As many as 75 people have applied to become the new director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, easing fears that nobody wanted the politically sensitive job.

“That’s more along the lines of what I expected,” said Jeff Siddoway, Fish and Game Commissioner from the Upper Snake River Valley. “I think this shows it is still a sought-after job.”

Applications were accepted through Friday to succeed Jerry Conley, who left last month to become director of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

It initially appeared that few people wanted Conley’s job.

Only five people had applied by Oct. 21, prompting some Fish and Game employees to say people were avoiding the job because they did not want to work for the commission dominated by appointees of Republican Gov. Phil Batt.

“They don’t want any part of the atmosphere that pervades Fish and Game right now,” one agency employee said at the time.

Siddoway said the late run of applicants showed that attitude was not as widespread as some believed.

“I think people realize this is an up-front commission,” he said. “All of the commissioners are going to lay their cards on the table face up. I think any time a question comes up there will be some quick and decisive answers. And I think that type of commission will be really effective in the future.”

Dick Hutchison, director of the Idaho Personnel Commission, was surprised by the late applications - more than 40 in the past week alone.

“In the end, we had adequate recruitment on it. It turned out really nice. I’m quite happy with it.”

The Idaho Personnel Commission will sort through the applicants and forward the best 50 to the Fish and Game Commission. No deadline has been set for filling the position, which will pay up to $102,300.