Idaho BHA Habitat Watch Coordinator Dan Herrig and Regional Manager Josh Kuntz represented BHA at the first meeting of a newly formed working group called the Idaho Rangeland Conservation Partnership (IRCP). The goal of the IRCP is to bring together diverse stakeholders to work on outcome based solutions for management of Idaho’s rangeland. Nearly 100 people attended the 2-day meeting in Boise on January 15-16, 2019. Representatives from the Idaho Fish & Game, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Office of Species Conservation, BLM, Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, cattle ranchers, sheep ranchers, educators and conservationists listened to presentations and worked together in breakout groups to discuss values and the social, economic and ecological impacts of rangeland management practices.
BHA staffer Josh Kuntz gave a 10-minute presentation outlining the importance of rangeland to hunters and anglers and some of the challenges and frustrations that hunters and anglers often feel regarding these lands.
It is estimated that 55% of Idaho is considered rangeland, encompassing vast swaths of public and private land. Rangelands in Idaho see a mixed use of grazing, timber and recreation activity.
About Idaho BHA
The Idaho chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is a group united by a passion to protect and conserve public land forests, mountains, prairies, streams and lakes that support our hunting and angling traditions.