Hunting is a popular pastime in Idaho. It’s just not as popular as it used to be. What does that mean for Idaho? Less revenue for outdoors programs. Hunting license and tag sales have slowly declined over the past several years, according to data from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. “Fishing licenses have stayed relatively steady as far as the numbers of licenses sold,” regional conservation officer Gary Hompland said. “Most of that, from what we can tell, is because we’ve had some really good salmon and steelhead runs the last few years. … What is really disconcerting is our hunting licenses, both resident and non-resident. “When those sales start to slump, all of our programs that function primarily on a budget related to those sales are affected”/Andrew Weeks, Twin Falls Times-News. More here. (2009 AP file photo: First wolf killed in Idaho after resumption of wolf hunting)

Question: Do you hunt?

LaFawn Sutton, 12, bagged this record-book whitetail buck in velvet during the September early bowhunting season near her Mount Spokane area home.

HUNTING — Idaho is joining the bandwagon of states allowing potential new hunters accompanied by a mentor to try the sport before they pass a state-certified hunter education course.

On Tuesday, Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter signed into law House Bill 85, making Idaho the 31st state to pass Families Afield legislation since the programs inception in 2004.

Montana is the only state in the Northwest that has not adopted Families Afield legislation.

This allows the Fish and Game Commission to establish a program under which newcomers could try hunting under the watchful eye of an experienced mentor prior to the completion of a hunter education course. Rich Landers, Outdoors Blog

Good idea/Bad idea?

A slight decrease in Panhandle Region moose permits is proposed for 2011, but hunters will could get the spice of two new mountain goat hunts. These and other 2011 Idaho trophy big-game hunting proposals have been released for public comment through Jan. 14.

While moose tags will be increased in a few Panhandle units, they'll be reduced in others according to the proposals for a total of three fewer bull moose tags and five fewer antlerless moose tags, said Jim Hayden, Idaho Fish and Game Department regional wildlife manager.  Rich Landers/SR

Really? My first thought when I read this blog post was, They don't shoot mountain goats do they? But apparently they do.

Do you enjoy hunting?

A handheld shooting computer aides calculations for different calibers, loads and ranges for long-range targets.

Dave Powers has a foot firmly planted at opposite ends of the hunting spectrum. He’s an accomplished archery hunter who has taken several trophy animals after calling or stalking the animals to close range.

But the gunsmith who lives near Orofino, Idaho, also counts himself among a growing number of hunters taking animals with custom-made rifles at distances of 1,000 yards and beyond.

Does this seem very sporting to you?

A barista in training perhaps?

You won’t find too many necklace holders like the one Josee Bassett has in her room.

It’s the antlers of the buck she shot not far from her Coeur d’Alene home.

“She’s got to accessorize,” her dad, Paige Bassett, said with a laugh.

Josee shot the 4-by-4 whitetail buck last month, the second day of hunting season. It was also just two days after her 12th birthday — when she was officially old enough for a hunting permit. Full story.

When I was 12 I discovered lip gloss and boys. My father would have probably preferred I took up hunting.

Cabbage Boy on May 28 at 10:47 a.m.

“Sad thing is there are many kids who probably have learned their “history” from Disney. No need for revisionist history when you have entertainment history already indoctrinated.”

Bent on May 28 at 11:21 a.m.

“I know, CB. Bambi ruined a lot of potential hunters, too. Bad people (not just white).”

History. Hunting. Has Disney ruined anything else?

Item: Can Idaho F&G land fee hikes in a recession? The agency wants hunters and anglers to pay more, but plan faces tough time in Legislature/Idaho Statesman

More Info: Hunting a big buck could cost you more bucks next fall, and the price of a salmon or steelhead permit could jump like a fish up a waterfall. While other state agencies are trimming their budgets because of lean state revenues, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is swimming against the tide by seeking a $6.9 million increase in hunting and fishing fees. But unlike other agencies, Fish and Game receives no state general funds, and it has not had a fee increase since 2005.

Question (from Idaho Statesman): Are you willing to pay more in fishing and hunting fees during a recession to cover game management costs?