Committee advances bill to create depredation appeals board for ranchers

The Idaho Senate Natural Resources Committee on Thursday moved Senate Bill 10‑12 to the Senate floor with a do‑pass recommendation after testimony from ranchers and agricultural groups about livestock losses attributed to wolves, grizzly bears, black bears and mountain lions.

Supporters said the bill creates a three‑member depredation appeals board to review Wildlife Services’ determinations about whether a carcass was killed by a protected predator, and to give producers an alternate path to state and federal depredation funding when Wildlife Services does not confirm a kill.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Burton Shaw, told the committee the board would provide producers an opportunity to appeal Wildlife Services’ findings and would include appointees representing agriculture, fish and game and a veterinarian. He said the board would review submitted documentary evidence; members could meet remotely and any hearing would be closed to protect producers’ location and…