It’s a new year, and the 2026 legislative session is well underway. Issues that impact sportsmen and women are already being hotly debated at the State House. Public lands, wildlife connectivity, and other core conservation topics will feature prominently this session, as will the ongoing discussion around the appropriate place for advanced technology in our hunting seasons. As always, we encourage you to keep a close eye on our website and social media channels for regular updates as these conversations evolve.
The technology debate in particular has been animated, with hunters expressing a wide range of perspectives following the Fish and Game Commission’s unanimous approval of restrictions on tools such as thermal optics and drones in big game seasons. We encourage everyone to take a look at the full breakdown on our website to understand what was proposed, what was adopted, and why.
One of IWF’s most important roles is helping build and maintain bridges within Idaho’s hunting and fishing community – especially on issues where reasonable sportsmen and women can disagree. Healthy debate is a strength, but when disagreements become deeply divisive, the unintended consequences can be real – and we need to guard against fragmentation within our community that will make it more difficult to defend the values we broadly share: science-based wildlife management, fair-chase principles, public land access, and abundant wildlife and hunting and fishing opportunities for current and future generations.
As we move through this legislative session, IWF remains committed to fostering respectful dialogue, keeping the focus on shared priorities, and ensuring that Idaho’s sportsmen and women continue to show up as a united voice for conservation and our outdoor heritage.
Nick Fasciano
Executive Director
Link to website HERE.