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Special May 2008 FYI Bulletin

In this edition

 

- Focus on IOGA relationship with the IOGLB, a 2008 IOGA priority

- Governor Otter appoints outfitter Chris Korell

 

For your calendar

·                     Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board Meeting—June 23-25, Boise

·                     IOGA Annual December Meeting—December 8-12, Boise Red Lion Downtowner

IOGLB requests IOGA (member) input prior to late June meeting. The Licensing Board (IOGLB) has requested input from IOGA (members) regarding “Areas for Improvement under Consideration” that was shared with IOGA President Alison Steen and IOGA Executive Director Grant Simonds during a May 14th meeting with IOGLB Executive Director Jake Howard and IOGLB outfitter (also IOGA) member, Tom Long, Cascade Raft and Kayak. See attached letter from IOGLB's Tom Long.

During its late April meeting, the IOGLB has taken the initiative to address some IOGA concerns. The IOGLB is committed to the concept of improving IOGLB customer service with the myriad of customers that the IOGLB serves, principally the Idaho outfitter and guide industry.

In order to prepare for the upcoming late June meeting of the IOGLB, the IOGA would like to hear from its outfitter members and non-members on specific topics. This new May survey was recently sent out to outfitters and is focused on different topics from the April survey. In case you missed the initial distribution of the recent May survey, it is not too late to provide input. Click on this link……. IOGLB Survey Link

The May survey focuses on topics such as:

·                     The future of bonding

·                     Fire emergency procedures for 2008

·                     Process for verifying guide training

·                     Revision and simplication of buy/sell process

·                     Future IOGLB priorities for enforcement and education

·                     Clarification of 2007 Guidance letter on 3^rd party agreements, booking agents and associated employment issues

·                     Accuracy of IOGLB information on licensed activities including mapping.

April 2008 IOGA Survey Results. The April 2008 IOGA Survey was an outgrowth of some concerns that IOGA members had been voicing to the IOGA leadership both formally and anecdotally for some time regarding IOGLB (Licensing Board) matters. President Alison Steen and Executive Director Grant Simonds were joined by IOGA Government Affairs Committee members Chris Swersey and Louise Stark in presenting some industry concerns to the IOGLB this past February 14^th. This was not an easy meeting, but a necessary one.

We appreciate that 105 outfitters and/or guides responded to the April survey and are especially appreciative of the 51 respondents who provided their contact information to discuss IOGLB issues further. Due to this overwhelming response, we will be slowly working our way through the list and we hope this opportunity to comment anonymously through IOGA about Licensing Board concerns will be a way for all to share their information and experiences.  

Regarding the April survey question, “How would you rate communication with IOGLB personnel whether it be in person, phone, email and/or snail mail, 63 % of survey respondents rated communication with the IOGLB staff as “consistently and/or sometimes courteous, helpful and knowledgeable”, 39 % indicated that “communication depends on the subject matter”, nearly 20% checked “I am concerned there may be repercussions for disagreeing with IOGLB personnel” and another 12 % expressed that it is “hard to get an answer due to high turnover in personnel”.

In this day and age of pre-dominant outfitter business ownership by the baby boomer generation, 67 % of survey respondents indicated that they “anticipate buying or selling an existing outfitting business in the next five years”. Some IOGA members have expressed concern that the buy/sell process needs improvement from the agency side. Regarding concerns expressed by some related to the agency amendment process, some 71 % indicated that either plan or possibly plan to amend their outfitter and/or guide licenses during the next five years. Regarding the survey question on the support or lack of support for a potential increase in licensing fees, 14 % answered “yes, depending on the amount being proposed”, 37 % said “maybe, need more information”, and 48 % answered “no”. Again, we appreciate outfitter and guide input on the April survey and urge you to chime in on the May survey.

Governor Appoints Outfitter Chris Korell to IOGLB. Governor Butch Otter recently appointed outfitter Chris Korell to the Licensing Board. Chris began his career as a licensed guide in 1989 and has been a licensed outfitter since 1994. Korell Outfitters is a family business licensed for deer, elk, bear, cougar, bobcat, bighorn sheep, goat, fishing and trail rides. They operate in the Payette River country which includes Idaho Fish and Game units 33, 35 and 39.

 

According to state law, the IOGA sends the Governor two qualified names of outfitters and/or guides for IOGLB outfitter positions. This past February, the IOGA sent the Governor the names of Chris Korell and Scott Farr. Korell becomes one of the three outfitters on the IOGLB joining Tom Long and Will Judge. The other two members of the IOGLB are Marc Gibb, Idaho Fish and Game Commission representative, and Wayne Hunsucker, the public representative.  

 

IOGA would like to thank Scott Farr for his recent service on the IOGLB. Among his many accomplishments as an IOGLB member, Scott has been instrumental in revising the Allocation manual, which should be finalized soon. Board member Will Judge joined Scott in this monumental project. The final product should be available soon on the IOGLB website. An allocation manual session featuring specific changes will highlight the IOGA Hunt Section meeting in December. Scott began guiding in Idaho in 1963 and became a partner in the outfitting business in 1964. He has been a land based outfitter and guide in many outfitter areas of operation of what is now the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness as well as the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. He also outfitted for six years in British Columbia, Canada. He and spouse Shelda recently sold Wilderness Outfitters. They continue as managers and designated agents for the Middle Fork Lodge, where their family is involved in all aspects of lodge activities including outfitted trips for summer recreation, fishing and hunting. 

 

Grant Simonds, Executive Director

Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association

P.O. Box 95

Boise, ID 83701

208.342.1438; 208.343.9548 home office

cell 208.867.2138

fax 208.338.7830; 208.344.8194 home office

www.ioga.org