Commissioners to Meet in Post Falls

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet in the conference room in the Cabela's store in Post Falls July 23 and 24. The two-day meeting will start with a field trip to the Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area and the Pack River Delta on Wednesday, July 23. A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. in Cabela's Conference Room, 101 N. Cabela Way, Post Falls. In the morning of July 24, commissioners will consider rules allowing a disabled applicant to self-certify that they are capable of holding, or holding and firing, without assistance from other persons, legal hunting and fishing equipment. Commissioners also will consider a Fisheries Bureau request for a 30-day public comment period on a draft white sturgeon management plan, and they will consider the release of auction and lottery bighorn sheep tags for 2009 to be marketed by the Wild Sheep Foundation. They also will hear an update on the Chinook salmon fishery. After lunch, commissioners will consider rules for vendors and lifetime licenses, and they will hear an overview of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. Next they will take up five proposed nonbiological rule changes. Nonbiological rules include equipment restrictions, controlled hunt application and eligibility requirements, possession requirements and motorized vehicle use restrictions. They do not include seasons, bag limits, size limits, sex restrictions, or species restrictions. The proposed changes are posted on the Fish and Game Website - http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/public. Other items on the commission agenda include a review of the 2008 status of Idaho's duck, goose and sage-grouse populations as well as Department proposals for 2008 seasons. Commissioners also will consider the expenditure of Animal Damage Control funds, legislative proposals, and an update on the Farragut shooting range.