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The Idaho Department of Fish and Game

The Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) is the state department responsible for the preservation and management of Idaho’s wildlife, including mammals, fish, birds, and invertebrates. The department aims to “preserve, protect, perpetrate and manage” Idaho’s cherished wildlife resource. It is committed to serving Idaho’s hunters, trappers and fishers with best experiences possible, while recognizing those endangered, threatened, delisted and candidate species, as listed by the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Service, under the Endangered Species Act. Created in 1983, The Idaho Fish and Game has been endlessly revised year after year to best manage the state’s fish and wildlife, by means of providing services to the people, while maintaining its wildlife heritage. “

Agency Overview

Formed:1899

Headquarters: 600 S. Walnut, Boise, ID 83712

Employment: 7 Regional Commissioners, 104 Conservation Officers, countless volunteers

Annual Budget: $5.1 million

Parent Agency: Executive Branch Agencies, State Environmental Agencies/ US EPA

Website

http://fishgame.idaho.gov

Email

idfginfo@idfg.idaho.gov

Contents 1. History 2. Management 3. The Compass 4. Idaho Fish and Game Commission 5. Education 6. See also 7. References 8. External Links

History

In 1964 the First Idaho Territorial Legislature passed the first game laws establishing the hunting seasons for big game to run from February to March. However, at this time no real enforcement was established. It wasn’t until 1899, 9 years after Idaho had been admitted to the Union as the 43rd state, that the Fifth State Legislature officially established the Fish and Game Legislature for Idaho. The Department was managed under the control of the State Game Warden and deputy wardens elected to each county in Idaho, with the exception of Ada, Custer and Shoshone Counties. The Department budget started at $1,500, $1,200 of which was for salary. In addition, deputies would be paid half of each conviction they made personally. Since 1899, The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has had a long history and seen incredible improvement and modifications. Listed bellow are only a few of the most critical turning points for the Department.

1903: License fees were established at one dollar for resident males (women did not have to have a license), nonresidents were $5.

1907: First fish hatchery built at Hayspur.

1915: Elk transplanted to Idaho from Yellowstone Park.

1921: Women required to buy hunting and fishing license. Bear listed as a game animal in north Idaho.

1938: Idaho's first successful voter initiative passes creating the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and establishing Commission Districts. Merit system for hiring competent professional employees inaugurated by commission. Conservation officers begin to wear a uniform, the "gray and green" (shirts and pants). Policies governing all phases of operation are compiled and published for the first time. Airplanes first used to do big game surveys. Public education program begins with a book, Wildlife of Idaho, distributed throughout the school system of the state.

1950: State divided into game management units.

1970: First catch-and-release trout season set on Kelly Creek.

1975: Department becomes an executive department of state government.

1977: Department policy plan published outlining goals and objectives through 1995. Policies governing all phases of operation are compiled and published for the first time.

1980: Department reorganized into seven bureaus. Hunter education for hunters born after January 1, 1975 becomes mandatory.

1986: Fish and Game Trust Account established to accept donations. Lifetime license program begins.

1988: Public opinion surveys initiated to guide the department's formulation of new 15-year policy and 5-year species plans. Regional and State Wildlife Councils as :::mechanisms to channel public input to the Fish and Game Commission and department.

1990: Idaho Fish and Game Commission expanded by the legislature to six commissioners. The sixth commissioner represents the Magic Valley area.

1993:The first comprehensive database on wetlands, the Idaho Wetlands Inventory System, was completed.

1995: New Point of Sale Machines (POS'M) implemented for all license, tag and permit sales

1996: The Legislature enlarged the Commission to seven members, including the new Commission District of Salmon. Fish and Game Internet website begins.

1997: Nancy Hadley Hanson of Sandpoint became the first female member of the Fish and Game Commission. A new law provided for stiffer penalties for "flagrant violations" of wildlife laws.

1998: A system of 28 elk hunting zones was established, requiring hunters to choose a single hunting area and decide between an "A" and "B" tag defining season dates and weapons. Deer and elk tags fees were increased by $6. Mandatory hunter harvest reports were required from all deer, elk, and antelope hunters.

2000: Rodney Sando, previously director of the Minnesota department, was hired as director after a nationwide search. Fee increases for most licenses and tags were approved by the legislature to add about $4.4 million to the department budget.

2002: Long-time program leader Steve Huffaker was named director to replace Rod Sando.

2003: A program aimed at providing access for hunting and fishing on private lands and through private lands to public land previously blocked was established. Even with limited funding, new access to some 107,000 acres of private land was granted and more than 200,000 acres of public land made accessible.

Management

Idaho is pieced together by 7 different regions: Panhandle Region. Clearwater Region, Southwest Region, Magic Valley Region, Southeast Region, Upper Snake Region and the Salmon Region. Within each of these regions the land is further subdivided into Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). These smaller pieces of land, averaging around 314 acres, are provided for hunting, fishing and public enjoyment. Additionally, each dedicated to a primary use, such as big game, waterfowl, fishing and general public use.

REGION :WMAs

Panhandle Region: Boundary Creek, McArthur Lake, Pend Oreille, Farrugut, Coeur d’ Alene, St. Maries, Snow Peak

Clearwater Region: Craig Mountain

Southwest Region: Red River, Cecil D. Andrus, Rocking M (C.E.), Payette River, Montour, Fort Boise, Roswell Marsh, Boise River, C.J. Strike

Magic Valley Region: Camas Prairie/Centennial Marsh, Carey Lake, Billingsley Creek, Hagerman, Niagara Springs, Big Cottonwood

Southeast Region: Sterling, Portneuf, Blackfoot River, Georgetown Summit, Montpelier

Upper Snake Region: Tex Creek, Market Lake, Sand Creek, Cartier Slough, Mud Lake, Gem State, Deer Parks

Salmon Region: none

The Compass

On January 20, 2005 the Fish and Game Commission approved of The Compass, a strategic plan, to help guide the department for the next 15 years there after. The Compass was created by and for the public, hoping to manage fish and game in the state of Idaho in the best and most agreeable way possible, for all those involved. Goals of the plan:

Clearly convey the Department’s management

goals and how they will be achieved.

Assist the Fish and Game Commission in

developing policies, priorities, and direction.

Provide overall direction to Department staff in

developing and implementing fish and wildlife programs.

Assist others in developing plans and

implementing programs that are compatible with fish and wildlife conservation and management.

Encourage a cooperative approach in addressing

fish and wildlife issues in Idaho.

While The Compass was created as a 15 year plan, year to year, “Direction Documents” guide the department and the public based upon these larger goals. The Direction Documents lay out the goals and plans for the year ahead, but also look back, evaluating past years progress towards reaching the long-term goals of The Compass. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has a vision for the future, a vision that can come true from the goals, objectives and strategies of its long-standing plan, The Compass. Designed as a “comprehensive management plan,” the compass links together every part of the department, functioning as one effective system that with much trial and error will ultimately succeed.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission

Formed: 1983

Purpose: establish regulations and other needed controls on fishing, hunting, trapping and management of wildlife in line with the state's wildlife policy; approve department budgets for submission to the legislature; hold public hearings and make decisions on the management of the state's wildlife. Responsible for administering the Fish and Game State policy as stated in the state code section 36-103.

Elected: Commissioners are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Idaho State Senate. They must be a long-standing resident of the region and show knowledge in the area.

Term: 4 years

7 different Commissioners for each region

Tony McDermott-Panhandle Region
Fred Trevey-Clearwater Region
Bob Barowsky- Southwest Region
Wayne Wright- Magic Valley Region
Randy Budge- Southeast Region
Cameron Wheeler- Upper Snake Region
Gary Power- Salmon Region

Education

The Idaho Fish and Game has created and implemented several education programs throughout the state of Idaho. Programs have been designed to educate hunters, bow hunters, fishers and all ages of the general public with the goal of building respect for wildlife and the environment.

Most programs are targeted at the youth, using schools, K-12, as effective educational channels. Such youth programs and events include:

Project Wild
Aquatic Education
Wildlife Express
Salmon and Steelhead Days

References

1. fishandgame.idaho.gov [[1]]