The Idaho Wildlife Federation and 17 affiliated sportsman and wildlife groups across the state are hosting a Sportsman Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on Saturday at the Special Event Center in the Student Union Building at Boise State University.

Doors open at 2:30 p.m. with the forum starting at 3 p.m. The venue accommodates several hundred attendees and free on-campus parking is provided.

Candidates will weigh in on natural resource topics important to over 400,000 hunting and fishing license holders in the state, ranging from public lands access, public fish and wildlife management and hunter/angler retention.

Brian Brooks, executive director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation, says the forum is an informative tool for sportsmen heading to the ballot box.

“This is an opportunity for the folks vying for Idaho’s top leadership position to communicate to Idaho sportsmen and women their opinions, strategies and solutions addressing the complex issues facing Idaho’s wildlife, public lands and massive outdoor recreation industry,” Brooks said in a news release.

Gubernatorial candidates received invitations to the Sportsman Forum on Sept. 15 with a range of available dates.

“We appreciate that the candidates for governor have agreed to come down and talk to sportsmen,” said Michael Gibson, Idaho Field Coordinator for Trout Unlimited, in a news release. “Idahoans share a passion for the outdoors and the hunting and fishing opportunities it provides. I think they want to be sure their future governor shares that passion, or at the very least, understand it.”

The forum will be moderated by Eric Barker, outdoor editor for the Lewiston Tribune.

The event is free for the public and a reception is planned for Payette Brewing Co. after the forum concludes.