Commission Sets Sage-grouse Seasons

Idaho Fish and Game Commission Monday, August 17, set the 2009 sage-grouse season. The season in most of Lemhi and part of Custer counties was reduced to seven days with a daily one-bird limit and two birds in possession. There were no changes in sage-grouse seasons in:

• Southwestern Owyhee County, 23-day season from September 19 through October 11, two-bird daily bag limit and four in possession.
• Northwestern Owyhee County, seven-day season from September 19 through September 25, one-bird daily bag limit and two in possession.
• Eastern Owyhee County, closed.
• Magic Valley, seven-day season, from September 19 through September 25, one-bird daily bag limit and two in possession.
• The Big Desert West of Interstate 15 and south of U.S. Highway 20, seven-day season, from September 19 through September 25, one-bird daily bag limit and two in possession.
• Curlew Grasslands in parts of Power, Oneida and Cassia counties, seven-day season, from September 19 through September 25, one-bird daily bag limit and two in possession.
• Southeastern part of the state, east of Interstate 15 and south of State Highway 26, closed.
• Most of the Upper Snake Region, 23-day season from September 19 through October 11, two-bird daily bag limit and four in possession.

The southeast, the north and most of the western part of the state is closed to sage-grouse hunting. Any person hunting sage- or sharp-tailed grouse must have in their possession a valid 2009 Idaho hunting license and a sage-/sharp-tailed grouse permit validation, cost $4.75. For additional details contact Idaho Fish and Game, or visit http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/.