Hunt Outfitter Update

Submit Comment on 2021-2022 Big Game Season by Feb. 25th

The easiest way for outfitters to review proposals and weigh in will be visiting the big game proposals webpage at idfg.idaho.gov/big-game. The proposals are posted by region and separated by species within each region.

Region 1&2 Meeting (13 outfitters attended)
Region 3&7 Meeting (17 outfitters attended)
Region 4,5,6 Meeting (12 outfitters attended)

Outfitter perspective takeaways: 
- Lack of elk in some areas
- Lack of deer in some areas
- Trapping wolves with guests
- Wolf overlap agreements 
- New non-resident deer hunts: difficult to be restricted to one unit (suggested that deer units should be grouped into larger zones, like elk. Or allow outfitted guests to hunt anywhere within outfitter's operating area).
- Region 7: too many super tags. 
- Unit 20A: Nov. 1-18th hunt, tags are unlimited. (Should become a limited hunt)
- Unit 26: Should be managed identically to unit 27 (which is a first choice only hunt).
 

Allocation Update

Newly capped elk zones (except McCall) have been designated. Notifications are being sent out now to inform outfitters on the number of designated allocated elk tags in operating area. 

Click here for the status of 2021 new hunts from IOGLB

03. New Hunt Allocated Tag Designation. ​When the IFGC initially allocates tags for a ​new capped or controlled hunt, allocated tags will be designated for that hunt proportionately as follows: (10-1-20)T

1. Divide each outfitting operation’s base allocation by the total of all base allocations in the hunt, resulting in a percentage of total use. Truncate the decimal at the hundredths place. (10-1-20)T

2. Multiply the percentage of total use from IDAPA 24.35.01.057.03.a. by the total number of allocated tags for the hunt, which determines the number of allocated tags designated to the outfitting operation. (10-1-20)T

06. Rounding. If allocated tag designation results in a partial tag, the calculation will be rounded up when a decimal equals or exceeds six tenths (.6) and rounded down when a decimal is less than six tenths (.6). When calculating the reduction to the designation of allocated tags pursuant to Section 36-2120(4), Idaho Code, the calculation will be rounded up when a decimal equals or exceeds five tenths (.5) and rounded down when a decimal is less than five tenths (.5). (10-1-20)T

07. Tie-breaker. If after applying IDAPA 24.35.01.057.03-06 there is a surplus or deficit of allocated tags to be designated, the unrounded proportion, with as many decimal places as necessary, will be used as follows: (10-1-20)T

1. A surplus allocated tag will be designated to the outfitting operation whose unrounded proportion is the greatest. In the event there is more than one outfitting operation with the same unrounded proportion, the undesignated tag will be designated based on a random drawing between those outfitting operations. (10-1-20)T

2. A deficit will be resolved from the outfitting operation whose unrounded proportion is closest to six tenths (.6). If there is more than one (1) outfitting operation with the same unrounded proportion, a random drawing will be held between those outfitters. (10-1-20)T

10. Objection to Calculation. If an outfitting operation believes the calculation is incorrect it may object by filing a petition with the Board within fourteen (14) days from the date the notification was sent and in accordance with the Idaho administrative procedures act. The petition will include any supporting information or documentation. (10-1-20)T

1. All outfitting operations in the hunt in question will be notified of the petition. (10-1-20)T

2. The outfitting operation bears the burden of establishing that the calculation was incorrect. (10-1-20)T

What about outfitted allocated tags for controlled hunts or previously capped zones? For controlled hunts and previously capped elk zones, the F&G Commission will decide the number of allocated tags at its March 17/18, 2021 meeting. Those tags should become available at the end of April.

How do I access the allocated tags when they are available? ​You will be notified by IOGLB how many tags have been designated to your operation. Once the appeal process is completed, IOGLB will transmit the number of allocated tags in each hunt to F&G to be put under your Outfitter number at the F&G Regional office. You must have a signed outfitter certification form to purchase an allocated tag. You have until July 16, 2021 to utilize these allocated tags. After that they are put in a pool of tags available to any other outfitter in the same hunt until July 31,2021 after which they are returned to the F&G for sale to nonresidents.
Click here for the F&G Idaho Outfitter Certification Form 

How should I manage my allocated tags? ​When you finally know how many allocated tags are available for your operation, you should manage them for your best benefit.

• Always use all of your allocated tags!

• If you have hunters who have ​already purchased​ tags, you have options.

  • First, ​use your allocated tags for your hunters ​who need them.
  • If you have allocated tags left over, think about ​transferring them to outfitters in the same zone or unit who need them for their hunters. Here is the rule that explains how that works:
    • Transfers – The original outfitter may transfer a designated allocated tag(s) to another outfitting operation for use that year in the same hunt and still retain credit for the tag. (10-1-20)T
    • This allows you to retain credit for the historical use for the next recalculation in 2023.
  • You can also exchange the tags your hunters purchased for your allocated tags at your local Regional F&G office prior to the season opening. This action returns the nonresident tag to the nonresident pool of tags for that hunt.

My hunters purchased their own tags. What should I do about those tags? ​
If you have used all your allocated tags and still have hunters with their ​own tags​, you have two options. With the tags in ​your possession,​ you can take the tags ​prior to season opening to the Regional F&G office to ​exchange them for OUTFITTED TAGS for $5 each. This records the tag under your outfitter number as outfitted hunter use. If you don’t see the tags until hunting season, then you can have the hunter fill out and sign the Hunter Agreement Form (yet to be developed) and turn that form in at the F&G Regional office to be ​recorded under your outfitter number ​for $20 each ​by Dec 20th.

How do I record my outfitted hunters' elk and deer tag use in the 2021 season?
Remember that the F&G Department will start ​recording outfitted tag use in the 2021 season. ​This will be the record used for ​future allocation of nonresident elk and deer tags. This is accomplished by ​purchasing your allocated tags, ​exchanging ​nonresident hunter tags for allocated tags prior to opening of season, and ​recording resident and nonresident hunter tags with the Outfitted Hunter Agreement Form all at your Regional F&G office.

I didn’t get enough tags purchased for my hunters to meet my number of hunters using my services this season. HELP! How can I find more tags for this year? There are six ways to increase the number of tags for your hunters.

1. Purchase nonresident tags for your hunters out of the nonresident pool of tags on Dec.1 in an amount to cover your growth or lack of allocated tags.

2. Market to and take resident hunters. They count as historic outfitted hunters for the next recalculation in 2023.

3. Ask the outfitters in your unit or zone if they have extra tags they can transfer to you. You are all on the same team, talk with each other.

4. Monitor the F&G site for returned nonresident tags that could go on sale for your unit or zone. ​Any returned nonresident tags will be available on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, typically starting in April.

5. Apply for surrendered tags though IOGLB starting in April.

6. Apply for tags in your unit or zone in the pool of tags not used by July 16 through IOGLB.

How do I attend every F&G meeting, IOGLB meeting, keep track of Forest Service, BLM and IDL changes and deal with the changing world while being an outfitter? Join and support IOGA. It’s the only organization that advocates for your business every day. Their objective is to help you be successful. Read your email. Attend the meetings. Be involved with the other outfitters in your organization. Realize that IOGA’s job is to keep you informed in an ever changing world. Your job is to stay involved so you can stay ahead and your business can thrive.