Deer Season Opens in Southern Idaho

Got tags? The regular deer season opens October 10 in most regions of Idaho. In some areas, a regular deer tag allows hunters to take either mule deer or white-tailed deer. A white-tailed deer tag allows hunter to take only a whitetail. Many areas across the state also offer antlerless youth hunt opportunities, but check the big game rules brochure carefully for the areas where youth hunts are open. To hunt deer in Idaho during the regular season, a resident hunter must have valid 2006 hunting license and a resident deer tag. Idaho Department of Fish and Game law enforcement officials ask that hunters report any poaching or suspicious activities they encounter or hear about while hunting. Most serious poaching cases are cracked and won only with the help of ordinary Idaho residents, hunters or others who report crimes. In January, a local resident reported someone had shot a deer during a closed season. The poacher was successfully prosecuted and the caller received a $250 reward from Citizens Against Poaching. In another case, a caller reported four elk and a deer shot out of season. The case involved multiple violations, including closed season, tag transfers, hunting without a valid deer tag and possession of unlawfully taken wildlife. The caller was vital to the successfully prosecuted case and received a $250 CAP reward. Officials urge hunters with information about a wildlife crime to call the Citizens Against Poaching hot-line at 1-800-632-5999, 24 hours a day. Calls are more helpful when they include the time and place of the activity, a report of what happened and a full description of the people and the vehicles, such as make, year, color and license. Callers to CAP may remain anonymous. They also may call the nearest Fish and Game office or local law enforcement. Hunters are also encouraged to pick up a free copy of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's backcountry game meat care guide. The guide has helpful tips to ensure proper handling of game to avoid wasting the meat. The guide is available at Fish and Game offices and license vendors. And for help planning their hunt, hunters can use the hunt planner on department's Website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner. Remember to ask first before hunting on private land.