted with tickets $10 each, 6 for $50 or 15 for $100. Early bird raffle tickets for this shopping spree will be buy one and get one free for each ticket purchased by March 1^st. Also, each Getaway paid attendee is entered into a drawing for $1,000 cash.

The venue is the Coeur d' Alene Casino in Worley, 25 miles south of Coeur d' Alene. Getaway Coordinator Barbara Judge judgestjoe@imbris.net and IOGA staff member Jane Bruesch (idoutfitt@cableone.net) have done a fabulous job organizing this event. The Getaway catalogue is at the printer and will soon be available. The IOGA website will be updated soon with a listing of auction items, raffle information and more. A portion of the proceeds benefit Children's Village of Coeur d' Alene. The results of the Getaway are essential to maintaining IOGA's annual financial security. What we need is more volunteer help the day of the event! We'll buy you lunch and dinner! Let us know if you can help. You will be impressed with the quality of this event! A special thanks to all of you who have donated!

• Fifth annual IOGA Clearwater Valley Chapter Roundup is scheduled for Saturday, April 12 in Orofino. This is a local family event featuring a barbecue steak dinner, games, a live and silent auction. Special this year will be the Idaho State Championship Elk Calling Contest. A portion of the Roundup proceeds are given back to the local community in support of college scholarships and other children activities. For more information contact IOGA members Ken Smith (kensmithhunting@yahoo.com) or Leo Crane (leodee@sitestar.net) 

• Results of IOGA Election. Officers elected during the recent annual December meeting for two year terms include: President: Alison Steen, Yellowjacket River Guides (Salmon); Vice President: Mike McLain, Salmon River Tours (North Fork); Vice President REC Section; Lynn Demerse, Shepp Ranch (Riggins); Vice President Hunt Section; Jay Hamilton, Hamilton Outfitters (Rupert).

Board of Directors elected to a three-year term include: Dirk Gibson, Adventure Guides (Great Falls, MT); Marty Smith, Three Rivers Resort and Rafting (Kooskia) and Kelsey Helfrich, guide for Helfrich River Outfitters (Springfield, OR). IOGA wishes to thank Tom Loder, Trent Bullock, Tom Carter and Verle Duerden for their service as an IOGA board of director. The IOGA board of directors meets twice annually in December and either late winter or early spring. The next board meeting is scheduled for March 7, 2008 in Plummer, in conjunction with the IOGA Getaway fundraiser of March 8.             

A complete list of the IOGA officers and board of directors with contact information is available on the IOGA website under member information at http://www.ioga.org/boardofdirectorsandstaff.aspx

• IOGA Poetry Contest Pamphlet Available. This pamphlet is a collection of winning poems since 1996, and is available for $15, including postage. This would be valuable addition to your river, lodge or hunting camp library. Contact Janey Bruesch at idoutfitt@cableone.net or 208.342.1438.

The December 2007 annual meeting poetry contest featured these results:

Mason Kiebert – “Napolean and the Man Dress”(1^st Place) $50 gift card to Cabelas

Brian Reynolds – “Fried Chicken on Sunday” (2^nd Place) $40 gift card

Cavan Fitzsimmons – “First Hitch”3^rd Place) $30 gift card

·         The 2^nd annual IOGA “Images of Idaho” Photo Contest Results (IOGA annual December 2007 meeting).

Winners and prizes, include:

Mike Scott, White Cloud Outfitters – 1^st Place – “Idaho Experiences” category; $100 cash;

Brenda Bullock, Mile High Outfitters – 2^nd Place – “Idaho Characters” category, $50 cash;

Barbara Eisenberg, Whitewater Expeditions – 3^rd Place – “Idaho Experiences” category, $30 cash.

Other contestants included:

Jenni Chaffin, Northwest River Supply; Mike Hovey, Guide; Terry Hughes, River Time Guide Service; Travis Bullock, Mile High Outfitters; Trent Bullock, Elk Creek Outfitters; Dave Melton, Bighorn Outfitters; Dee Crane, Lake-N-Leather Outfitters.

The IOGA “Images of Idaho” photo contest rules and entry forms are located on the IOGA website under member information at http://www.ioga.org/imagesofidahocontest.aspx

·         January Fish and Game Commission to meet in Boise. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission are expected to take up a proposed change to muzzleloader rules at its meeting January 16-18 in Boise. The proposed change would allow the use of some inline weapons during muzzleloader-only seasons. The meeting kicks off with a public comment period at 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 16 in the Trophy Room at Fish and Game headquarters, 600 S. Walnut St., Boise. Commissioners are expected to consider nonbiological rules for all big game animals, September seasons for goose and sandhill crane; rules for wild turkey; rules for doves, upland game and animals, falconry and furbearers.

·         IOGA Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) Actions. The committee met during the annual IOGA December meeting, discussed several topics and took action that was approved by the IOGA board of directors regarding the following:

o    Approved continuation of IOGA involvement in the Owyhee Initiative and reiterated support for “outfitter language” in any federal legislation that may be introduced again. (The OI work group continues to work with Senator Crapo to draft new legislation.)

o    Supports legislation dealing with unlicensed outfitters. (Recently, the IOGA mailed a packet to all voting members of the IOGA and to non-member outfitters detailing the unlicensed outfitter/guide legislation that IOGA is sponsoring during the current session of the Idaho legislature).

o    Request that the Idaho Department of Lands deny the application for riverbed mineral leasing near Jackass Flats downstream of Riggins on the Salmon River. (IDL has postponed a decision on this matter for the time being.)

o    Oppose any state legislation to register non-motorized craft. (A working group on this topic sanctioned by Governor Otter that includes IOGA's Grant Simonds met initially on November 30^th. No date has been set for a second meeting. IOGA and the Idaho Whitewater Association are working together on this one.)

The purpose of the IOGA GAC and committee membership can be found on the IOGA website at http://www.ioga.org/governmentaffairs.aspx

• The IOGA and the Salmon/Challis National Forest are co-hosting a Partners Afloat trip scheduled for May 5-9 on the Main Salmon River. The purpose of the trip is twofold: To improve understanding and communication between groups who have common interest in an area or activity, to foster an attitude of partnership, and to highlight common goals and values and to provide an opportunity for familiarization with the Salmon River wilderness section resource, and recreational use issues pertaining to the Salmon River, for both users and resource managers. Participants will include outfitters, agency persons, other user group representatives and elected leaders. For more information contact IOGA member Chris Swersey at cswersey@salmoninternet.com
• IOGA and Idaho chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (ID FNAWS) are working together to establish Bighorn Sheep Viewing Stations near Challis and Salmon. The project is intended to reduce wildlife-vehicle accidents, provide safe and convenient opportunities to view Idaho's wild Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and create an economic benefit to two rural Idaho counties--Custer and Lemhi. To date, we have firm commitments for approximately $25,000 of the estimated $40,000 to build both observation stations. Construction is expected to begin later this spring.

 

Classified Ads

 

Trickwood pine show booth with trailer to haul.  Regularly won “Best of Show”.  Can display “mounts”.  $1,500 Call 208.398.8426 or 208.866.8879

 

Opportunity for Base of Operations. Swiftwater RV Park, with a choice location on the Salmon River and 2 miles from Hammer Creek Recreation Area in the White Bird vicinity, is looking for a tourism and recreation partner to lease the top floor of its building, which previously had been used for a small convenience store. Float and power boat tour guides with business on either, or both, the Salmon River and Snake River, will find this location extraordinary.  Opportunities for excellent signage, storage of equipment, shuttle vans or guests' vehicles are plentiful. Our RV Park business is thriving.  Many RV and camping guests want to recreate on the rivers, and likewise many river recreationists want to camp or RV, so the partnership will be a win-win. We welcome all ideas and conversations about this opportunity. Contact Alfred or Anna Holden at 208 839-2700; Emails:  Holden@wildblue.com or whitebird@wildblue.com          

 

Welcome to IOGA  New Members --- November 8, 2007 to January 11, 2008

 

Outfitter

 

Richard & Kim Friend

River Adventures, Ltd.

HC 62 Box 502

Pollock, ID  83547

208.628.3952

trips@riveradventuresltd.com

www.riveradventuresltd.com

Chukar hunting, Fishing, Power Boating:  Main Salmon, Lower Salmon, Hells Canyon.  Float Boating:  Lower Salmon.

 

Chad Mohr & Mandi Kendig

Ace Outfitters

P O Box 217

Pollock, ID  83547

208.628.2722

kwmohr@aol.com

Hunting:  Deer, Elk, Bear, Cougar, Predators.  Fishing, Trail rides, Photo trips.  F&G Units 14, 19, 19A, 23,   Existing license.

 

Selway Inn

Mark Tabor & Margery Kuehn-Tabor

P O Box 432

Cambridge ID  83610

Phone & Fax:  208-257-4234

mkuehntabor@yahoo.com

Hunting:  Deer, Elk, Sheep, Moose, Bear, Cougar, Predators, Forest Grouse.  Fishing, Trail rides, Backpacking, Photo trips. F&G Unit 17.

 

Dave Dewey

Middlefork Ranch, Inc.

HC 83, Box 8110

Cascade, ID  83611

254.378.8739

middleforkranch@mindspring.com

Hunting:  Elk, Deer, Bear, Cougar, Predators, Chukar, Forest Grouse.  Fishing, Trail rides.  F&G Unit 27

 

Casey & Ginna Kuenzli

Willey Ranch Outfitters

P O Box 2583

Nyssa OR  97913

541.372-0136 or 208.573.0920

cgkuenzli@msn.com

www.idahoelkhunts.com

Hunting:  Deer, Elk, Bear, Goat, Cougar, Predators.  Fishing.  F&G Units 19A, 20A, 25.  Purchased from Buzz Davis, Willey Ranch Outfitters

 

Guide

 

Brian Johnston

Bighorn Outfitters

11 Tom Boyle Road

Carmen, ID  83462

208.756.3992

 

Individual Associates

 

Holly Thrash                                                                        Bob Lund

3194 Branstetter Lane                                                       5052 S. Cree Way

New Meadows, ID  83654                                                 Boise, ID 83709

208.347.3404                                                                       208.362.2633

hthrash@citlink.net                                                             lboblund@gmail.com