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IDFG seeking comment on WMA future
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July 26, 2012 |
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking
public comments and opinions to help chart the
future of the state's 32 wildlife management
areas.
"We invite the public to help us identify WMA
management issues, so we can better evaluate
management priorities and develop WMA plans that
reflect those priorities," Fish and game
regional habitat manager Jim White said.
The last time the Fish and Game went through
this updating process was 10 years ago. During
the same time period, Idaho's population has
increased by 21 percent. This change has
resulted in an increase of visitors to Fish and
Game lands. Along with an increase in public
use, there has also been an increase in the
types of public use activities and the demand
for additional recreational opportunities.
Concurrently, during the past decade Fish and
Game has experienced a decrease in the sales of
hunting and fishing licenses, especially
non-resident hunting tag sales. Idaho Fish and
Game does not receive general tax dollars, it is
funded primarily through the sale of licenses,
tags and permits and matching federal funds.
This has negatively impacted budgets and the
ability of Fish and Game to fund all of its
budgetary needs, including maintenance,
operational and capital needs on the WMAs.
There are 32 wildlife management areas across
Idaho. Some are managed for waterfowl
production, others for big game winter range.
And some are managed to provide hunting
opportunity, with a few of those in Southern
Idaho stocked with pheasants during hunting
season to enhance hunter success. The
overarching goals are to provide wildlife
habitat and to offer public recreation.
The Clearwater Region has two wildlife
management areas: Red River and Craig Mountain.
The acquisition of lands associated with Craig
Mountain WMA began in 1971. By the early 1990's,
about 20,000 acres had been purchased, mostly
along the Snake River, south of Lewiston. In
1992, the Bonneville Power Administration
purchased the 60,000-acre Howard Ranch as
mitigation for the loss of wildlife and habitats
from the flooding of Dworshak Reservoir.
Red River WMA was purchased in 1993 as critical
habitat for elk calving and Chinook spawning.
Located 15 miles of Elk City, this area
encompasses 314 acres.
Comments can be submitted online by visiting the
Fish and Game website at
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov; go to Wildlife Management Areas under the
Wildlife tab. |
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