IOGA NEWS & UPDATES
November/December 2020
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Annual Meeting & Conference Update
As noted in September, we will not be hosting an In-Person Annual Meeting & Conference this year, due to COVID-19 considerations and restrictions, and based on Member feedback to the Survey we sent out this past summer.
IOGA will, however, be organizing virtual "Section Sessions" (Raft, Fish, Hunt, Rec) as well as virtual meetings for updates from and discussions with agency partners. Stay tuned for those dates and links.
We will also be making the Winter Board meeting accessible virtually to our members (with that link to follow in a 'members only' email). If you would like time on the Agenda, please let us know in advance.
We recognize that not having an in person conference and tradeshow means that our many business Associate members and their clients will miss the opportunity to meet, finalize orders, socialize, etc. Frankly, it is difficult to replace this element of our meetings in a meaningful, worthwhile way, especially without undue expense.
If you are a Business Associate, or individual supporter, and have an idea for virtual outreach, engagement, connection that IOGA could help support or facilitate, please don't hesitate to get in touch and let us know (whether that's sharing a video/advertorial update, sharing calendars through IOGA communications for setting up meetings, or something more creative…).
THAW Fundraiser UPDATE
Again, as communicated in the September Update, We have similarly decided to shift the in-person THAW Dinner and Fundraiser to a virtual event/platform.
UPDATE: The Virtual THAW action and Fundraiser will take place Late March, 2021, with promotion and bidding opening in advance.
SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING YOU!
The THAW is an important source of IOGA annual operating revenue, and we are optimistic that with the donations and support from you, our members, we can make this virtual auction successful.
A number of you have reached out since our September Update with Trip, Experience, or Merchandise/Equipment donations. Thank you!
If you are an outfitter member, please consider supporting the association (while reducing your dues) by donating a trip/trips or services. If you are one of our many associate members, consider donating merchandise, equipment, services—or general sponsorship.
We understand that in the current circumstances an appeal for donations is not the thing you like finding in your inbox. We get that.
Those of you who are ready and able to support IOGA, thank you. We've been working hard for our industry in Idaho, and succeeding despite the challenges.
This is one of the parts where we need you, to support IOGA's capacity to continue defending and advocating for your businesses and the vitality of the industry going forward
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Board Subcommittee Still Accepting Applications for the Executive Assistant Position with IOGA.
It's been a heck of a year—marked both by strong support and advocacy by the Association, as well as unprecedented and profound challenges to the industry. But we're still here, as an industry, and frankly, as strong as an association and industry as we have been in many years.
IOGA has been working hard for all of you, our members, and we thank you for your ongoing support. We would not be here without you.
But with all of the new and ongoing challenges our industry faces, and all of the plans we have and work we’ve done, we want to ensure we do not lose speed or want for the capacity to better serve you all.
To that end, we are looking to bring somebody new on to support our work, our association, and our members.
Please think about your past and present guides, and other folks in the industry who might be strong applicants for the position and encourage them to apply!
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Midway through this month, Governor Brad Little announced that he has signed an executive order that moves Idaho back to a “modified” Stage 2 of the “Idaho Rebounds” plan and that he has mobilized the Idaho National Guard to assist in healthcare workers respond to the pandemic.
Under the new statewide Stage 2 public health order:
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Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited (both indoor and outdoor). This does not pertain to religious or political expression. Physical distancing is required for all gatherings. If exemptions were negotiated with local health districts prior to Nov. 14, those exemptions will continue to be honored
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At-risk Idahoans should self-isolate.
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All Idahoans are encouraged to telework whenever possible and feasible with business operations.
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Masks continue to be required at long-term care facilities.
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Bars, nightclubs, and restaurants continue to operate with seating only.
The governor stopped short of issuing a statewide mask mandate. He reiterated that more than half of the population of Idaho is under a mask mandate that has been implemented by local units of government.
Governor Little was explicit in stating that “Idaho’s economy is not on lock down.” Businesses in Idaho will remain open, but are instructed to follow the protocols set forth in the Idaho Rebounds Plan (including those guidelines for Outfitters
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The Idaho Outfitters & Guides Licensing Board (IOGLB) Winter Board Meeting is set to take place this coming December 2, 2020.
[See below for link to Agenda PDF]
This is a public meeting. Seating capacity is limited due to the social distancing protocols implemented during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The public is encouraged to attend via Zoom or telephonically with the information provided below:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8516311299?pwd=Zm8rMkxKMHNJYTRKaEE4SEpKNzc1UT09
Meeting ID: 851 631 1299
Passcode: 198468
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,8516311299#,,,,,,0#,,198468# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,8516311299#,,,,,,0#,,198468# US (Houston)
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
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+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 851 631 1299
Passcode: 198468
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kUGiXPU65
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Fish News, Updates, Opinion
Final Public Meeting of the Gov's Salmon Recovery Workgroup
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FINAL Public Comment will be taken on the December 2, from 9:15am - 10:15am MST.
The Full Meeting of the Workgroup will be held all day on Dec 2.
- December 2: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM MST
- Salmon Workgroup Location: Video meeting
- Teleconference line: (346) 248-7799, Meeting ID: 94050394847
- Videoconference line: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/94050394847
*The Governor’s Salmon Workgroup also accepts written comments and all written comments will be distributed to the full Workgroup. If you would like to provide comment but cannot join the virtual meeting via Zoom, you can provide written comment by email, submitted to species@osc.idaho.gov, using this form.
It is critical that outfitters, guides and members of rural communities make our voices heard on this issue, in this forum—and to the credit of our industry and communities, your voices and perspectives have been more strong and consistent than any other single community in this forum.
I am honored and humbled by the passion, as well as the respect and consideration, of the comment offered to this Workgroup by outfitters and guides and thank all of you for the forthrightness, strength and integrity with which you have spoken to your interest, values and beliefs. Such is often lacking in this issue.
Your arguments have been informed and fact based; your demands neither conciliatory nor insensitive to those they might impact, if heard and implemented; your perspectives have not ended at the proverbial 'property line' of your own business or industry, but have spoken to community, tradition, identity, culture and broader economy.
Again, I am honored to represent such admirable people as comprise our outfitting and guiding community, and in this forum or others, will continue to fight for you and to live up to the quality of your examples and character.
If you are able, in this last public opportunity in this forum, please take 3 minutes to address the workgroup as a whole.
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Hunt News, Updates, Opinion
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CRITICAL INFO FOR HUNT OUTFITTERS FIRST:
This morning, the Fish and Game Department sent out a Newsletter, which among other things, presented a novel feature in the online tag/license process: the 'waiting room.'
This bullet reads, "For highly sought-after tags where sellouts are expected within minutes (like the Sawtooth Elk Zone tags), nonresident hunters should log on about 15 minutes in advance. Everyone logged on in advance will be put into a “waiting room” and randomly selected to make a purchase, so there is no benefit to logging in well in advance of the sale."
We followed up with Fish and Game staff in an effort to gain more clarity on this 'waiting room' and what it will mean for outfitters attempting to purchase tags for their outfitted clients online come December 1. Below is a summary Informational outline provided by IDFG:
From IDFG:
(IOGA NOTE: IDFG notes to please be sure to note the “advice” bullets at the bottom.)
~At 9:45 am MT December 1st, all current logged in customers for “GoOutdoorsIdaho” will be kicked out of the sales site and placed into a virtual “waiting room”. Those users will see a screen saying that they are in line and the sale will start at 10 am.
~Customers who log in between 9:45 and 9:59 am MT will join those users who are already in the waiting room.
~At 10 am MT, the system will “randomize” all customers in the waiting room, and place them in order. (This is done so that there is no advantage to logging in extremely early in the system.)
~The first 300 or so customers will be allowed to enter the site, and choose products to purchase. Brandt will be monitoring the system’s performance, and if favorable, the count of customers allowed in to purchase items will be incrementally increased.
~Customers who “login” to the site AFTER 10 am will go to the back of the line, in order of their login.
~Customers who select items and have it in their cart will maintain possession of that tag/item for a set period of time. Those customers must “check out” and pay for that item before the timer expires. THIS IS NEW - the customers holds the “tag” until checkout, until the timer expires. This is similar to how concert tickets/ or sport game tickets are sold.
ADVICE:
For those outfitters who have already sold hunts for 2021, it is recommended to:
~Bring the outfitter form/customer information to the regional office on Monday, November 30 so that a profile can be set up in GoOutdoorsIdaho PRIOR to the sale. This will prevent time lost entering demographics for a hunter instead of issuing a tag. (IOGA NOTE: Many of you have hopefully already created said profiles. Nevertheless, it could not hurt to confirm those have set up completely and correctly beforehand. PLEASE BE KIND TO THE PERSON ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT COUNTER; THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF YOUR FRUSTRATION, WARRANTED THOUGH IT MAY BE.)
~The issue with attempting to go online and purchasing all outfitter tags online is that while it is possible for the outfitter to log in “as the customer” using their information, there is no option to “toggle” to another customer. Meaning, if an outfitter logs in as John Doe to get the elk and deer tag, there is no option to switch to Jane Smith and stay in the system. Once items are purchased, the only option is to either purchase more items for John Doe, or log out. Logging out and logging in as Jane Doe will put the customer at the back of the line. (IOGA NOTE: Along the lines of what we have already suggested, having multiple computers with multiple respective operators may be key to your success in purchasing the tags you need.)
~Some regions are reserving one terminal for Outfitter transactions. I recommend contacting the region to see what they can accommodate on Monday, to be prepared for December 1st.
Here is the introductory 'blurb' relating to the above from the referenced Fish and Game Newsletter:
Reminder: General-season nonresident deer and elk tags go on sale Dec. 1, including Sawtooth Capped Elk Zone tags
Nonresident hunters should be aware of numerous changes to nonresident deer and elk tags for 2021 before tags go on sale at 10 a.m. Mountain Standard Time on Dec. 1. Nonresident tags in popular areas are expected to sell out quickly, and hunters are encouraged to purchase early. Tags go on sale at 10:00 am Mountain Time.
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Review Again: The Issue in Sum.
The Fish and Game Commission adopted a set of recommendations from Department staff last week to limit non-resident participation in all general elk and deer hunts without caps. This limit on non-resident participation in these general hunts triggers the establishment of allocation for elk and deer tags to outfitter operations in those zones/units for use by the outfitted public.
This Commission decision will provide for the largest allocation of elk and deer tags for use by the outfitted hunter in Idaho history. All remaining elk zones, including A and B tags, and each deer unit across the state will have a non-resident limitation and therefore allocation in every outfitted area.
Click the Link [Button] Below to: Review the Hunt Member Allocation Information Email; watch the recording of the Allocation Zoom Meeting #1 Recording, and; get the information for the MEMBER ONLY Allocation Zoom meeting #2, scheduled for November 30
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F&G license buyers encouraged to update their accounts before buying licenses/tags
Some customers may need to call customer service before a purchase can be made!
With Fish and Game's new license system, some customers' accounts may require assistance to allow them to buy licenses and tags. Customers are encouraged to check online and update their profile information prior to making a purchase.
If your account shows that you need to contact customer service, call (800) 554-8685 to ensure you can make a purchase, especially hunters who plan to buy time-sensitive hunting tags that sell out quickly.
Customers can login with key, personal information and are no longer required to remember a username and password.
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Preview the New IOGA Hunt Idaho Promo Video
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IOGA Hunt Idaho TM 30-Second Promo Video
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Road Construction Updates - Nov. 2020
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ID-55 Construction Update
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Crews have completed the first season of work on ID-55 between Smiths Ferry and Rainbow Bridge. Both travel lanes will be open for the winter months. Full road closures and construction will resume in spring 2021.
Visit itdprojects.org/ID55smithsferry for more information, or call (833) 913-ID55 to speak to a project representative.
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US-95 Update - Repairs Complete
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Long-term repairs to the US-95 slide south of Riggins are complete. The failing slope above milepost 188 has disrupted traffic on the state’s primary north-south route since it first fell July 3 and then again on July 10.
“With the changes we’ve made, we have greatly reduced the likelihood of another slide blocking US-95 again in the area,” Materials Engineer Janet Zarate said.
The unstable rock mass above the highway has been reduced through multiple rounds of blasting and scaling, and the remaining slope has been reinforced with cable netting bolted into the rock.
Last week crews reconstructed US-95 and repaved Old Pollock Road. The temporary signals that have been used to direct traffic since August 5 were also removed.
“Drivers may notice that the highway had to be shifted to provide room for a larger ditch,” Zarate said.
Within the coming weeks, crews will finish installing guardrail and add fencing on top of it to keep any future loose rock confined to the ditch.
“It’s been a hard push to get to this point, with more than twenty-five other companies involved,” Zarate said. “We appreciate the support given to us by residents and local officials over these last few months.”
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Is Your Membership Current FY2021?
Thank you to all of you who have already renewed your FY2021 Membership with IOGA, and to all of you who recently joined.
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