02-22-2010, 01:03 AM
A couple of points to clarify. As it is currently proposed the Conservation Permit would only be required on designated IDFG managed lands like WMA's and if you have a hunting, fishing or trapping license then you would NOT need a Conservation Permit.
This is the position of the Idaho Conservation Officer's Association:
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[center]Conservation License Position Statement
The Idaho Conservation Officer’s Association (ICOA) supports the idea of a conservation license requirement for non-hunting, fishing, or trapping license holders who use Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) administered lands at no other cost. The IDFG enforcement program plays an integral role in the maintenance and operations of Department managed lands through public education and regulation compliance.
The IDFG enforcement program is currently almost entirely funded by hunter’s and fishermen’s license dollars. A conservation license requirement (for non-hunting, fishing or trapping license holders) would create the need for public education and enforcement that conservation officers will be asked to perform in addition to their current duties. Sportsmen’s dollars should go to benefit game and fish programs that benefit sportsmen. Utilizing a portion of conservation license revenue for the IDFG enforcement program will protect sportsmen’s dollars by ensuring that those people using the resource pay for this program’s education and enforcement.
The role of the conservation officer is widely supported by the non-sporting public in part, because conservation officers provide many services that non-hunters or fishermen benefit from. Unfunded services include: investigating damages on wildlife management areas or access points, responding to wildlife complaints or injured wildlife, removing dead wildlife, and enforcing nongame regulations. Non-sportsmen should participate in funding wildlife conservation enforcement.
As the Idaho population has increased so has the recreational use of wildlife management areas and requests for services from the non-hunting or fishing public. Yet, the number of conservation officers has remained relatively unchanged. The result is a reduced amount of time that conservation officers spend on protecting game species for hunters and fishermen who currently pay almost all the bills.
A conservation license would create a mechanism for the non-hunting or fishing public to financially support the lands, programs, and services that they currently use and will continue to request in the future.
[signature]
This is the position of the Idaho Conservation Officer's Association:
[center]
[center]Conservation License Position Statement
The Idaho Conservation Officer’s Association (ICOA) supports the idea of a conservation license requirement for non-hunting, fishing, or trapping license holders who use Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) administered lands at no other cost. The IDFG enforcement program plays an integral role in the maintenance and operations of Department managed lands through public education and regulation compliance.
The IDFG enforcement program is currently almost entirely funded by hunter’s and fishermen’s license dollars. A conservation license requirement (for non-hunting, fishing or trapping license holders) would create the need for public education and enforcement that conservation officers will be asked to perform in addition to their current duties. Sportsmen’s dollars should go to benefit game and fish programs that benefit sportsmen. Utilizing a portion of conservation license revenue for the IDFG enforcement program will protect sportsmen’s dollars by ensuring that those people using the resource pay for this program’s education and enforcement.
The role of the conservation officer is widely supported by the non-sporting public in part, because conservation officers provide many services that non-hunters or fishermen benefit from. Unfunded services include: investigating damages on wildlife management areas or access points, responding to wildlife complaints or injured wildlife, removing dead wildlife, and enforcing nongame regulations. Non-sportsmen should participate in funding wildlife conservation enforcement.
As the Idaho population has increased so has the recreational use of wildlife management areas and requests for services from the non-hunting or fishing public. Yet, the number of conservation officers has remained relatively unchanged. The result is a reduced amount of time that conservation officers spend on protecting game species for hunters and fishermen who currently pay almost all the bills.
A conservation license would create a mechanism for the non-hunting or fishing public to financially support the lands, programs, and services that they currently use and will continue to request in the future.
[signature]