Idaho is requesting input via a "Controlled Hunt Drawing Survey." This survey is basically asking for input on a bonus point system of some kind for Idaho. You can find and complete the survey on-line at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/surveys/ch/ch_survey.cfm

IDAHO FISH AND GAME
HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE
Boise, ID

Date: November 21, 2005
Contact: Ed Mitchell
(208) 334-3700

Hunters to comment on bonus point choices

Meeting November 16-18 in Jerome, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission decided to offer hunters another opportunity to pick among bonus point alternatives.

Bonus point systems are used in some states as one way to alleviate hunters' criticisms of purely random selection in controlled hunt drawings. Details of the points systems vary widely but are intended to weight the selection process so that applicants who have entered drawings multiple times without being drawn may have an increased chance of success.

The Commission has discussed establishing a points system for nearly a year and the department has conducted surveys of Idaho hunter opinion. Brad Compton, state big game research manager, presented results of the surveys and told the Commission that results were fairly evenly split. He summarized the results as a tendency to favor the idea of a points system but "not a lot of willingness to pay for it."

The costs of keeping drawing records on Idaho hunters and administering a bonus points system are estimated at about $6 per application, which would be charged in addition to the present $6.25 application fee.

Compton suggested the Commission consider a staff idea that entails automatically giving unsuccessful applicants two chances in the next drawing for the same species. The plan would affect deer, elk, antelope and moose hunts. Successful applicants would have to wait two years before applying again instead of the current one year, a move that would reduce the pool of applicants. This method would cost the department little and would result in no additional fee.

Compton also showed that the method used in Nevada hunt drawings sometimes works the way hunters expect but does not in other instances, especially in highly-prized hunts with small numbers of tags available. The Nevada "squares" the chances for unsuccessful applicants in each successive drawing.

The Commission voted four to three to consider the approach suggested by Compton when it meets in January. No final vote could be taken in this meeting because it had not been placed on the public agenda as an action item.

Commissioners revisited the matter on the last day of the meeting and decided to ask hunters to choose between three alternatives: leave the Idaho system as it is, approve the staff suggestion, or move to a new system similar to Nevada's.

The Commission asked the department's wildlife bureau to devise a survey of hunters that will produce results before the January meeting.

IDAHO FISH AND GAME
HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE
Boise, ID

Date: December 19, 2005
Contact: Ed Mitchell
(208) 334-3700

Hunters split on bonus points

Hunters are divided on the random drawing process for controlled hunts- some like it, some don't.

A survey conducted by Fish and Game this fall showed mixed results that were close to being evenly split on satisfaction with the drawing process, but most agree that future drawings should favor unsuccessful applicants.

The Commission has considered adopting a bonus point system as a way to do that.

Many responders?61 percent?liked the idea of a bonus point system that would give increasing advantage to those who applied but didn't draw a permit in previous years. But many?about 58 percent of those surveyed?don't like the idea of raising the application fees to pay for the bonus point system.

Few liked the idea of hunters being able to buy bonus points without applying for a controlled hunt. About half objected to a voluntary bonus point system under which only those who paid the higher application fee would receive the bonus points.

Still, 39 percent said they would participate, 35 percent said they wouldn't and 26 percent weren't sure.

Hunters were equally divided on other proposals to improve the odds of drawing a permit by reducing the number of applicants.

Commissioners expect to make a decision on the bonus point system in January.