Commission Sets Process for Refunds, Exchanges for Deer, Elk Tags

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has established a process for hunting license and tag rain checks, refunds or exchanges for areas closed due to fire. Hunters who have purchased tags and who can show in good faith that they intended to hunt in an area closed by the land managing agency to all recreational activity will be eligible for a refund or exchange. Requests need to be submitted by October 1, 2000. (see the basic rules for the application process after species information.) In the upcoming weeks, the Commission will consider season extensions or alterations, such as allowing Middle Fork B tag hunters to hunt the A tag elk season, which runs to the end of October. Exchange: A deer or elk tag may be exchanged for one in another area or zone, as long as tags for that zone are available. Exchanges will only be done at Fish and Game offices, or by mail. Refund: Refunds will be processed at the Fish and Game headquarters office, Licenses Section, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. Requests for refunds should be made on a form which Fish and Game will make available at offices an on the agency website, or in a personal letter. Rain Check: Hunters who want to come back in the same hunt next year should mail their license and/or tag in with a letter to that effect. If the license will be used for another hunt such as upland birds, or if the hunter will hunt deer this year but is closed out of his elk zone, only the elk tag may be refunded or held for next year. Those who have a controlled hunt permit for elk or deer where the area is closed to all recreational use are eligible for a refund of the license, permit and tag fees. If a hunter will be using the license to hunt other species, only the permit and tag fees will be refunded. Holders of deer or elk controlled hunt permits who choose a rain check for a 2001 season permit and may purchase a general hunt tag and hunt in 2000. The hunting license fee will not be refunded or exchanged for those persons exercising this option. They would have to buy a 2001 license to claim and use the rain-checked tag. The controlled hunt permit holder may mail or bring in the permit and tag to get a rain check for the same hunt next year, or exchange it for a general-season tag in the zone or area of their choice, as long as tags are available. Application and permit fees will be refunded for those hunters seeking a controlled hunt refund. Hunters who ask for a refund of a controlled hunt permit or exchange for a general season will not be required to stay out of the controlled hunt drawing next year, as would normally be the case. Some basic rules apply to all applications: Requests need to be submitted by October 1, 2000. Tag exchanges may be applied for at any Fish and Game office, rain checks and refunds will be processed at the Fish and Game headquarters office, Licenses Section, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. Requests for refunds should be made on a form which Fish and Game will make available at offices and on the agency website, or in a personal letter. Requests for refunds or rain checks must include the 2000 license/tag. These must be returned prior to hunting with them. This program applies only to permits and tags in areas closed by the land managing agency to all recreational activity. Road closures which leave an area accessible by boat, trail or secondary road do not qualify. If the license will be used to hunt another species this year, only the controlled hunt permit and tag may be refunded or held for next year. If the hunter hunts with the license and permit, it is not eligible for later refund or exchange, or holding for the 2001 season. Refunds will be for the amount paid (purchases before a May, 2000 fee increase were for smaller amounts.) Exchanges must be for the same species. You can't trade a deer tag for a moose tag. Controlled hunt waiting periods will not apply for hunters exchanging for a general-season tag in 2000 or a refund.