Controlled Hunts Dropped for Fall Turkey

Turkey hunters all over Idaho can hunt this year's fall seasons without having gone through the controlled hunt process. This is the first year since fall turkey seasons were established in Idaho that all hunts are general, meaning hunters can simply buy a turkey tag over the counter rather than applying earlier in the year. All but one hunt began September 15. Hunting ends October 31 in Units 1, 2 (except Farragut State Park and Farragut WMA), 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 73, 74, 75, and 77. October 9 is the end of the season in Units 8, 8A, 10A, 11, 11A, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. The fall hunt ends October 4 in Units 22, 23, 24, 31, 32, 32A, 33 and 39. A late season in Units 8, 8A and 10A runs November 21 through December 10. Only one turkey, either sex, may be taken in fall hunts. No one may take more than two turkeys per year, so fall tags are not available to hunters who killed two birds in the spring. Hunters who bought a late spring/fall tag for the spring season but did not fill that tag may use it in the fall hunt. Success in fall hunts was about 42 percent last year. Idaho's wild turkey populations have generally grown rapidly in recent years. Favorable conditions for game birds this year indicate good turkey hunting this fall.