Big Game Public Meetings Scheduled

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) has scheduled public meetings to discuss proposed deer, elk, bear and mountain lion hunting seasons for 2004. Meetings will be held on the following dates: February 28: 7am; Enaville, Enaville Resort (Snake-Pit Restaurant) , Cd'A River Road. March 2: 7 pm; Coeur d'Alene, IDFG office, 2750 Kathleen Ave. March 2: 7 pm; Sandpoint, Bonner County Wildlife Building, Bonner County Fairgrounds March 6: 8am; St. Maries, Elks Lodge, 628 Main St. "Aerial surveys this month have shown good cow:calf ratios. The healthy elk herds should provide hunters a good opportunity to have an exciting season this fall", according to Panhandle Region Wildlife Manager Jim Hayden. Only a few season changes are proposed for Panhandle units. The proposal calls for opening the Panhandle elk rifle season and the deer rifle season in units 4, 7 and 9 on October 9. This is one day earlier than the traditional opening date of October 10. Hayden added, "October 9 falls on a Saturday, and Monday is a holiday, so the proposal would give hunters the full, three day weekend to hunt". The proposal calls for the same closing dates, resulting in a season one day longer than in recent years. The bear season proposal includes the addition of two weeks to the end of the 2005 spring bear season in units 4, 4A, and 6. Anyone with a disability requiring special accommodations to attend any of these meetings, should notify Jim Hayden at 769-1414 at least 48 hours in advance.