Mule deer, white-tailed deer plans available for review; open houses scheduled

Idaho Fish and Game wildlife managers are asking deer hunters to review Fish and Game’s draft management plans for mule deer and white-tailed deer and provide feedback to the department on the overall concepts of the plans and whether topics are missing that might improve them. The plans describe statewide management directions and strategies.

Hunters have until June 21 to comment on the plans online, at open houses or by phone by calling a regional office. Open houses will be held statewide to discuss the management plans, and hunters are asked to review the plans before attending.

There are separate plans for mule deer and white-tailed deer, but both focus on a variety of topics that include population management and also frameworks and concepts for hunting seasons that will maintain sustainable deer herds and strive to meet hunters’ expectations.

Both plans are the result of extensive hunter surveys that were done in 2017-18 where mule deer and white-tailed hunters shared their expectations. Those surveys were incorporated into the draft plans, which will guide deer herd management over the next six years.

The plans are a blend of scientific information and plain language, but the overall concepts in the plans are easily understandable for the average, informed hunter.

The plans mostly outline broad management prescriptions and concepts that typically do not go into unit-by-unit detail, nor do the plans provide season frameworks or specific rules, which are addressed in the big game season setting and rules process.

After hunters review and comment on the draft plans, wildlife managers will incorporate those comments and revise plans, then present a final draft to the Fish and Game Commission during summer.

Review the Mule Deer Plan at bit.ly/2ZkUpaF.

Review the White-tailed Deer Plan at bit.ly/2EYQsjZ.

Here are the open houses near us: