IOGA Members,
I hope all of you are well and that the first of the year has been good for your businesses. The past couple of months have been very busy for the IOGA staff, especially with legislative issues and trade shows. As you know the Legislature has been in session and several bills that affect our industry have been up for discussion. Grant Simonds, IOGA Government Affairs Liaison, and our lobby firm, Risch-Pisca PLLC, have provided an update elsewhere in this FYI Bulletin.
In an effort to get out and promote all IOGA members, we have attended quite a few shows and events. January 15-19 found us in Denver for the International Sportsmen's Expo (ISE) and later that month at the ITC Grant Summit on the 29th. February 5-9 it was Las Vegas for the Safari Club International show, then February 22-25 we were in Reno for the Wild Sheep Foundation show and ended the month at the Idaho Sportsmen’s show February 27–March 2.
The Idaho Natural Resource Foundation board members along with staff held the Idaho State Championship Elk Calling Contest at the Boise Fairgrounds on March 1, which was a huge success, and in fact it will be moved to a bigger venue next year. In early March the IOGA staff travelled to Salmon for the annual Salmon Chapter meeting with agency persons and the Chapter's fundraising event. Then it was off to Salt Lake City for the International Sportsmen's Expo March 12 -16.
I want to thank all members who either donated their time to help man these shows or donated raffle items that were used to bring attention to the IOGA and INRF booths. Hopefully IOGA members will see some additional business either directly from our participation or through the leads that are being sent out.
April will have us back in Salmon for the spring IOGA Board meeting on April 9-10. I will be attending the annual Nez Perce/Clearwater National Forest outfitter meeting in Kamiah on April 17th.
As many of you are aware the IOGA is 60 years old this year. That is a huge accomplishment for any organization. We have been working on a new 60th year anniversary logo that has just been completed. It is available to be used by our members any way you wish to use it. Please contact Janey in the office and she will send it to you.
We are working on budgets and grant applications for the 2014/2015 year. IOGA continues to struggle financially and your continued support of our organization is key to our success. So stay involved and encourage those who are not involved to join us today.
Finally I would like to extend a sincere “THANK YOU” to the kind and anonymous donor who just recently donated a brand new computer with brand new software to the IOGA office. Although it has been needed for a while, our budget has not allowed us the opportunity to go out and purchase a new one. This was a wonderful gesture. As I always told my kids when they were growing up, "Good Things Come To Those Who Do Good Things!".
Have a great day!
John May
Kudos to the Salmon Chapter
Congratulations to the Salmon Chapter on it's recent successful annual membership meeting and fundraiswer with record turnout of members, agency folks and friends of the industry. This is the 26th anniversary of the Salmon Chapter. Kudos to chapter leaders and organizers including Tammy Overacker and co-chairs Dave Melton and Mary Wright!
2014 Idaho Legislature Is History
The Idaho Legislature adjourned on March 20th and the IOGA through its lobby team of Jeremy Pisca and Tyler Mallard of the firm of Risch Pisca PLLC monitored the Statehouse on a daily basis with assistance from IOGA staff member, Grant Simonds.
The IOGA unofficial goal for each session of the Idaho legislature is “no news is good news”. This did not occur this winter as HB 597, a so-called private property rights bill, sponsored by the Idaho Farm Bureau passed both chambers easily. Idaho Governor Butch Otter has ten days from March 20th to decide its fate. As of this writing (March 25th), the Governor had taken no action.
IOGA was able to negotiate several changes for HB 597 from its predecessor HB 468, which IOGA opposed. Changes from 468 to 597 included not restricting outfitting and guiding to public land and the ability of current private land outfitters (72 currently licensed by the IOGLB) to maintain leases and agreements with landowners provided the landowner desires such documentation. However, IOGA was not successful in negotiating a change in the onerous provision in HB 597 that allows for landowners and their employees to essentially provide outfitter and guide services on private land without any standards or oversight. Further, the public that utilizes these new services by landowners on private land will have no recourse regarding protection of their public safety and welfare. In other words, any landowner could establish a web site, put up a shingle and claim to be an “outfitter and guide”. Not good. Ultimately, IOGA withdrew its opposition to HB 597 as a “deal is a deal”. Risch Pisca has provided a review of the legislative session and the upcoming primary and general elections.
Classified Ads
Wilderness River Outfitters is sponsoring a Wilderness First Responder refresher class in Salmon June 2nd & 3rd. Click here for the registration form.
Outfitting Business for Sale. Whiskey Mountain Outfitters, an established hunt outfitting and guide businiess is for sale. Big Game Hunting in Unit 40 and Bear Hunts in Unit 14 on private ground. Contact Wayne Hungate for more information. 208.880.2335
If you are in need of well trained individuals i.e. Packers, Guides, Wranglers or Camp Cooks, we have students ready to go to work. Contact Elm Outfitters and Guides Training Program 406.961.3603
For Sale or Lease: We are the 100 Acre Wood Lodge in North Fork, Idaho, located on the Idaho/Montana border& only 3 miles from the Salmon River. We are pursuing a "lifestyle" change & wanted some of our contacts to know we are for sale...(or lease). We are a turnkey operation with plenty of room to expand. We also have a lake, acreage and an Outfitters License. Check out our web site, the virtual tour and details of the business and property. Jon & Nancy Cummings, 208-865-2165.
Satellite Phone Rentals Satmodo rents sat phones starting at $29.99/week. Available 24/7. Same day delivery available. Reach us at (800) 279-2366 or via our website.
SITKA GEAR announces the Sitka Guide and Outfitter Program, open to any registered Idaho guide or outfitter looking for top-quality hunting gear. Please contact Jeff Sposito for more information.
ZEISS Sports Optics announces the ZEISS Guide and Outfitter Program, open to any registered Idaho guide or outfitter looking for top-quality German optics. Please contact Barton Dobbs at 303.903.4455 or via e-mail for more information.
