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Senate panel approves hunter-education and spearfishing rules, holds game-zone and federal-authority rule
Summary
The committee approved a temporary hunter-education rule requiring an online identification test and approved a spearfishing rule; it held a pending rule that would redraw several game-management zones and add language about federal authority over state personnel.
The Senate Resources and Environment Committee approved two Fish and Game rule dockets and held a third for further review.
Amber Worthington, deputy director for programs and policy at the Department of Fish and Game, presented three rule dockets. The committee approved rule docket 13234001, a temporary and pending rule requiring an online test for hunters intended to reduce mistaken identity between black bears and grizzly bears. Worthington told the committee the test is available via companion state tests in Montana and Washington or through a new Idaho online test; she said the study and test-taking process took about 13 minutes in total for the user and noted she personally completed the test in roughly four minutes.
Senator Guthrie asked whether there is a pass/fail rate; Worthington said the test requires an 80% passing score and, because users may retake the test until they pass, there is no recorded overall pass-fail rate. When senators asked about consequences if a hunter mistakenly shoots a grizzly bear after taking the test, Worthington said enforcement and penalties are handled by enforcement personnel and she would provide follow-up information.
Senator Cole moved to approve docket 13234001; Senator Cook seconded. The committee approved the rule on a voice vote; one senator recorded a nay.
The committee held docket 1301072401, which proposes changes to four game-management zones (Owyhee, Boise River, Big Desert and Snake River) and would revise zone boundaries — for example, moving Unit 38 from the Owyhee zone to the Boise River zone and moving Units 53 and 68 from the Snake River zone to the Big Desert zone. The pending rule also adds language reaffirming the state's policy position that federal authorities may not commandeer Idaho personnel or resources to enforce federal wildlife laws; senators questioned whether that language belonged in rule or statute. Senator Van Orden moved to hold the docket at the call of the chair; the motion carried.
Finally, the committee approved docket 1301112401, a negotiated-rulemaking result that defines spearfishing (clarifying underwater spear use versus above-water spears) and clarifies that unprotected fish may be taken by the identified methods when there is an open season and as the commission provides by proclamation. Senator Guthrie (or the senator recorded in the motion block) moved to approve the docket and Senator Harris seconded; the committee approved the rule by voice vote.
Why it matters: the education rule aims to reduce accidental grizzly-bear shootings by improving hunter identification skills; zone boundary changes could shift how the department manages elk and other big game in affected units; the spearfishing rule clarifies allowable gear and methods for underwater fishing enthusiasts.
Next steps: approved temporary and pending rules move forward according to administrative procedure; the held docket will return to the committee after the chair schedules it and after staff follow-up on senators’ questions about statutory authority and placement of the proposed language.
