Commission to Meet in Bonners Ferry

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet at the Kootenai River Inn in Bonners Ferry July 10 and 11. There will be a public hearing at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, six miles west of Bonners Ferry, at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 9. The Thursday and Friday meetings will begin at 8:00 a.m. The commission will consider a rule change that would allow a physician assistant to sign handicapped vehicle shooting permits and handicapped archery permits as well as a doctor. It will also consider releasing one bighorn sheep tag for lottery and one for auction by nonprofit groups to raise funds for bighorn transplant and health programs. Kootenai tribal administrator Patty Perry will make a presentation on the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative. Commissioners will also take a tour of the Boundary Creek Wildlife Management Area. Thursday evening they will have a barbecue at Elk Mountain Farms for staff and invited guests. The public may attend and observe but supper will not be served. The commission will hear reports on grizzly bear management, wolf management policy, economics of hunting and fishing and experience with elk farms. A presentation will be made by the Idaho Elk Breeders Association. Other topics are also on the agenda, which is expected to run through noon on Friday.