Idaho Cuts More Deer Hunts

Idaho Cuts More Deer Hunts

By Rodger Holscher

On March 20, 2024 the Idaho Fish and Game Commission held a special meeting to discuss pressing wildlife issues. One of the biggest issues they were scheduled to discuss was the Big Game Season Adjustments for 2024.  

Although not common, Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) have the authority to adjust seasons when they deem necessary. This usually comes as a result of disease, fire and in this case, severe winter. Although we have had a fairly mild winter, the winter of 2022-2023 was a different story. 

Winter 2022-2023 marked way above average snowfall for most if not all of Idaho. The southeastern portion of Idaho was hit especially hard with that winter. The winter mortality for deer and pronghorn was well above average. Hunting season for 2023 in that region was also marked with reduced hunter success. The public along with hunters have also voiced their concerns for the hammered deer and pronghorn herds.

With this knowledge, IDFG is proposing to make some big adjustments to the tags in that area. The affected area would be the Southeast Region and parts of the Upper Snake Region. Within these regions, IDFG is looking to modify or even eliminate hunts for mule deer does and pronghorn. A summary of the changes are as follows:

• Change deer hunts 1070, 1357, 1083, 1098, 1377, 1099, 1378, 1100, and 1379 to antlered only for the 2024 hunting season.
• Change deer hunts 1140 and 1399 to white-tailed deer only for the 2024 season.
• Close deer hunts 1064, 1351, 1116, 1141, and 1400 for the 2024 hunting season.
• Close pronghorn hunts 4022, 4321, 4025, 4324, 4027, 4326, 4028, 4327, 4043, 4332, 4052, and 4341 for the 2024 season.  

This follows some similar restrictions that took place for the 2023 season. Savvy outdoorsmen know that to recover a population, it takes several years of aggressive management. It’s no surprise that IDFG is attempting to make more aggressive changes following this winter. Although the meeting was held today, the results are not out yet at the time of this writing. Once I receive updated information, I will follow up with you.  

Keep your eyes open for more on this topic if you plan to hunt in Idaho for 2024 and beyond. 

Christian Schauf – “Life is not a dress rehearsal!” | Eastmans’ Journal Podcast Edition

https://youtu.be/G9qs8hpKWI0?si=6lmx6r5waKNijmVu

In the latest episode of the Eastmans’ Journal Podcast, Ike had the pleasure of interviewing Christian Schauf, a former singer/songwriter, entrepreneur, and a kind-hearted person. The conversation went deep into Christian’s experience performing for the military overseas and how he helped veterans disconnect from the trauma of war. They then discussed how Christian established companies that help people, including Uncharted Supply Co. He recognized the need for people to prepare themselves for emergency situations and jumped in to lend a hand. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.