Commission Extends Seasons Due to Fires

Meeting by conference call September 5, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to extend some general seasons and controlled hunts in areas affected by wildfire closures. In the Selway (antlered-only) and Middle Fork (any elk) elk zones, the commission changed the B tag elk hunt to run from September 15 through November 30. Previously that season was set to run through September, then close during October. Fire-related area closures and damage to trails in and around the Frank Church and Selway-Bitterroot wilderness areas will impact hunters even after the fires. The extended season will allow hunters to work around those obstacles. The Selway Zone includes game management units 16A, 17, 19 and 20. The Middle Fork Zone includes units 20A, 26 and 27. In the Salmon Zone, which includes Units 21, 21A, 28 and 36B, hunters may use the commission-approved Special Fire Closure Refund and Exchange Policy to either obtain a rain check for next year, a refund, or exchange their elk tag for another zone if the closures remain in effect. No changes in elk seasons are planned for the Salmon Zone. In the Sawtooth zone, which includes units 33, 34,35 and 36, there are no season changes planned. Hunters who planned to hunt the closed portion of Unit 36 may use the commission-approved Special Fire Closure Refund and Exchange Policy to either obtain a rain check for next year, a refund, or exchange their elk tag for another zone if the closures remain in effect. Deer hunters will also be impacted by closures in wilderness areas. General-season deer hunts cannot be extended in most cases because they are immediately followed by controlled hunts. Controlled hunt number 1009 in Unit 20A, 1014 in Unit 26 and 1015 in Unit 27 have all been extended to end on Nov. 30, matching the newly-approved closing date for elk seasons. Previously they were set to close November 18. Ten bighorn sheep hunts with a total of 43 permits in Idaho's backcountry will be affected by area closures. The Commission has decided to extend them to give hunters the opportunity to hunt in the event that closures are lifted by land management agencies. Hunt numbers 5002, 5003, 5004, 5006, 5007, 5008, 5009 and 5010 will all close October 31. Previously they were set to close October 13. Hunts 5014 and 5015 will close November 10 rather than October 31. Similar extensions have been approved for four mountain goat hunts with a total of ten permittees. Hunt numbers 6004, 6005, 6006 and 6012 have all been extended to close on November 30, rather than November 12. Moose hunters in 12 hunts with a total of 46 permits will get a week extension, with the closing date set for November 30 rather than November 23. This includes hunt numbers 3036, 3039, 3057, 3058, 3063, 3064, 3066, 3067, 3068, 3069 and 3071.