F&G Seeks Comments on Waterfowl Seasons

Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public comments on proposed waterfowl seasons for 2009, including a new spring hunt on light geese in parts of the state. Fish and Game has received the waterfowl season framework from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees waterfowl management at the national level. The season recommendations are expected to take the maximum allowed hunt days with two zones and would re-open a season on canvasbacks, increase the bag limit on pintails and continue season restrictions for scaup. This year, a 107-day fall season is proposed for Canada and greater white-fronted geese with a four-goose daily limit. In addition a two-part season is proposed for snow and Ross's geese in the Southwest, Magic Valley and Southeast regions, with a 10-goose daily limit. Fish and Game's season proposals include:

• A 107-day season for Canada and white-fronted geese would run from October 3 through January 15, 2010, in northern and eastern Idaho; and would run from October 10 through January 22, 2010, in the southwestern part of the state. - The daily bag limit would be four geese and a possession limit of eight after the first day of the season.
• A two-part season for snow and Ross's geese would run from October 23 through January 15 and February 20 through March 10 in the Southeast Region and a portion of the Magic Valley Region; from October 30 through January 22 and from February 20 through March 10, 2010, in the Southwest and the majority of the Magic Valley regions. - The daily bag limit would be 10 geese, and a possession limit of 20 after the first day.
• For most ducks, the season will be 107 days, running from October 3 through January 15, 2010, in northern and eastern Idaho; and from October 11 through January 23, 2009, in the southwestern part of the state.
• For scaup, a shorter season is proposed. It would run from October 24 through January 15 in northern and eastern Idaho; and to run from October 31 through January 22, 2009, in the southwestern part of the state.
• The season would re-open for canvasbacks in 2009.
• The daily bag limit would be seven ducks; but no more than two female mallards, two redheads, three scaup, two pintails and one canvasback. The possession limit would be twice the daily limit.
• The youth waterfowl hunt is proposed to run September 26 and 27, for those licensed youth age 15 and under.

For the spring light goose season, some areas may close because of conflicts with wintering trumpeter swans and nesting Canada geese. Closures would be announced before the seasons open. For details on the proposed seasons contact Idaho Fish and Game, or visit http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/public/. Written comments may be sent to Waterfowl Comments, IDFG, P.O. Box 25, Boise ID 83707. The deadline for comments is 5 p.m. August 14. Information collected from across the state will be summarized and presented to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, which is scheduled to consider sage-grouse seasons during a meeting Monday afternoon, August 17, in Idaho Falls.