Fish and Game to host 2005 turkey and trophy species regulations open house

JEROME - Statewide 2005 regulation recommendations for turkey, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goats are the topics of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's open house, at 868 East Main in Jerome, November 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Locally, the Idaho Fish and Game Department is proposing to increase hunting opportunity for the four species of wildlife in the Magic Valley Region. Turkeys: The Magic Valley Region is proposing to increase permits from 24 to 36 while maintaining the season dates from 2004. Last spring, 22 of 24 hunters or 92 percent of the hunters were successful at harvesting turkeys within the region. Dates and permit levels for hunting in Unit 54 would be: Youth Hunt, April 15 - May 25 --- 12 permits Controlled Hunt, April 15 - May 4 --- 12 permits Controlled Hunt, May 5 - May 25 --- 12 permits Bighorn Sheep: In hunt area 46, the Magic Valley Region is proposing a one permit increase from two to three. The Jarbidge/Bruneau bighorn population has increased over the past three years after reaching low levels in 1999-2001. The hunt was closed in 2001 and 2002 and reopened in 2003 when survey data indicated that legal-sized ram numbers had improved. Results from the June 2003 aerial survey suggest a population of at least 150 sheep with 15 legal and 29 sublegal rams. Mountain goat: The biggest change proposed is for mountain goats. Idaho Fish and Game is seeking comments on changes in hunt area boundaries and increasing permit levels in hunting Units 43, 48, 36A-1, 36A-2, and 50. Moose: Idaho Fish and Game Magic Valley Region is proposing to split hunt area 44 into two separate hunts to help distribute hunters and also increase permit numbers to allow a total of six antlered and four antlerless moose to be harvested. Sportsmen interested in commenting can stop by the office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. November 30, by calling the Magic Valley Regional Office at 324-4359, or comment on the Fish and Game website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/