F&G Seeks Comments on Upland Game Seasons

Idaho Fish and Game is working on recommendations for furbearer and upland game hunting season rules, except sage-grouse, for 2012-13 and 2013-14. Final recommendations will be presented to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission at the January 2012 meeting. All rules, except for sage-grouse, will be 1 in one brochure. Some ideas that will be considered include:

• Expanding youth hunting opportunities.
• Moving upland game bird seasons to the third Saturday in September.
• Increasing the chukar/gray partridge bag limit back up to 8 each.
• Increasing possession limits to three times the daily bag limit.
• Reductions in fall turkey hunting in the Southeast and Southwest regions.
• Increasing otter quotas in the Panhandle, Clearwater and Southeast regions.
• A few changes to areas open or closed to beaver trapping in the Clearwater and Magic Valley Regions.

Regional public hearings will be announced when they are set. Public comments will be accepted until January 6 at regional meetings, on a webpage that will be available on the Fish and Game website later this week or by mail to Upland Game Comments, P.O. Box 25, Boise ID 83707. Sage-grouse seasons will be set separately during the August 2012 commission meeting. Nonbiological rules are considered by the commission during summer, and then reviewed by the legislature the following winter.