ID S1256

Authorizes issuance of special big game auction tags called "Governor's Wildlife Partnership Tags" for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope (up to 3 per species annually), moose (1 per year), and mountain goat and bighorn sheep (1 per species annually).

Tags must be signed by the governor prior to auction and are available to both residents and nonresidents; deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and moose tags drawn from nonresident controlled hunt programs, while mountain goat and bighorn sheep tags taken from nonresident quotas.

Nonprofit wildlife conservation organizations selected by the director conduct auctions, with no more than 5% of proceeds retained for administrative costs.

Auction proceeds allocated up to 30% for sportsmen access programs and remainder for wildlife habitat projects, wildlife management to improve big game herds, and approved research and management activities.

Restricts use of all bighorn sheep tag auction proceeds (both existing and new tags): prohibits purchases of private property or federally managed grazing permits, and bars funding for matching grants related to such purchases, plus restricts transplants in southwest Idaho south of Snake River and west of U.S. Highway 93 and litigation/environmental impact statement costs.