As the agency responsible for managing wildlife in Idaho, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game develops long-term management plans for fish and wildlife species in the state.

Not to be confused with annual hunting regulations, species management plans provide direction for management of a particular species for the next 10 years or more. Plans are completed for species that are hunted, fished and trapped; as well as those that are not harvested.

Species Management Plans are somewhat rigid, guiding documents that are closely followed with the intent to achieve long-term goals for a particular species.

Using many sources of input and data, IDFG develops plans to preserve, protect, perpetuate and manage the fish and wildlife species that inhabit Idaho. For game animals, IDFG's mission is to provide continued supplies of wildlife for hunting, fishing and trapping.

IDFG is drafting a new Idaho Elk Management Plan, a plan that was last revised in 1999. Because many hunters consider elk to be Idaho's premier big game animal, hunters will be involved in the creation of the new plan.

The previous elk management plan primarily addressed the need to manage hunter density and distribution while incorporating changes in elk populations. With the next revision, IDFG is addressing hunter preferences and current elk numbers.

The goal is to create a plan that is responsive, that incorporates biological and resource realities and considers hunter input and desires.

Based on hunter survey results, aerial surveys, and current elk population status, IDFG biologists have drafted statewide elk management objectives for the next 10 years. They have also developed objectives and strategies for each of the elk management zones. The objectives are still in draft form, but soon hunters will be able to provide input on statewide elk management direction, zone-specific elk management goals and the possible option of hunting in more than one elk zone during a hunting season.

An elk plan open house will be from 3-7 p.m. at the IDFG Panhandle Region Office in Coeur d'Alene on Thursday, May 2. Using comments from this meeting and others around the state, a draft elk management plan will be created.

Comments, due May 31, may be submitted during the meeting, to wildlife managers at regional offices, to [email protected] or by mail to Elk Plan Comments, P.O. Box 25, Boise ID 83707. The draft will be completed in June.

Online participation in the process will be available beginning in July. There is a link to the process on the IDFG website or by searching for fishandgame.idaho.gov. Those interested can sign up to receive email updates by clicking on the "PageWatch" icon at the bottom of the page.

The open houses are the beginning of the planning process and hunter participation is encouraged as the plan develops.

The revised plan will be presented to the IDFG Commission for consideration and approval in November.

Phil Cooper is the wildlife conservation educator at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.