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Here are some questions and answers about the ATV proposed restrictions.
ID F&G's Proposal to Restrict Hunting from ATVs
Answers to the Most Commonly Asked Questions
The Idaho Department of Fish & Game is proposing to expand rules regulating the use of A TVs by hunters in a few selected units in southern Idaho. First adopted last year in Unit 47, these regulations are designed to address concerns expressed by many sportsmen. Concerns include: 1) hunts being disrupted by off-road travel, 2) habitat damage, 3) maintaining the "fair chase" aspects of hunting, 4) disturbance to wildlife, and 5) increased vulnerability of game and resulting low buck:doe or bull:cow ratios. The proposed regulation reads:
"Motorized vehicle use for hunting is restricted to established roadways open to motorized vehicle traffic capable of travel by full-sized automobiles. A full-sized automobile is defined as any motorized vehicle with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 1500 pounds. "
The proposed Units include: 32, 32A, 47,48,49,50,51, 58, 59, 59A, 70,73,72,75,77,78.
QUESTION: Will this regulation ban all use of
A TVs?
ANSWER: No, the proposed regulation only applies to the use of ATVs for the purpose of hunting. Other outdoor recreational activities (camping, sightseeing, berry-picking, etc.) will not be affected.
QUESTION: Will this regulation ban all use of ATVs during hunting season?
ANSWER: No, the proposed regulation will not ban all use of ATVs during hunting season. Hunters will still be able to use A TVs on established and open roads. The common practice of using A TVs on roads to save wear and tear on vehicles will be maintained.
QUESTION: Will hunters be able to use ATVs to retrieve downed game?
ANSWER: Yes, the proposed regulation will only apply to hunters actively hunting. Actively hunting is considered as chasing, driving, flushing, attracting, pursuing, seeking, following after or on the trail of, shooting at, stalking, or lying in wait for, any wildlife while in possession of a hunting weapon. Retrieval of game will be allowed under existing land management travel regulations. To reduce confusion among hunters, the Department recommends that no hunting weapons should be carried while retrieving game with the aid of an ATV. Additionally, the Department recommends that hunters, who wish to use ATVs to retrieve game, use them during mid-day to minimize potential disruptions to nearby hunters.
QUESTION: Will this regulation only apply to 4wheel A TVs?
ANSWER: No, the proposed regulation will apply to 3-wheel and 4-wheel A TVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, trucks, and all other forms of motorized vehicles used for the purpose of hunting.
QUESTION: Are the US Forest Service or Bureau of land Management the only agencies able to regulate use of A TVs?
ANSWER: No, the Idaho Fish & Game Commission acting under Idaho Statute 36-104 can regulate method of take for game animals. Specifically, the code states: "... then it [commission] shall make a rule or proclamation embodying its findings in respect to when, under what circumstances, in which localities, by what means, what sex, and in what amounts and numbers the wildlife of this state may be taken."
QUESTION: Do ATVs and other forms of motorized vehicles have an effect on hunting and wildlife management?
ANSWER: Yes, numerous studies in Idaho and around the nation have shown that increases in motorized access can lead to a number of problems including: 1) habitat damage and/or avoidance of habitats near motorized routes, 2) increased susceptibility to harvest which can lead to low buck:doe or bull:cow ratios, and 3) disturb or disrupt other hunters resulting in conflicts. Restricting motorized access can maintain hunting opportunity, healthy wildlife populations, and reduce conflicts between hunters without the need for more restrictive hunting regulations.
ID F&G's Proposal to Restrict Hunting from ATVs
Answers to the Most Commonly Asked Questions
The Idaho Department of Fish & Game is proposing to expand rules regulating the use of A TVs by hunters in a few selected units in southern Idaho. First adopted last year in Unit 47, these regulations are designed to address concerns expressed by many sportsmen. Concerns include: 1) hunts being disrupted by off-road travel, 2) habitat damage, 3) maintaining the "fair chase" aspects of hunting, 4) disturbance to wildlife, and 5) increased vulnerability of game and resulting low buck:doe or bull:cow ratios. The proposed regulation reads:
"Motorized vehicle use for hunting is restricted to established roadways open to motorized vehicle traffic capable of travel by full-sized automobiles. A full-sized automobile is defined as any motorized vehicle with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 1500 pounds. "
The proposed Units include: 32, 32A, 47,48,49,50,51, 58, 59, 59A, 70,73,72,75,77,78.
QUESTION: Will this regulation ban all use of
A TVs?
ANSWER: No, the proposed regulation only applies to the use of ATVs for the purpose of hunting. Other outdoor recreational activities (camping, sightseeing, berry-picking, etc.) will not be affected.
QUESTION: Will this regulation ban all use of ATVs during hunting season?
ANSWER: No, the proposed regulation will not ban all use of ATVs during hunting season. Hunters will still be able to use A TVs on established and open roads. The common practice of using A TVs on roads to save wear and tear on vehicles will be maintained.
QUESTION: Will hunters be able to use ATVs to retrieve downed game?
ANSWER: Yes, the proposed regulation will only apply to hunters actively hunting. Actively hunting is considered as chasing, driving, flushing, attracting, pursuing, seeking, following after or on the trail of, shooting at, stalking, or lying in wait for, any wildlife while in possession of a hunting weapon. Retrieval of game will be allowed under existing land management travel regulations. To reduce confusion among hunters, the Department recommends that no hunting weapons should be carried while retrieving game with the aid of an ATV. Additionally, the Department recommends that hunters, who wish to use ATVs to retrieve game, use them during mid-day to minimize potential disruptions to nearby hunters.
QUESTION: Will this regulation only apply to 4wheel A TVs?
ANSWER: No, the proposed regulation will apply to 3-wheel and 4-wheel A TVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, trucks, and all other forms of motorized vehicles used for the purpose of hunting.
QUESTION: Are the US Forest Service or Bureau of land Management the only agencies able to regulate use of A TVs?
ANSWER: No, the Idaho Fish & Game Commission acting under Idaho Statute 36-104 can regulate method of take for game animals. Specifically, the code states: "... then it [commission] shall make a rule or proclamation embodying its findings in respect to when, under what circumstances, in which localities, by what means, what sex, and in what amounts and numbers the wildlife of this state may be taken."
QUESTION: Do ATVs and other forms of motorized vehicles have an effect on hunting and wildlife management?
ANSWER: Yes, numerous studies in Idaho and around the nation have shown that increases in motorized access can lead to a number of problems including: 1) habitat damage and/or avoidance of habitats near motorized routes, 2) increased susceptibility to harvest which can lead to low buck:doe or bull:cow ratios, and 3) disturb or disrupt other hunters resulting in conflicts. Restricting motorized access can maintain hunting opportunity, healthy wildlife populations, and reduce conflicts between hunters without the need for more restrictive hunting regulations.
