Turkey and black bear general seasons begin April 15

Idaho's spring turkey and black bear general seasons open April 15, with turkey seasons running through May 25 and spring black bear seasons closing dates vary. Youth who are 10 to 17 years old on or before April 8 may participate in the general season youth turkey hunt that runs from Wednesday, April 8 through Tuesday, April 14. All youth hunters must have a valid license and turkey tag. Resident hunters under 12, nonresident hunters with a Junior Mentored Hunting license, and all those with hunting passports must be accompanied by a licensed adult 18 years of age or older to participate. Adults who accompany youth hunters must be within normal conversation or hearing range without shouting and without the aid of electronic devices. A few bear hunts opened April 1 in some areas where hunters may also use a second bear tag. Turkey and black bear season and rules brochures are available at all Fish and Game license vendors or online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. To prevent mistaken identity, bear hunters must learn to accurately identify black bears and distinguish them from grizzly bears, often in poor light conditions and possibly from long distances. Hunters are urged to learn more by visiting the bear identification training program available on Fish and Game's website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/education/bearIdentification/.