Fish and Game Commission to Meet in Idaho Falls

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will start their quarterly meeting in the Upper Snake Region with a first-hand view of fishery management on a trip down the South Fork of the Snake on Wednesday, July 12. After preliminary business, starting at 8 a.m. Thursday July 13, the commission will get down to business by about 9:30 a.m. with a presentation on migratory game bird options in anticipation of setting fall hunting seasons later in the summer. Following the morning break, about 10:20 a.m., commissioners will hear about a Landowner Appreciation Program pilot project proposed for 2007. The commission has asked the department to develop options for recognizing the value of private lands to fish and wildlife while encouraging landowners to provide public access to or through their property for hunters, trapper and anglers. When they return from lunch Thursday, the commissioners will be treated to a status review of the Fish and Game Department's 2008 budget, followed by an update on spring and summer Chinook salmon run sizes and fisheries. Later in the day, about 3:20 p.m., commissioners will hear an update on the department's wolf management. That will be followed by an executive session if necessary. The day ends with a public hearing set for 7 p.m. The excitement begins shortly after 8 a.m. on Friday July 14, with the release of bighorn sheep tags for an auction and a lottery. The tags, for the 2007 season, would be marketed by the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. After the dust settles, the commissioners, at about 8:30 a.m., will consider how best to spend animal damage control funds. The commissioners will be asked to adopt new rules that would allow Fish and Game to issue free licenses, permits and tags to a minor child with a life-threatening disease to participate in hunts sponsored by qualified organizations. Commissioners also will hear reports on the Mule Deer Initiative and OHV enforcement. Next, there will be a few minutes for additional public comment before commissioners set off for a tour of the Museum of Idaho-the last item on the agenda.