Hoping to send a strong message opposing past and future attempts by legislators to force the sale of big-game auction tags, some sportsmen and related groups in Idaho have joined together to start a petition.

Idaho Wildlife Federation (IWF), Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and others are using the online petition to urge Idaho legislators and Idaho Fish and Game commissioners to vote against any proposals that would allow an increase in the allocation of auction tags in the state.

“I do not believe that the best opportunities to hunt Idaho’s wildlife should be sold to the highest bidder,” the petition states. “The big game in the state of Idaho belong to all of us, and we should all be provided an equal opportunity to premium hunting tags.”

Those behind the effort announced the start of the petition on Tuesday, shortly before the Legislature is set to convene.

But Sen. Steve Bair, R-Blackfoot, who was part of a failed legislative proposal last year that would have required the Fish and Game Commission to auction tags, said he’s not aware of any such legislation for 2017.

“There is no legislation to do anything with auction tags this year,” he said.

Still, Brian Brooks, executive director of IWF, wants to make sure that doesn’t change.

He points to emails received earlier through an open records request.

“From the emails IWF unearthed, we know there was collusion to pass auction tag legislation last session,” he said. “We also know that there were meetings in late 2016 to formulate plans to pass auction tag legislation in the 2017 session. If they are backing off that idea now, then the Idaho Wildlife Federation has done its job. But that doesn’t mean that auction tag legislation won’t come back in 2018, or ‘19.’ Legislation rarely passes in one year, so IWF will be there every step of the way to make sure this bad idea stays in the dark where it belongs.”

Lawmakers have disagreed over the best way for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to increase revenue.

In 2012, the Legislature gave authority to the Fish and Game Commission, which supervises the department, to auction up to 12 “Governor’s Wildlife Partnership” big-game tags, including three each for deer, elk and pronghorn, and one each for bighorn sheep, moose and mountain goat.

Yet to the chagrin of many lawmakers, the commission has declined to offer any tag for auction except for bighorn sheep, which has been auctioned annually since 1988. That tag sold for $90,000 last January.

Virgil Moore, director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, recently announced that he plans to ask lawmakers to approve raising resident fees in 2018. But similar proposals have stalled in the Statehouse since the agency first pitched to lawmakers in 2014.

Those behind the petition say sportsmen overwhelmingly support a marginal increase to license and tag fees to help cover growing wildlife management costs. They do not, however, want to see an increase in auction tags.

“Sportsmen in this state are tired of politicians meddling in wildlife management, especially this gross overstep to drastically increase and mandate auction tags,” Josh Kuntz, the Idaho chapter co-chair of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, said in the news release. “Other states such as Utah have taught us that once you start selling hunting tags to the highest bidder, there is essentially no going back.”

He continued, “Idaho is the land of opportunity for hunters, and if hunters want to keep Idaho hunting opportunities, they need to sign this petition and send a message to our elected officials.”

For more information about the petition, people can visit http://tinyurl.com/zagr5fc.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Hoping to send a strong message opposing past and future attempts by legislators to force the sale of big-game auction tags, some sportsmen and related groups in Idaho have joined together to start a petition.

Idaho Wildlife Federation (IWF), Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and others are using the online petition to urge Idaho legislators and Idaho Fish and Game commissioners to vote against any proposals that would allow an increase in the allocation of auction tags in the state.

“I do not believe that the best opportunities to hunt Idaho’s wildlife should be sold to the highest bidder,” the petition states. “The big game in the state of Idaho belong to all of us, and we should all be provided an equal opportunity to premium hunting tags.”

Those behind the effort announced the start of the petition on Tuesday, shortly before the Legislature is set to convene.

But Sen. Steve Bair, R-Blackfoot, who was part of a failed legislative proposal last year that would have required the Fish and Game Commission to auction tags, said he’s not aware of any such legislation for 2017.

“There is no legislation to do anything with auction tags this year,” he said.

Still, Brian Brooks, executive director of IWF, wants to make sure that doesn’t change.

He points to emails received earlier through an open records request.

“From the emails IWF unearthed, we know there was collusion to pass auction tag legislation last session,” he said. “We also know that there were meetings in late 2016 to formulate plans to pass auction tag legislation in the 2017 session. If they are backing off that idea now, then the Idaho Wildlife Federation has done its job. But that doesn’t mean that auction tag legislation won’t come back in 2018, or ‘19.’ Legislation rarely passes in one year, so IWF will be there every step of the way to make sure this bad idea stays in the dark where it belongs.”

Lawmakers have disagreed over the best way for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to increase revenue.

In 2012, the Legislature gave authority to the Fish and Game Commission, which supervises the department, to auction up to 12 “Governor’s Wildlife Partnership” big-game tags, including three each for deer, elk and pronghorn, and one each for bighorn sheep, moose and mountain goat.

Yet to the chagrin of many lawmakers, the commission has declined to offer any tag for auction except for bighorn sheep, which has been auctioned annually since 1988. That tag sold for $90,000 last January.

Virgil Moore, director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, recently announced that he plans to ask lawmakers to approve raising resident fees in 2018. But similar proposals have stalled in the Statehouse since the agency first pitched to lawmakers in 2014.

Those behind the petition say sportsmen overwhelmingly support a marginal increase to license and tag fees to help cover growing wildlife management costs. They do not, however, want to see an increase in auction tags.

“Sportsmen in this state are tired of politicians meddling in wildlife management, especially this gross overstep to drastically increase and mandate auction tags,” Josh Kuntz, the Idaho chapter co-chair of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, said in the news release. “Other states such as Utah have taught us that once you start selling hunting tags to the highest bidder, there is essentially no going back.”

He continued, “Idaho is the land of opportunity for hunters, and if hunters want to keep Idaho hunting opportunities, they need to sign this petition and send a message to our elected officials.”

For more information about the petition, people can visit http://tinyurl.com/zagr5fc.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

WESTON — Preston native Lindsay Christensen is hoping to become the next Extreme Huntress, but she needs the public’s help to fulfill her dream.

Christensen, who currently resides in Weston, a city in Franklin County, is competing against five other female finalists in the Extreme Huntress competition, which, according to its website, aims to preserve an outdoor heritage and highlight positive role models for women who like to hunt.

Christensen wants to win the title.

“I want to be able to share my passion with people all over the world,” said Christensen, who has been hunting since she was a young girl.

The finalists were filmed as they competed in hunting and skills events at the 777 Ranch in Hondo, Texas, earlier this year, and online episodes highlighting their abilities are now being released weekly. They can be viewed at extremehuntress.com, getzone.com or through the Extreme Huntress app.

The winner of the competition will be chosen based on the judges’ score (50 percent), their skills score (30 percent) and the number of online votes they receive (20 percent).

Christensen received more online votes than the other competitors in the voting periods for August, September and October, and she’s hoping to keep up that trend. As of Thursday morning, she had a total of 2,389 votes — more than a 1,000-point lead on the competitor in second.

“To be leading the voting at this point is truly an honor,” Christensen said. “I feel grateful to know that I have so many people rooting for me behind the scenes.”

Initially, the public was only allowed to cast one vote for the length of the competition, which started in August and wraps up on Jan. 5, but organizers have changed the rules, Christensen said. People can now vote once per month per email address.

“The voting points are also divided into two sections now: voting period winner and cumulative vote total. Max points (will go) to the winner of each category, and everyone else will receive a percentage,” Christensen said. “I am currently leading in both categories. However, if I win this month, November, no one will be able to win more voting periods than me.”

Christensen has been working hard to spread the word through the media and other forums.

“I did an intro to archery booth at the Franklin County Fair, where I also talked a lot about the competition. I was able to speak in the center of the arena during the jousting event at the fair as well,” Christensen said. “I also had stickers on three different derby cars in the Preston Demolition Derby and on two cars in the Logan Trash Car Races. Recently, my friend drag raced his snowmobile at an event in Twin Falls, with the voting information plastered on the hood.”

Christensen said she is planning some meet-and-greets in the weeks ahead as well.

“Upon departure from the 777 Ranch in Texas, following the head-to-head competition, the judges said that the judges’ scores are so close among the top few girls that it is likely to come down to online voting to determine the winner,” Christensen said.

That’s why she’s asking people to vote for her once each month. They will only have five days to do so in January, she noted.

“The public can help me to realize my dream of becoming the next Extreme Huntress by voting for me in the competition and having everyone they know vote as well,” she said.

To vote, people should go online to www.extremehuntress.com and click on “2016 Voting.” Scroll down through the “Vote Now!” section on the right, select Lindsay Christensen’s name, and then press “Vote.” Enter an email address, click “Vote” again, and then go to the email account to confirm the vote.

“Votes must be confirmed in order to count,” Christensen said.

The next Extreme Huntress will be announced during a black-tie dinner at the Dallas Safari Club early next year. While Christensen is hoping to win the title, she feels she’s already received a lot from the competition.

“The journey has been incredible. I have had the the opportunity to meet some amazing individuals and to develop lifelong friendships with women who share my love for hunting and passion for the outdoors,” she said, adding that she’s grown as both a hunter and an individual since she started this competition. “I will be forever grateful for this experience. I want to thank everyone for their continued support because I wouldn’t have made it this far without them.”