F&G Seeks Comments on Early Goose Season in Southeast Region and an Increase in Sandhill Tag Numbers

Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public comments on a proposed early Canada goose season in the Southeast Region and an increase in Sandhill Crane tag numbers. An early Canada goose hunting season is proposed to address goose depredation issues in agricultural areas in Bear Lake and Caribou counties only. This proposal includes a September 1-15 season, with a daily bag limit of 5 and a possession limit of 15. The proposed hunt area description includes Bear Lake County and Caribou County, except that portion within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. If approved, the 15 days used for the special early Canada goose season will have to be removed from the regular 107-day goose season for that area. Fish and Game proposes to remove those 15 days from the end of the regular season. Specifically, a season that currently ends near the last Sunday in January would now end 15 days prior. In addition, the Pacific Flyway Council allocated Idaho a harvest of 166 Sandhill cranes for the 2015 season. This is an increase from 120 allocated in 2014, due to an increase in the most recent three-year average of cranes counted during the annual September survey. Since 2009, when Sandhill Crane tags were made available on a first-come first-served basis, the harvest per tag purchased has averaged 48 percent. To stay at or below the Pacific Flyway harvest allocation of 166 cranes, Fish and Game proposes to increase tags numbers to a maximum of 290. The proposed season would run September 1-15 with a daily limit of two birds. Those interested can view the season proposals and provide comments at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/public-involvement, or by attending an open house meeting where they can visit with local biologists about the proposals. Open house meetings will be held at the following: - Idaho Falls - 12:00 a.m.to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 9, Fish and Game regional office, 4279 Commerce Circle. - Pocatello - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, July 20, Fish and Game regional office, 1345 Barton Road. Copies of the proposed seasons and comment forms are also available at these locations. Comments will be collected from July 6 through July 22. A summary of public comments will be presented to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission at their July 30 meeting in Pocatello, when they will consider and set the proposed seasons.