Here goes idaho

[idahohuntr]

https://idfg.idaho.gov/article/fg-seeking-members-working-group-assess-perspectives-fair-technology-big-game-hunting

Related - IDFG is looking at technology.  They note 3 tools for ensuring over harvest doesn't occur: Equipment restrictions, season timing and length, and number of tags.

Idaho won't be going to draw for Residents general deer/elk any time soon - if ever.  It would never be tolerated - so I think they will tackle harvest and crowding via the tools noted above.  Also note, Idaho, like Montana, often manages for opportunity.  While many of us might prefer more limited tags and more older age class animals - I think Idaho will generally be fine with crowded general units full of people harvesting fork-horns and rag horns.  I also suspect if talk of more restrictions to residents does move forward, you can be assured that whatever NR tags exist now will be cut significantly.

56% of idfg revenue is from non resident sales. The 12,815 non resident elk tags has been at that quota for at least 30 years . Let’s say they cut that in half. In just 3-5 years that many “ new residents “ would have filled that. The 12k tags is a drop in the bucket compared to the license residents

I don't disagree - but its the politics...there will HAVE to be accompanying NR cuts to take anything from R's.  If there is a single WA license plate observed anywhere in Idaho from Aug-December...the R's will cry foul! 

I agree with huntnnw, I'm willing to bet the NR quota isn't cut. Additionally I have not heard of any talk of reducing NR numbers within IDFG. There are certainly resident hunters who would like to shut out NR, thats nothing out of the norm, NR get the blame in every state, but I doubt its going to happen any time soon in Idaho unless it happened legislatively with a big increase in resident fees, and I don't see that happening any time soon either!

Commissioners have recently discussed concerns about R's not getting higher demand OTC elk tags in the popular zones and lamenting the numbers going to NRs for those same zones.  I don't think there will be a change to R or NR tag quotas or allocation in the near term.  My only point...IF IDFG ever pursues something to reduce R opportunity, it will 1000% be accompanied by cuts to NRs.  As you note, its not unique to Idaho...every state does it...just simple politics.  Commissioners are also very aware of NR prices in other states, and some have the perception NR fees are way too low in Idaho given the demand they are seeing.  I think at least two commissioners definitely see a path to cut NR quota and maintain revenue.  But again, I don't see any changes happening imminently, except NR price increases...that's probably fairly likely given the pace of NR tag sales.

[bearpaw]

https://idfg.idaho.gov/article/fg-seeking-members-working-group-assess-perspectives-fair-technology-big-game-hunting

Related - IDFG is looking at technology.  They note 3 tools for ensuring over harvest doesn't occur: Equipment restrictions, season timing and length, and number of tags.

Idaho won't be going to draw for Residents general deer/elk any time soon - if ever.  It would never be tolerated - so I think they will tackle harvest and crowding via the tools noted above.  Also note, Idaho, like Montana, often manages for opportunity.  While many of us might prefer more limited tags and more older age class animals - I think Idaho will generally be fine with crowded general units full of people harvesting fork-horns and rag horns.  I also suspect if talk of more restrictions to residents does move forward, you can be assured that whatever NR tags exist now will be cut significantly.

56% of idfg revenue is from non resident sales. The 12,815 non resident elk tags has been at that quota for at least 30 years . Let’s say they cut that in half. In just 3-5 years that many “ new residents “ would have filled that. The 12k tags is a drop in the bucket compared to the license residents

I don't disagree - but its the politics...there will HAVE to be accompanying NR cuts to take anything from R's.  If there is a single WA license plate observed anywhere in Idaho from Aug-December...the R's will cry foul! 

I agree with huntnnw, I'm willing to bet the NR quota isn't cut. Additionally I have not heard of any talk of reducing NR numbers within IDFG. There are certainly resident hunters who would like to shut out NR, thats nothing out of the norm, NR get the blame in every state, but I doubt its going to happen any time soon in Idaho unless it happened legislatively with a big increase in resident fees, and I don't see that happening any time soon either!

Commissioners have recently discussed concerns about R's not getting higher demand OTC elk tags in the popular zones and lamenting the numbers going to NRs for those same zones.  I don't think there will be a change to R or NR tag quotas or allocation in the near term.  My only point...IF IDFG ever pursues something to reduce R opportunity, it will 1000% be accompanied by cuts to NRs.  As you note, its not unique to Idaho...every state does it...just simple politics.  Commissioners are also very aware of NR prices in other states, and some have the perception NR fees are way too low in Idaho given the demand they are seeing.  I think at least two commissioners definitely see a path to cut NR quota and maintain revenue.  But again, I don't see any changes happening imminently, except NR price increases...that's probably fairly likely given the pace of NR tag sales.

I've also heard there is some concern and talk of reducing the NR percentage of tags in controlled hunts but I don't know how much traction that has, I think that would have to be done legislatively. I think residents are already getting 85% or 90% of controlled tags so there's not a lot to gain by taking away from NR.

[Karl Blanchard]

Residents get 90% up to 100% of controlled hunt tags. NR are capped UP TO 10%.

[huntnnw]

I don’t see them cutting controlled allocation as residents can technically draw 100% of the tags. They don’t do a separate NR draw and have the allocated tags set aside. I’ve seen lots of units where NR don’t draw a tag some years.