Many upland game bird seasons open in September

Autumn is finally here, and many of the fall upland bird hunting seasons are about to begin. Sunday, August 30 marked the start of the forest grouse season, which includes ruffed, spruce and dusky grouse. The season in northern Idaho runs through January 31 and through December 31 in the rest of the state. The daily limit is four, whether all of one or mixed species, and 12 in possession. Mourning dove season opened September 1 and runs through October 30. The daily bag limit is 15, and the possession limit is 45. Mourning dove hunters must have a valid Idaho hunting license with a federal Migratory Bird (HIP) validation. One fully-feathered wing or the head must be retained on all dressed game birds (except turkey) and Eurasian-collared doves to permit identification as to species and sex while being transported. There is no limit on Eurasian-collared doves. Hunters need a valid Idaho hunting license, but a federal Migratory Bird (HIP) validation is not required to hunt collared doves. The general fall turkey season opens September 15 in the Panhandle and Clearwater regions. The daily bag limit is one turkey of either sex per day in the fall. No more than three turkeys may be taken per year, except in Units 1, 2, 3 and 5, where up to five turkeys may be taken in a day during the fall season. The beard or leg of wild turkey must be left naturally attached to the carcass while being transported. Turkey tags are available at all license vendors for $19.75. An extra turkey tag costs of $12.25, and the special unit tag costs $5. Nonresident turkey tags and extra tags cost $80. Additional information on turkey seasons and tags, plus safety tips and more can be found at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/?getPage=131. Chukar and gray partridge seasons run from September 19 through January 31, 2016. The daily bag limit is eight chukar and eight gray partridge, and the possession limit is 24 chukar and 24 gray partridge. Bobwhite and California quail seasons run from September 19 through January 31, 2016. The daily bag limit is 10 total, and the possession limit is 30 total. Area 2 in eastern Idaho is closed. Hunters need only a valid hunting license to hunt quail, chukar, gray partridge and forest grouse. The seven-day sage-grouse season runs from September 19 through September 25, with a one-bird daily limit and a two-bird possession limit. A season information brochure, including a map of areas open to sage-grouse hunting, is available at license vendors, Fish and Game offices and online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/uplandSageGrouse.pdf. Sharp-tailed grouse opens from October 1 through 31, with a two-bird daily limit and six-bird possession limit. Hunters are reminded that because both species can occur in the same areas in south-central and eastern Idaho, identification of species is important as sharptails cannot be taken during the sage-grouse season. A separate permit that costs $4.75 is required for hunting sage- and sharp-tailed grouse. Hunters should consult the current Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules brochure available at license vendors and Fish and Game offices or online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/rules/?getPage=67.