IWF On Dworshak Elk Working Group
During the previous big game season setting cycle, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) recommended eliminating General A tag cow elk hunting opportunities in response to seeing a decline in cow elk to the point they were below their population objectives for the zone. To help offset this lost opportunity, especially for muzzleloader enthusiasts, they recommended the creation of a new, controlled, antlerless-only muzzleloader hunt. The feedback they received through the public scoping process was that 67% of respondents opposed this change. Listening to the public, this proposal did not move forward and the Dworshak Zone A tag remained unchanged with the opportunity to harvest antlerless elk during both the archery and muzzleloader seasons.
While this can be considered a win with how the sporting public was listened to through the season-setting process, unfortunately, both bull and cow elk are below objective and something needs to change to build up this population.
IDFG knows a change needs to be made, but also recognizes that hunter support is essential for a change. This is why the Dworshak Elk Working Group was started.
Invites to apply for this working group were sent to residents who live in the Clearwater Region who had elk-hunted unit 10A within the last three years. Interviews were done and people were selected to represent the three main groups of hunters, archery, muzzleloader, and rifle hunters.
Other members of the group include landowners, outfitters, and sportsperson group representatives. This group will be meeting throughout the summer with the goal of developing proposals for the 2025-2026 season setting process.