Idaho Fish and Game commissioners on Thursday postponed a decision to offer big-game tags for auction until their March 9-11 meeting in Boise to allow more time for the public to comment on the proposal.

"Commissioners voted to postpone action because we want more time to visit with sportsmen and better understand how they feel about auction tags before a decision is made. This follows long-standing commission process," said Commission Chairman Mark Doerr of Twin Falls.
The commission also unanimously opposed a Senate bill that would mandate the commission to offer more big-game tags for auction.

"Senate Bill 1236 is printed and available to the public for review. If SB1236 passes, a March vote by the commission on auction tags could be pre-empted," Doerr said.

The Idaho Legislature in 2012 gave authority for the commission to auction up to 12 "Governor's Wildlife Partnership" big-game tags, which could include three each for deer, elk and pronghorn and one each for bighorn sheep, moose and mountain goat.

Since that legislation passed, the commission has not offered any tags for auction except a bighorn sheep tag that it has auctioned annually since 1988. That tag sold for $90,000 in January.

Based on a recent, random, mail survey of hunters that showed 54 percent agreed with auctioning tags to raise money for wildlife management and sportsmen access, and 51 percent agreed with offering more big-game tags for auction, commissioners asked the department to prepare a proposal that included five new auction tags. The proposal included one each for elk, mule deer, mountain goat, pronghorn and moose.

The commission on Thursday discussed the proposal and the additional written comment received about it, and commissioners will likely decide in March. Of the written comments received to date about the proposal to auction five more tags, about 75 percent were opposed.

People can continue to comment on the proposed auction tags at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov and click on the "Public Involvement" tab on the right side of the home page. (Direct link: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/public-involvement).

Senate Bill 1236, which would mandate the annual issuance of all 12 "Governor's Wildlife Partnership" tags, has been introduced in the Senate Resources and Environment Committee. People can comment on the bill by contacting their legislators.

People can see other legislation pertaining to Fish and Game on the department's website by going to the "About Us" tab and clicking "Legislative Information and Updates" (direct link: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/legislative-updates).

Contact:
Roger Phillips
Public information specialist
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
208-287-2882
Roger.Phillips@idfg.idaho.gov