HO 404 Protects Wildlife Data and Preserves Fair Chase
Photo: Daniel Ritz/ IWF
“Fair chase rules make sure hunters have no unfair advantage over wild game by balancing the skills and equipment of the hunter with the abilities of the animal to escape. The rules of fair chase are defined by law, regional preferences, and personal choice. Fair chase emphasizes self-restraint and skills development.” - HuntersEd.com
HO 404, which has passed 56-12 through the Idaho House of Representatives, could in one fell swoop protect prized, but vulnerable terrestrial game species from fair chase violators, as well as protect sportsmen in Idaho from fringe animal rights activism.
HO 404, now headed to the Senate Resources and Environment Committee, allows Idaho agencies and public institutions the discretion to exempt real-time data - like global positioning system (GPS) collars - from public records requests.
In his presentation to the House Committee, Rep. Petzke shared that unfortunately, a few bad actors have been utilizing a loophole in the current public records request process to pinpoint the exact location of highly sensitive and highly sought after game species like deer, elk, and most commonly, moose and Bighorn Sheep.
It’s important to note that while HO 404 prevents agencies from being compelled to give real-time location data accessed through public records, it does NOT prohibit public access to other general data like migration heat maps- valuable information used to inform management decisions on the ground. .
“This bill protects wildlife and ethical hunting. “ Bill London, a past president of the Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation testified to the House Committee on Jan. 29th. “We (Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation) worked hard with Rep. Petzke to ensure that the language of this bill protects hunters, private landowners, agriculture producers and forest product producers.”
Photo Daniel Ritz/IWF
London also mentioned that abuse of public records requests for the use of unfair chase, hunter harassment were particularly prevalent for once-in-a-lifetime tags, such as wild sheep and moose.
Rep. Petzke pointed out that in states such as Montana, animal rights activists have attained real time tracking collar data in order to locate wolves and harass law abiding hunters and trappers.
IWF strongly supports HO 404 and encourages you to stay tuned for an opportunity to give supportive legislators and Gov. Little a thumbs-up when it becomes law.
Be sure to sign up for IWF’s Legislative newsletter to make sure you’re up-to-date on HO 404 and other important bills that hunters and anglers in Idaho need to know about.