This is why legislators should not be involved in Fish and Game matters.

[Customweld]

https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/H0196.pdf

On Friday, February 7, a new bill was introduced into the Idaho Legislature which would enact a five-year moratorium on the hunting of mule deer does across much of Idaho. Hunting units impacted include 19, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 52A, 53, 54, 55, 56, and 57.

This legislation crosses a line in our system of wildlife management, setting seasons and overriding the science-based wildlife management system on which our hunting and fishing traditions are based. Season setting is a complicated process that should be managed by Idaho Fish and Game and the Fish and Game Commission - not by elected officials who are subject to political considerations.

The legislation cites reduced populations, low survival rates, and reduced hunter success as the motivation behind the legislation, but provides no detail around these considerations. Biological factors such as these are monitored by biologists and are considered by the Commission, including sportsmen input, during the existing season setting process.

Science-based wildlife management is a central tenant of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. The Idaho Wildlife Federation helped to lead the Citizen’s Initiative of 1938 that created an independent Fish and Game Commission, overwhelmingly supported by Idahoans, in order to ensure that science - rather than politics - would be the guiding light of wildlife management practices. This bill would set us on a slippery slope that would endanger that legacy.

Mule deer doe hunting is already prohibited or largely restricted to youth hunts during general hunting seasons in the impacted units, though more units are open to doe hunting during archery seasons.
Edited to add attachment.

 

[flyfisher117]

If population is so bad why are they proposing adding more tags, including doe tags, in more than a couple of those units?

 

[Idagnome]

Could you post name of bill or where we can look it up?

 

[Customweld]

Could you post name of bill or where we can look it up?

HB 196.

 

[Bubblehide]

If population is so bad why are they proposing adding more tags, including doe tags, in more than a couple of those units?

More tags does not necessarily mean an increase in harvest.

 

[flyfisher117]

More tags does not necessarily mean an increase in harvest.

No but more tags would be the exact opposite of the moratorium. Why is there such a disconnect between the science and the law makers?

 

[magnum]

Write to your representatives! Be courteous but direct. Let them know what you think about this.

 

[Customweld]

If population is so bad why are they proposing adding more tags, including doe tags, in more than a couple of those units?

No but more tags would be the exact opposite of the moratorium. Why is there such a disconnect between the science and the law makers?

Because they listen to the Fudd’s screaming at them. Spend any time in the Idaho FB hunting pages and it doesn’t take long to see the disconnect.

 

[Bubblehide]

No but more tags would be the exact opposite of the moratorium. Why is there such a disconnect between the science and the law makers?

Because the idiot sociopaths elected only care about themselves. You gotta ask, who the @*%% is voting for them.

 

[Customweld]

This will have an effect on crop depredation, which will cost more money in pay outs to ranchers. Then Idaho Farm Bureau will start bitching to legislators about there being too many deer in the ag areas and how the ranchers need to be able to sale tags so they can recoup some cost of feeding the problem that they helped create.

 

[IDVortex]

So in the end, it's to help their buddies the ranchers/farmers make a extra buck.... or to have more hunting opportunities for all of their Utah Mormon buddies.

No judgement here at all.

 

[Customweld]

So in the end, it's to help their buddies the ranchers/farmers make a extra buck.... or to have more hunting opportunities for all of their Utah Mormon buddies.

No judgement here at all.

I don’t think it’s starting out that way, but a lot of those units have extensive ag ground. We all know where that increase in does are going to be concentrated.
There is a time to eliminate or severely limit antlerless harvest, but let the biologists ( you know the professionals) decide that.

 

[dallen]

Because they listen to the Fudd’s screaming at them. Spend any time in the Idaho FB hunting pages and it doesn’t take long to see the disconnect.

Because the idiot sociopaths elected only care about themselves. You gotta ask, who the @*%% is voting for them.

Follow most legislation and you’ll find two motivations………reelection and $$$.They dance with the one that brung em. Politicians should not be managing wildlife populations….or money….

 

[flyfisher117]

Because they listen to the Fudd’s screaming at them. Spend any time in the Idaho FB hunting pages and it doesn’t take long to see the disconnect.

I have to mute and stay out of the idaho hunting groups.. I get triggered into cyber bullying every damn time I go in them during season.

 

[IdahoBeav]

. . . let the biologists ( you know the professionals) decide that.

They are professionals. They are paid by a state government department that openly admits they manage for hunter opportunity as a priority over herd size and buck age class.

Politics and slippery slopes aside, what is the danger of a mule deer doe hunting moratorium?

 

[IdahoBeav]

Mule deer doe hunting is already prohibited or largely restricted to youth hunts during general hunting seasons in the impacted units, though more units are open to doe hunting during archery season.

Just about every unit is open for antlerless general archery. Unit 39 is open for muzzleloader antlerless on the general tag. There is also a 2,000 tag LE either sex tag valid for 39 and 43. Units 44 and 45 each have a 250 tag antlerless LE hunt. Unit 44 has a 150 tag LE antlerless youth hunt. Youths can wack does in 39 and 43 on the general tag.

There is more. This is just what I can list from the top of my head.

They kill a shitload of does in Idaho.

 

[Customweld]

Just about every unit is open for antlerless general archery. Unit 39 is open for muzzleloader antlerless on the general tag. There is also a 2,000 tag LE either sex tag valid for 39 and 43. Units 44 and 45 each have a 250 tag antlerless LE hunt. Unit 44 has a 150 tag LE antlerless youth hunt. Youths can wack does in 39 and 43 on the general tag.

There is more. This is just what I can list from the top of my head.

They kill a shitload of does in Idaho.

I’m not against stopping antlerless hunts on a scientific basis. Pushing it through legislation is the same as ballot box biology. Every year the legislature introduces dumb bills, last year it was shoot a wolf and get a moose, goat or sheep tag. They also got lighted nocks through last year. They tried to strip muzzleloader restrictions last year and already have it in the works again this year.
Again let me reiterate, I’m not against closing antlerless hunts. I am against the legislature forcing it.

 

[Andrew12gauge]

Where they lose me is throwing in 38 and 53, 2 largely private, predominantly agricultural or urban units that both have short range weapons only seasons and deer herds that are generally problematic to control. If they had left those 2 units out this bill would make sense maybe, but at the same time we just keep building on the winter ranges in the other units and it’s only a matter of time until a big winter comes along and kills all the does we might save through this legislation and more


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[Andrew12gauge]

I’m also curious why or how unit 19 got coat tailed into this bill? You could draw a perimeter around all of the other units and there are no other units inside the perimeter excluded or outside of the perimeter included in the bill except unit 19 so how did that one get thrown into the mix?


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[NRA4LIFE]

Nor should voters. WA has been a disaster with both. Hound hunting and bating for cougar and bear, most traps, spring bear, all gone. To name a few.