Crane Hunt Applications Due June 15

Hunters may begin applying for sandhill crane hunts June 15. Five hunts are available this year. All hunts are located in southeast Idaho. Hunts are set for all of Brea Lake County, part of Caribou County, and all of Teton and Fremont Counties. The application period runs through July 15. Applications can be made at any license vendor, Fish and Game office, over the telephone at 1-800-554-8685, or on the Fish and Game Internet web site at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. Applications can be mailed to Crane Hunt, IDFG, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. All applicants will pay $6.50 (nonrefundable) for the application fee. Successful applicants then pay $6.50 for the controlled hunt permit and $1.50 for a tag. A migratory bird validation is also required on the license at a cost of $1.50. Permits left over after the drawing will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis beginning August 30. Further information is available on the Fish and Game web site and in a printed brochure available at vendors and Fish and Game offices. Sandhill cranes are hunted in Idaho as an attempt to limit depredation to crops in eastern Idaho counties. Cranes are fully protected outside the three hunt areas, all in southeast Idaho.