Skip to main content
idfg-badge

Idaho Fish and Game

Comments sought on migratory game bird seasons

idfg-mdemick
Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the upcoming migratory game bird seasons. To view and comment on the season proposals, visit Fish and Game's public involvement page at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/public-involvement. Beginning this year, a new process and schedule established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be used for setting annual migratory game bird hunting regulations. This new process and schedule will allow Fish and Game to set migratory game bird hunting seasons earlier, which will also allow the Commission to set seasons for all migratory game birds at the same time. This means hunters will have more time to plan their hunts and hunting seasons for all ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, doves, and crows will be available in the same brochure. Proposals for the 2016-2017 seasons include: Waterfowl The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees waterfowl management at the national level, authorized Fish and Game to hold a waterfowl season similar to the 2015-2016 season. Using that authorization as a framework, Fish and Game conducted a hunter opinion survey recently to assess hunter preferences on how to structure waterfowl seasons for the next five years; 2016-2020. As a result of this survey, Fish and Game has proposed a 105-day season and a 2-day youth hunt, identical in length to last year's season. For ducks and Canada geese, the 107 days can only occur between September 24, 2016 and January 29, 2017. For white-fronted geese and light geese (Snow and Ross's), the 107 days can only occur between September 24, 2016 and March 10, 2017. The proposed Youth Waterfowl Season is September 24-25. A seven bird daily bag limit for ducks, but not more than 2 female mallards, 2 redhead, 3 scaup, 2 pintail or 2 canvasback is also part of the new season proposal. Sandhill Crane Fish and Game proposes to increase tag numbers to a total of 465 tags, extend season length in some hunt areas, and close a small section of the Jefferson County Hunt Area. The proposed daily limit is two birds for all hunts, and the season limit is two birds for each hunter. Sandhill crane tags will be made available on a first-come first-served basis beginning at 10 a.m. (MDT) August 1 at all license vendors. Dove The proposed season structure for doves is September 1 to October 30 statewide, with a daily bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate. Crow The proposed season structure for American crows is October 1 to January 31 statewide, with no daily bag limit. Hunters can also visit their nearest Fish and Game office for copies of the proposed seasons and comment forms, or attend an open house meeting where they can speak directly with local biologists. Open house meetings currently scheduled include: - Pocatello - Thursday, April 7, 8-5 p.m., Southeast Region Fish and Game Office, 1345 Barton Road. - Jerome - Wednesday, April 13, 1-5 p.m., Magic Valley Fish and Game Office, 324 S. 417 E, Suite #1. Written comments may also be mailed to: 2016-17 Waterfowl Seasons, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. Comments will be collected through April 13. Information collected will be summarized and presented to the Fish and Game Commission, which will set the final waterfowl seasons April 21. The 2016-2017 Migratory Game Bird Seasons and Rules brochure, which now includes waterfowl, sandhill crane, dove and crow season information, will be available at all license vendors and online by late July.