Game fee gets a warm reception

COEUR d'ALENE — A legislative proposal to create a new $5 charge to buy an annual adult resident hunting, fishing or trapping license in Idaho is on target with reducing depredation and increasing access.

That's the reception from most hunters and anglers based on meetings held throughout the region, said Chip Corsi, Idaho Department of Fish and Game regional supervisor.

"We haven't heard any opposition, but a lot of positive feedback," Corsi said following a breakfast meeting attended by about 30 sportsmen at the Lake City Center on Tuesday.

The meeting was the third IDFG has held in North Idaho on the proposal. Others were held in St. Maries and Sandpoint.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission last week directed Fish and Game staff to create the bill.

"It's on fast track to be considered before the end of the legislative session," said Brad Corkill, North Idaho's member on the commission and chairman of the board. "Depredation damage down south is many times greater than it is up here. It's a big issue to farmers down there."

This winter has posed challenges to wildlife managers. Despite IDFG's efforts to feed and haze big game away from property, farmers are experiencing crop losses that affect their livelihoods.

"We have a legal obligation under Idaho code to address depredation problems," said Wayne Wakkinen, IDFG's regional wildlife manager.

Fish and Game does not receive any state general tax dollars. Funding for the department is generated through license and tag sales and excise taxes.

The proposed fee structure would include $2 for youth and seniors, $10 for non-resident adults and $4 for non-resident juniors and seniors.

The proposed fee would be paid prior to purchasing an annual license.

"It would be like anteing up in a poker game," Corsi said.

Revenue from the proposed fee would be used for:

• Providing additional money to compensate landowners for depredation damages (crop damages caused by wildlife);

• Creating more resources for preventing big game depredations; and

• Increasing funding for more hunting and fishing access.

The fee would generate an estimated $2 million annually.

An estimated $500,000 of the funds would be used to compensate for crop damages caused by wildlife up to $1.5 million annually, based on available cash balance. Another $500,000 would be used to prevent crop damage from big game herds. About $1 million would improve access to private land from willing landowners for hunting and fishing.

"To me, it's money well-spent," said Ed Vieth, a hunter from Hayden. "My passion is spending time in the woods and this would place the money toward something I support. It enables more opportunities for everybody, and the charge is not outrageous."

Jim Sanders, a hunter from Coeur d'Alene, agrees.

"For what we have in Idaho, this fee is reasonable and it matches what other states are doing," Sanders said.

Fish and Game’s depredation compensation law has been in effect for nearly 30 years. Corsi said the proposed new fee is in response to legislators' desire to address depredation problems.

Corkill said the commission recognizes managing for abundant big game herds comes with responsibility to address impacts those herds cause to privately owned farms and ranches.

The bill does not change Fish and Game’s price lock revenue proposal under consideration at the Legislature.

That proposal involves a 20 percent fee increase (between $1 and $6) to most daily/annual resident licenses, but allows resident license buyers to avoid the increase as long as they purchase an annual license each year beginning this year.

The price lock applies to tags also. As long as you continue to purchase an annual license every year, your tags and permits would be locked in at 2017 prices.

Proponents believe if more hunters, anglers and trappers consistently buy annual licenses, IDFG should have enough revenue to overcome inflation without a resident fee increase that applies to all. No other state wildlife agency has tried such an approach.