June 2008

Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public comments on five proposed rule changes this summer. Fish and Game has proposed five changes that would:

• Eliminate evidence-of-sex requirement for meat being transported from a commercial meat processor.
• Allow disabled archery hunters to use crossbows with nonmagnifying scopes having battery powered or tritium lighted reticles during archery-only hunting seasons.
• Allow visually impaired hunters to use nonmagnifying scopes during muzzleloader-only hunts.
• Allow holders of senior combination and disabled combination licenses to apply for, and participate in, leftover youth-only deer and elk controlled hunts.
• Include bait containers in the current commission rules on black bear bait placement.

The proposed rule changes will be posted on the Fish and Game Website for public review and comment. Comments must be submitted by July 14. Comments may also be submitted by mail to: Nonbiological Rules, IDFG, P.O. Box 25, Boise ID 83707. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission would consider any big game nonbiological rule changes during its July meeting. In the past, most big game nonbiological rule changes have been made in January. But a moratorium for state agencies prohibits rule changes from mid-November through the following legislative session. Nonbiological rules include equipment restrictions, controlled hunt application and eligibility requirements, possession requirements and motorized vehicle use restrictions. They do not include seasons, bag limits, size limits, sex restrictions, or species restrictions. Commissioners will meet July 23-25 in the conference room at the Cabela's store in Post Falls. Other items on the agenda include sage-grouse seasons, release of bighorn sheep tags for auction and lottery, expenditure of Animal Damage Control funds, legislative proposals and migratory game birds discussions.

Did you know that Southern Idaho is a cold desert? Join the Morrison Knudsen Nature Center in exploring the lives of desert animals. Find out about the fascinating and diverse desert animals that call Idaho home. Each session learn about a different desert animal and make art to take home. Join the fun from 12:30-2:30 p.m. July 9, July 30, August 6, August 13 in the Nature Center courtyard, on South Walnut in Boise behind the Idaho Fish and Game headquarters. No fees. For information call 208-334-2225.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has scheduled a hunting clinic to introduce the sport of hunting to women; and, to help female hunters further their hunting skills. The fifteenth annual Panhandle Region "Women in Hunting" clinic will be from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Coeur d'Alene Rifle and Pistol Club, 5105 Atlas Road, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Space is limited and reservations are required. To register, call Fish and Game at 208-769-1414. The "Women in Hunting" clinic has become a popular annual event, with much of the popularity attributed to the fact that all the instructors are women who already enjoy the sport of hunting. They are volunteering their time to teach other women about the sport. The instructors have developed an effective team approach with each instructor researching and specializing in a subject area. Past participants have enjoyed the clinics because they appreciate the fact that the instructors are all women who have hunting experience. Topics covered at the "Women in Hunting" clinic include firearm safety, hunting regulations - how and why they were developed - preparation for the field, map and compass use, and hunting ethics. More women and girls are taking up hunting, which has often been viewed as an activity that men practice. In fact, female hunters comprise the fastest growing segment of the hunting public. Husbands are encouraging their wives to take up hunting so they can enjoy additional time together in the outdoors. Mothers are learning to hunt to develop an activity they can enjoy with their children. Parents are sending their daughters to hunter education classes so they can learn safe gun handling. Many girls who have completed the class make the decision to become hunters.

Salmon fishing will close at the end of fishing Sunday, June 22, on the Middle Fork Clearwater, the Snake, and Lower Salmon rivers. Salmon fishing will close at the end of fishing hours on Sunday, June 22, on:

• Middle Fork Clearwater River from its mouth upstream to the confluence of Lochsa and Selway rivers.
• Snake River from Dug bar boat ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.
• Lower Salmon River mainstem from the Hammer Creek Boat ramp upstream to Shorts Creek, about 1.4 miles upstream of the mouth of the Little Salmon River.

Salmon fishing will remain open in the North Fork Clearwater River below Dworshak Dam, the South Fork Clearwater River, the Lochsa River, and the Little Salmon River. Clearwater River: Fishery managers for the Idaho Fish and Game estimate that as of June 15, anglers caught 64 percent of the state's harvest share of adult hatchery Chinook salmon returning to the Clearwater River drainage. They estimate that by June 22, the state's share of salmon destined for the Kooskia Fish Hatchery will be met. To ensure sufficient brood stock reaches the Kooskia Hatchery, it is necessary to close salmon fishing in the Middle Fork Clearwater River. Within the Clearwater River drainage, Chinook fishing will remain open in the North Fork Clearwater, South Fork Clearwater and Lochsa rivers. Fish and Game will provide updates on fishery status and potential closures in the Clearwater River basin every Monday until the season closes. Fish and Game expects some salmon fishing in the Clearwater River basin to remain open through the July Fourth weekend. All salmon fishing in the Clearwater River basin will close once the remainder of the state's harvest share of Clearwater River hatchery salmon has been caught.

Salmon fishing on the mainstem Clearwater River downstream of the South Fork Clearwater River closed at the end of fishing hours Sunday, June 15. Fishery managers for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game estimate that as of June 8 anglers had harvested about 50 percent of the state's harvest share of adult hatchery Chinook salmon returning to the Clearwater River drainage. By June 15, anglers had caught about 64 percent. Harvest is estimated by daily angler surveys. To ensure sufficient fishing opportunities in the tributaries, the state's remaining harvest share will be used to continue existing fisheries. These fisheries include North Fork Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater, South Fork Clearwater and Lochsa rivers. Fishing is expected to improve on these rivers, but so far have accounted for only 7 percent of the harvest. To ensure sufficient harvest opportunities in the South Fork Clearwater and Lochsa rivers, additional closures could occur in the future on the North Fork Clearwater and Middle Fork Clearwater rivers. Fishery managers will provide an update on fishery status and potential fishery closures in the Clearwater River basin every Monday until the season closes. By managing the remaining portion of the state's harvest share in this manner, fishery managers expect some salmon fishing in the Clearwater River basin to remain open through the July 4 weekend. All salmon fishing in the Clearwater River basin will close once the remainder of the state's harvestable share of Clearwater River hatchery Chinook salmon is harvested. Jack Chinook salmon and adult Chinook are each defined by regulation and have separate bag limits. The jack bag limit is two per day and six in possession statewide. By regulation, jacks should not be recorded on the salmon permit. Adult bag limits are fishery specific and all adults must be recorded on the permit card. An angler must cease fishing when he or she has caught the adult bag limit.