F&G issue

[Duck-Slayer]

there trying too get more auction tags and a bonus point system, please fill out and strongly disagree with what the politician's want...... There is a good read on my facebook page that Corey Jacobson wrote also....
Matt

https://idfg.idaho.gov/node/9852/done?si...7ce473a3b6
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[nijimasu]

Corey's piece is really good- I've taken the liberty of copying and pasting the entire thing here-


Those familiar with the 'Bonus Points Debate' in regards to controlled hunts here in Idaho are probably aware that I have been very actively involved in defendi...ng the current system we have in place for several years now. Recently, I have been getting a ton of emails and messages from concerned sportsmen (not just in Idaho) asking why we are seeing this topic rising up yet again.
In order to understand why it is coming up again, it’s important to understand how the system works.
Idaho Fish and Game has a seven member commission that is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate (you should already be thinking ‘politics’). The Fish and Game Commission is responsible for the administration of fish and game policy within the state. However, the laws governing much of what we see as fish and game regulations are actually introduced at the Legislative level in Idaho, and often go against – and even behind the back of – the Idaho Fish and Game. In many cases, and especially with the topic of Bonus Points and Auction Tags, it is not the Idaho Fish and Game who is behind it. It is usually an outside, special interest group or individual who has enough pull to get the idea introduced at the Legislative level.
What makes things especially frustrating for sportsmen who actually care about the future of hunting in Idaho, is when it is a member of the House or Senate who ramrods the issue through, or tries to sneakily attach the bill to other bills that are already gaining momentum. Yes, this happens. These issues have nothing to do with the management of big game in the state of Idaho, and everything to do with the deceptive and selfish agendas of a few individuals who abuse the powers they have been trusted with as representatives within our State.
Idaho Fish and Game is currently conducting a survey so they can gauge the interest of sportsmen in Idaho in regards to the Bonus Point and Auction Tag issue. They will then use this information as a Commission as they consider their support for any future bills/legislation that relate to the topic. However, it is important to understand that regardless of their support or disdain, it ultimately comes down to the votes of our representatives at the state House and/or Senate.
There are two things sportsmen need to do to voice their opinion: First, take the Fish and Game survey at: [url "https://idfg.idaho.gov/webform/open-survey-controlled-hunt-drawings-and-auction-tags"]https://idfg.idaho.gov/…/open-survey-controlled-hunt-drawin…[/url]. Secondly, take a few minutes to contact the state representatives for your area and share with them your feelings on the issues. These communications do go a long way with most of the representatives.
Now, with a basic overview of why we continue to see these issues come up, here is my input on why I am against Bonus Points and Auction Tags in Idaho.
Bonus Points – Bonus Points don’t work. There are several iterations of ideas for how a system could be implemented to increase the odds for those who apply for consecutive years. Unfortunately, none of them will accomplish what those who want them hope they will accomplish, and that is based upon the simple statistical facts. At the root of the idea, those in support of a Bonus Point system want to increase their chances of drawing a tag. The argument is usually something along the lines of, “It isn’t fair that someone can draw a tag on their first attempt when I’ve been trying unsuccessfully for 20 years.” Ironically, Idaho’s current system is the very definition of “fair”. And when we look at the statistics, adding bonus points won’t be much help for them either, especially in the hard to draw units where most of the supporters are hoping to draw a tag. Here is why:
We will start off by assuming that there will be no change to the number of applicants for a particular hunt (which won’t be the case – applicants will increase if a Bonus Point system is implemented….no one wants to miss out on getting in on the ground floor). We will also look at a straight Bonus Point system where applicants receive an extra chance of drawing for each year they apply.
In a unit where there are 15 tags available and 500 applicants, Idaho’s current system would give everyone a 3% chance of drawing a tag every year. Under a Bonus Point system, after 5 years, there would be 442 applicants with max points (5 points). They would statistically have a 3.19% chance of drawing a tag with their now-weighted application. The unfortunate part of this situation is that someone who gets into the draws on Year 5 (youth, new hunters, etc.) would have just a 0.64% chance of drawing that first year. Fast forward 5 more years, now Year 10 of the system. There will be 374 people now with max points (10 points). Their odds of drawing this same tag will be just 3.45%! The applicants who got in 5 years ago (5 years after the system was implemented) will have only a 1.73% chance of drawing, and a new applicant in year 10 will be at 0.35%! Unfortunately, at this point, there is no turning back and we have a failed system. Just ask the sportsmen of Oregon, Colorado, Utah, etc….Bonus Points don’t work to increase chances of drawing tags unless you get in on the very first year, and even then, it is very minimal.
The news is not much better for a unit with higher drawing odds. Let’s say there are 80 tags in a unit with 800 applicants. With the current system, the odds of drawing this tag would be 10%. With a Bonus Point system, after Year 5, there will be 63 people left with max points (5 points). These applicants, with their weighted chances, will be up to 11.35% odds. Those just getting into the draw will be at 2.27%.
There is a situation where Bonus Points would be beneficial, but it is only in hunts where the odds of drawing are greater than 20-25%. Less than that, and they provide no measurable statistical advantage, even to those who get in on the ground floor. However, they severely penalize those who come in just 3-5 years down the road.
There is one viable argument to the adoption of a Bonus Point system, and that is increased revenue from application fees. However, there are far better models for generating revenue with minimal cost to sportsmen.
Auction Tags – I won’t say much about Auction Tags, other than to point out that it isn’t a coincidence that Auction Tags come up at the same time as Bonus Points. Both are driven by greed and selfishness, and for those who have the financial means to buy a tag rather than waiting in line with their fellow sportsmen, it provides them with that opportunity. Auction Tags do have the ability to provide some needed revenue for the state, but the problem is that once the flood gates are opened, more and more tags will be taken from sportsmen to satisfy the demands of those who want to buy a tag. One cannot argue the revenue that auction tags can bring in, but one also need only look south to Utah to see the major issues that arise from this tag grab. Draw odds for those who can’t afford to spend $5,000 - $20,000 on a tag go down as more tags are taken from the draw pools and made available to the highest bidders. Again, there are ways that we can increase revenue without compromising the opportunities sportsmen have in the state of Idaho.
I would offer this as a question to those who are in support of Bonus Point and Auction Tags in Idaho: Removing Revenue from the equation, can you offer one solid reason why it makes sense for Idaho to manage their Big Game using a Bonus Point system?

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