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Additional Resources • IDFG-IOGLB MOU Memorandum of Understanding between the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. 6/30/2008 BOISE – At the June meeting of the Idaho Outfitters and Guide Licensing Board (IOGLB) the Board got an earful of reasons not to allow outfitting for turkey hunting on public land. More than a dozen sportsmen and representatives from several sportsmen’s organizations including the Idaho Chapters of the NWTF, restated the same concerns that have been expressed each time the IOGLB has floated the issue – six times in the last 11 years. The resounding message was no different than the last attempts to allow commercial outfitting on public land – “it will diminish the public’s ability for access and opportunity.” Several members who spoke in opposition felt the outfitters were just out to commercially capitalize on a resource founded and built by the NWTF, IDFG and the general sporting public – with very little support or help over the years from the outfitters or their organizations. “With the exception of Mr. Peterson, I can tell you the total effective contribution of the guides and outfitters to the 40 plus years of wild turkey efforts here in Idaho – zero,” stated Barnabus Koka, NWTF Regional Program Coordinator. Joseph Peterson of the Flying B Ranch is the only current applicant for guided turkey hunting on public land. He currently operates guided turkey hunts on his privately owned property. Koka praised Peterson as a major contributor to NWTF efforts through donations. Others reiterated similar sentiment of building the turkey population to its present success only to have less opportunity and competition from an industry that tries to make money off the sweat and dollars of thousands of sportsmen.The IOGLB has expressed an interest in expanding outfitter opportunities and is looking at turkeys, upland birds, and waterfowl as potential venues for that expansion. The current general proposal of turkey hunting on public land would only involve current big game outfitters who are permitted on public land and would be allowed to guide turkeys on that same area. The IDFG has presented a letter to the IOGLB opposing the proposed outfitting for turkey, waterfowl and other upland game sighting the same reasons previously argued in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006. Input from the public, IDFG staff and the IDFG Commission “clearly states opposition to the expansion (of existing guiding on private, outfitter owned land to include private leased land and public land) and believes the input gathered in 2000 is still representative today.” IDFG scoping at that time involved 3,300 hunters form a pool of turkey tag buyers and 75 percent supported the current IDFG recommendation. Overall loss of access to turkey hunting grounds was sited as the number one concern among respondents. A memo from Jeff Gould, IDFG Wildlife Game Manager, states that between 2001 and 2006 tag sales increased from 21,233 to 31,089 – a 46 percent increase – while harvest increased just 23% and has been level since 2003. IDFG sited several examples of increased pressure on the current turkey populations which have peaked over the past several years. The number of turkey hunters and harvest success has climbed steadily over the past few years but overall turkey populations have not. In some areas they are seeing a decline, and now IDFG has an even greater concern for hunter access. The Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association (IOGA) is an organization of about half of all outfitters and guides licensed in Idaho. Grant Simmons, director of IOGA, said that the outfitters do serve the public at large, in particular the portion of the public “too busy to go out and scout and locate” turkeys and who prefer to use the service of a professional guiding service. Simmons continued, “Let’s face it, for some it is just about another notch on their belt, and they want to come to Idaho to shoot a turkey and put another notch on their belt.” Simmons also stated that the “need for guided turkey hunting is greater than reported. “We, (at the IOGA offices) are getting more calls every year.” But the numbers don’t show great need. A total of five outfitters guided 60 turkey hunters between 2002 and 2007 with an 84 percent success ratio. The last check of the IOGLB web site while researching for this article showed no turkey outfitters available. No other person spoke in support of the proposal. Contrary to previous information given to WIN during an interview with IOGLB Director Jake Howard just two weeks prior, IOGLB Chairman Wayne Hunsucker stated that, at present there was “very little demand” and few inquiries to the IOGLB office for guided turkey hunts. Additionally, required records of past turkey guiding activities and success results were distributed to the Board members for review. Director Howard told WIN in the prior interview that no such records existed and none were kept despite a MOU in 2000 between the IOGLB and IDFG requiring the records. When copies of the records and other public documents and information were requested by WIN, Chairman Hunsucker and IOGLB attorney Roger Hales said all requests will require a public records request. The IOGLB pressed that there must be a win-win solution to this problem. Chairman Hunsucker stated that this hearing will not be the end of this matter and that it was just the start of the dialog for a solution. He also stated that the board had always intended, and will seek, additional public comments, again contrary to what Director Howard stated just a few weeks prior. No time table or public meeting proposal was offered but the board agreed upon the need for a working group of sorts and more public scoping by the IOGLB. |
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