IDFG: Agree with Jeff Abrams

Jeff Abrams, guest opinion April 6, 2025

Jeff I agree. 1) Most of Idaho’s non game species are important. 2) Idaho’s wildlife belongs to all of us.

The math is also correct. 95% of the IDFG budget is funded by sportsmen, via fees and taxes.

Bird watchers don’t pay. IDFG locations are free to all but ONLY fishers, hunters and trappers pay the bills.

Put your money where your mouth is. Take action. Purchase a license and tags. Pay tax on your gear.

Kill as many gray squirrel, nutria, eurasian dove, northern pike, wild hog, starling, rock pigeon, bullfrog, brook trout, round goby... as you can.

All endanger native species. How about the northern pikeminnow (formally squawfish). It is native. Do you want it protected?

What will you do for critters like the coyote and raven, let alone the wolverine or American pika? Study them, invade and harass them?

They neither want nor need your “help.”

I can read between the lines, a “bigger Pie” “a bigger seat at the table.”

You want the Idaho taxpayer to foot the bill for your pet projects.

When it comes down to IDFG properties/access. If you are not a licensed sportsman you are a freeloader.

MICHAEL JAMES WEAVER

Coeur d’Alene