[Vision2020] Fw: [Spam 6.40] IDAHO'S WILD OUTDOORS

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From: "Crapo News Release (Crapo)" newsclips at crapo.senate.gov
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:19:59 -0700
To: 
Subject: [Spam 6.40] IDAHO'S WILD OUTDOORS

FOR RELEASE 	          		CONTACT:           Susan Wheeler
(202) 224-5150
Week of October 28, 2007		                Laura Thurston
Goodroe (202) 224-7500

			IDAHO'S WILD OUTDOORS
	Guest opinion submitted by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo

This time of year, many Idahoans take to the woods and fields to fill
their elk, deer, bear, or mountain lion tags (for a fortunate few, a
once-in-a-lifetime moose tag) as well as hunting waterfowl and upland
game.  Whether bow or rifle hunting, Idahoans pack up gear, ammunition
and supplies to spend time enjoying breathtaking natural resources with
family and friends-the very reason why many choose to call Idaho home.  

Teddy Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway are just a few of the famous
figures who have joined us locals hunting or fishing in Idaho's
world-class mountains, fields and streams.  These activities generate
critical local tourism dollars, and licensing fees provide for habitat
and game management and conservation.  In 2006 alone, 186,000 hunters
spent $271.6 million, and 361,000 fishermen and women spent $295.3
million.  The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) anticipates
receiving $32 million in general license revenue for FY2007:  42 percent
from residents; 58 percent from nonresidents.  License fees, in part,
fund monitoring wildlife populations; habitat management; depredation
control for landowners; programs such as elk, mule deer and upland bird
ecology; research on new and improved management strategies; acquisition
and improvement of habitat; and emergency winter feeding.

Idaho also realizes financial benefits from federal excise taxes levied
on hunting.  Annually, nearly $200 million goes to state agencies to
support wildlife management programs, the purchase of lands open to
hunters, and hunter education and safety classes.  Through 2005,
proceeds from the Federal Duck Stamp had purchased over five million
acres of habitat for the refuge system, land that is usually open to
hunting.

The economic benefit to local communities and the state is undeniable,
not to mention the education that these experiences provide.  As people
young and old learn to respect and appreciate the immense beauty around
them, they come to support responsible and fair resource management.
This provides Idahoans the opportunity to explore collaborative efforts
toward common access and management goals in the context of federal land
and environmental regulations.  Collaborative efforts of this nature are
already bearing fruit across Idaho:  

	*  I've been pleased to help facilitate the Owyhee Initiative,
an historic land 	management effort seven years in the making that
has brought together local, 	state, federal, tribal and private
interests in a collaborative plan for millions of 	acres in Owyhee
County.  If codified, ranchers 	will be able to plan for
subsequent generations, off-road vehicle users and sportsmen will have
access assured and wilderness will be established.  Tribal cultural
resources 	will be protected and local, state and federal
government agencies will have 	structure to assist their joint
management of the region--all within the context of 	the preservation
of environmental and economic health.  

	* Collaboration on sportsmen's access has been facilitated by
IDFG.  Under 	the Access Yes! program (supported by the National
Shooting Sports 	Foundation, Idaho sportsmen and private
landowners), 108 lease agreements 	have opened 634,956 private and
726,320 public acres to sportsmen and 	women.  

A recent Idaho visitor wrote in the New York Times: "I drove once until
there was no more road, and then hiked, with two of my brothers, until
there was no more trail...we found a deep pool at the base of a
waterfall, hard by a grove of ancient cedars. We caught fish until our
arms were tired, and then watched the night sky theatrics.  There was
river music, white noise for sleep.  And I promised never to tell the
exact location..." 

He has captured a bit of the mystery and wonder of Idaho in these few
sentences; something that Idahoans enjoying the great Idaho outdoors
this fall know well.    

WORD COUNT:  598 
To link directly to this news release, please go to:
http://crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=286022&&


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