Bird Seasons Begin

The first of Idaho's fall game bird seasons begin September 1 with hunting seasons for mourning doves, forest grouse and sandhill cranes. Hunters will find dove hunting rules and legal shooting times on a one-page flyer at license vendors and Fish and Game offices as well as on the department website at fishandgame.idaho.gov. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset with legal times for each day of the 30-day season listed on the flyer. Dove limits are 10 daily with 20 in possession after the first day. A $1.75 federal migratory bird harvest information program validation is required for both dove and crane hunting Non-toxic shot is not required for shooting doves or cranes. Sandhill cranes are hunted under a controlled hunt system, the application period for which has passed. Forest grouse include ruffed, spruce and blue grouse. The season runs from September 1 through December 31 with a daily limit of four (whether all of one or mixed species) and eight in possession after the first day. Only a valid hunting license is required for hunting forest grouse. The seasons for sage grouse, quail, and partridge begin September 17 while early fall general turkey hunts begin September 15. A separate permit is required for hunting sage and sharp-tailed grouse. Turkey hunters will need tags.