Yesterday (10/16/08) I attended an Idaho State Senate Resources & Environment Committee hearing in which Idaho Deparment of Fish & Game (IDFG) Commissioners testified to the committee their concerns regarding various wildlife management issues throughout the state.

Before commencement of the hearing a representative of the governor’s office made rounds around the room reminding/inviting IDFG commissioners to attend a meeting at the Governor’s office to be held immediately following the committee hearing to discuss ‘matters of concern.’ Another secretative meeting ? Who knows, but it’s probably fair to assume that decisions concerning Idaho wildlife are being made behind closed doors.

~ Of Bighorn ~

An IDFG commissioner entertains a question from the committee concerning Hells Canyon bighorn and ‘how are we going to reverse that decision’ to make sure ranchers aren’t harmed. The commissioner answers : “I don’t know” … probably a good answer.

Of a state senator’s question asking the Commission what they plan to do about controversy around South Hills bighorn:

The Idaho Woolgrowers Association may go to the Idaho Legislature for a solution. And Tuesday the Cassia County Board of Commissioners voted to ask Otter to relocate bighorn sheep from the South Hills near Twin Falls because of conflicts with domestic sheep.

an IDFG commissioner answered that he is awaiting input from the Governor to make any decisions about what to do. The urgency surrounding these 15 sheep remaining in Big Cottonwood Creek in the Sawtooth National Forest’s Cassia Division follows Western Watersheds Project’s (WWP) cordial request that the Forest give bighorn more than the current space (less than a mile) from domestic sheep by amending the sheep operations’ operating instructions on federal public land to prevent the spread of deadly disease from domestic sheep to bighorn sheep. It appears that asking sheepman to consider the bighorn while grazing their sheep on the public dole has upset some state senators.
~ Of Sage Grouse ~

State senate committee members asked for assurances that the state efforts to avoid listing are not “going to be sidelined” regarding management of sage grouse following Judge Winmill’s decision. A commissioner assures the committee that IDFG intends to continue state efforts but will know more “within 90 days” : )

~ Of Murphy Complex ~

* IDFG Commissioner Wayne Wright begins testimony emotionally describing the economic impact that the Murphy Complex fires had on Idaho ranchers and how ranchers had personally shown him photos of burnt carcasses “with tears in their eyes”. Apparently, one sheepman described to Wright how he would not be able to graze as many sheep next season. It was “a tough deal for ranchers” on and on … Wright described how the IDFG recognizes that “ranchers have a lot of common sense ” and IDFG intends to “integrate ranchers into state rehab efforts” by using “rancher friendly” seed such as Siberian wheatgrass and other forages. Note: A lot of sage brush is being spread as well. Wright echoes a statement I previously witnessed during the Blaine Country wolf hearings this time in response to an implicit straw-man: “We are supposed to be managers” this time leaving Jesus out of it.

~ Of Wolves ~

* Last Friday the committee met to specifically discuss wolf issues.

At this meeting, for the first time publicly, an IDFG commissioner acknowledged the department’s consideration of using poison as a “tool” within the “Adaptive Management” guidelines of the state of Idaho’s Wolf Management Plan. Trapping and “aerial” (gunning – apparently they’re using just the one word ‘aerial’ to describe gunships slaughtering wolves) was emphasized as well. Surprisingly, the subject of hunting as an effective measure of control was not considered/brought up — perhaps in the previous meeting. Though poison is nowhere within the document to my knowledge, it was claimed to fall under “adaptive management” at this committee meeting and to my chagrin there was no follow up. Committee members, commissioners, and public in attendance didn’t bat an eye.

Committee Chairman Schroeder later made clear that he was personally committed to ensuring the state’s management of wolves to prevent federal management. In response to a concern about where the state would find the money to manage wolves, the chairman sternly announced “We’ll find the money” even if the 5 year monitoring money anticipated from the federal government is not secured.

Of strategy for wolf control, commissioner Gary Power from Salmon explained the dynamic history and variables contributing to low numbers of big game in the Lolo and Selway regions. Even so, the commissioners explained to the committee that Lolo is the state’s “best shot” at justifying state control of wolves under scientific pretenses.

As suggestive as I was, the governor’s representative was not compelled to invite me to the meeting at the Governor’s office following this committee meeting. Perhaps it was that I was the only person not wearing a suit ?