Fish and Game Commission to Meet in Idaho Falls

After an all day trip down the South Fork of the Snake River on Wednesday, July 12, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission will start their quarterly meeting in the Upper Snake Regional office in Idaho Falls. About 9:30 Thursday morning, July 13, the commissioners will hear presentations on migratory game bird options followed at about 10:20 a.m. by a Landowner Appreciation Program pilot project proposed for 2007. After lunch, they will hear about the Fish and Game Department's 2008 budget, and an update on spring and summer Chinook salmon run sizes and fisheries. About 3:20 p.m. commissioners will hear an update on the department's wolf management program. The day ends with a public hearing set for 7 p.m. Shortly after 8 a.m. on Friday, July 14, the commissioners will release bighorn sheep tags for an auction and a lottery for the 2007 season. And at about 8:30 a.m., the commissioners will consider how best to spend animal damage control funds. The commissioners will also 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 illness and they will hear reports on the Mule Deer Initiative at 9:15 a.m. and on off-highway vehicle enforcement at 9:45 a.m. At about 10:15, there will be a few minutes for additional public comment.