Fish and Game Changes Some Sage-Grouse Seasons

Sage-grouse seasons will open on September 15 in most of the state as scheduled, with two key changes. Idaho Fish and Game has been assessing the effects of the large range fire in southeastern Owyhee County and of West Nile virus on the sage-grouse seasons in Owyhee County and statewide. The Murphy Fire burned more than 460,000 acres, including important sage-grouse habitat in eastern Owyhee County. In response, Fish and Game has closed the season east of the Bruneau River in Owyhee County. The western part of Owyhee County will be open for sage-grouse hunting. Lek counts this year were less than half the five-year average in the Magic Valley north of the Snake River. The cause of the decline is unknown but may be related to West Nile virus. The area north of the Snake River, including all areas open to sage-grouse hunting in Elmore, Camas, Jerome, Gooding, Lincoln, Minidoka and Blaine counties, the season will open September 15 and run seven days. The limit is one bird per day and two in possession. Monitoring has not recorded any sage-grouse deaths from West Nile virus in Owyhee County and only one on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. Last year, an outbreak of the virus in these areas prompted Fish and Game to close the sage-grouse season in Owyhee County. That part of Owyhee County will reopen this year. Hunters are encouraged to check the 2006-2007 Upland Game rule brochure for sage-grouse season dates and bag limits. The two changes listed above will not be 1 in the rule book.