Commission sets upland seasons

JEROME - Upland game bird hunters in the Magic Valley Region will see few changes for this year's hunting season. Meeting in Riggins April 22-23, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission decided to keep upland game season openers on the same dates as the last two seasons. Fish and Game biologists proposed starting quail and partridge seasons later than they have traditionally begun and running them to the end of January. The Commission decided to stay with the same opening dates as last year for all upland species. The change comes with the closing date for chukar, gray partridge and valley quail. In the Magic Valley Region, seasons on the three species will close December 31. Commissions will discuss each December the possibility of extending chukar and quail seasons to the end of January, based on biological concerns. In the Southwest, Clearwater, and Panhandle regions, seasons will close January 31. The Salmon Region will keep its January 15 closing for chukar and gray partridge. There is no quail season in the Southeast, Upper Snake or Salmon regions. Chukar and gray partridge will close December 31, in the Southeast and Upper Snake regions. The Commission reduced the daily bag limit for pheasants on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) where pheasants are stocked, from three to two birds for this fall. Motorized vehicle restrictions will apply to upland game hunters in the 26 units where the rules apply to big game hunting. Hunters in those units must keep their vehicles on roads capable of carrying full-sized rigs. In the Magic Valley Region, Units 47, 48, 49, 45, 52, 53 and 56 are included in the regulation. Seasons for forest grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse, crow, rabbit, and hare will be the same as last year. For more information, call 324-4359.