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Idaho’s big game fodder for political deals

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission convened in Coeur d'Alene on May 17, 2016. (Rich Landers)
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission convened in Coeur d'Alene on May 17, 2016. (Rich Landers)

HUNTING -- This opinion piece is worth reading and considering in Idaho, where many elected officials use common sportsmen and wildlife professionals as whipping boys.

Idahoans need to stand up to governor on wildlife commission decision
Idaho Fish and Game Commission Chairman Mark Doerr of Kimberly and Vice Chairman Will Naillon of Challis declined to support a bill that would have allowed landowners, who get hunting tags in exchange for allowing public access to their lands, to sell those tags, and resisted the Legislature's desire to auction off big-game tags to non-residents.

In retaliation, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter informed them they would have to reapply for their positions on the commission rather than following the governor's usual path of reappointing them.

According to this opinion piece, if Idahoans are interested in keeping hunting and fishing rights for all, they need to tell the governor and their legislators not to give those rights away to wealthy landowners and highest bidders.



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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