Commission to Consider Motor Vehicle Change

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will consider a proposal to apply motor vehicle rules to more units in the Southwest Region. The change is among several changes under consideration for the 2006 hunting season. The rule governing all motor vehicle use in hunting, including ATVs, has not changed for several years. Motor vehicles may be used as an aid in hunting only on established roads capable of travel by and open to full sized vehicles. The rule is applied in selected units all over the state. But complaints from hunters led the Southwest Region officials to look at applying the rule to additional game management units. "We gathered comment on the state's mule deer initiative action plan last year, and the number one comment we received from hunters was the need for additional ATV restrictions," Fish and Game wildlife biologist Jake Powell said. "So, we've developed a proposal calling for additional ATV restrictions throughout the Southwest Region. And now we'd like to hear from the public regarding that proposal." The proposed change would be considered during the commission meeting this week. A public comment period starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Trophy Room at Fish and Game headquarters in Boise.