Environment (Wildlife)

This bill prohibits the use of hunting blinds near non-natural watering sites in Idaho. It directly affects hunters who set up blinds for game viewing or taking wildlife near artificial water sources like stock tanks or reservoirs. The key provision amends Idaho Code §36-1101 to explicitly ban blinds in these locations, while also revising penalty provisions in §36-1401 for violations. The change aims to prevent unfair hunting advantages and protect wildlife behavior around human-made water features.

This is a Joint Memorial (not a bill), passed by the Idaho Legislature, calling on the federal government to protect livestock operators who report wildlife depredation (attacks by wolves or bears on livestock). It asks the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Interior to stop using depredation reports as a reason to modify or revoke federal grazing permits. The memorial states that Idaho ranchers fear reporting attacks due to potential federal retaliation, even though the state provides compensation for livestock losses. It directly affects Idaho livestock operators with federal grazing permits on lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management. The request seeks a federal policy change to allow ranchers to report depredation without risking their grazing rights.