Proposed Fish & Game Rule Struggles In Idaho Legislature

A pending rule from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game regarding advanced hunting technology appears to be temporarily stalled as legislative committees decide how they want to move forward.

Earlier this month, the state Senate Resources and Environment Committee and the state House Resources and Conservation Committee both heard Fish and Game’s rule focused on the use of advance technology when hunting.  The rule would prohibit the use of smart optics when attached to a weapon or incorporated into a scope, with limited exceptions for scopes with battery-powered or tritium-illuminated reticles, as well as devices approved through a reasonable modification permit.

Fish and Game says from August 30 through December 31, the rule would also prohibit the use of the following technologies: 

• Thermal imaging technology for scouting, hunting, or retrieval
• Night vision technology for scouting, hunting, or retrieval
• Aircraft, including unmanned aircraft systems (drones), for scouting or hunting
• Transmitting trail cameras used for hunting or scouting on land owned by federal, state, or local governments 

Fish and Game said this rule would only apply to big game hunting.  And that’s where lawmakers took issue.

"Wolves are classified as big game under Idaho law," noted Dexton Lake with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation.  "Originally, the rule applied only to big game ungulates. Shortly before the rule was finalized by the Fish and Game Commission, the language was changed to include all big game species, including wolves. That change raised concerns for the Idaho Farm Bureau because several of the technologies restricted by the rule are useful tools for controlling wolf populations. Although the restrictions would apply to wolves for a shorter window from August 30th through November 14th, effective wolf management often depends on flexibility and the ability to use modern technology.” 

Lake added there are also legal questions about the proposed rule.

“Administrative rules cannot conflict with state law, yet Idaho statute states that all methods of take are authorized for the management of wolves.”

Lake said if neither committee votes on the proposed rule, it won’t take effect.

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