Fish and Game Seeks Public Comment on Big Game Rules

Idaho Fish and Game will be gathering public comments on several proposed new rules. Fish and Game plans a series of regional public open house meetings between June 14 and June 25 to gather public comments on a list of proposed rules. The dates and locations of the meetings will be announced in the coming weeks. Comments are being sought in four general areas. 1. Proposed rules for big game, upland game would:

• Remove motorized vehicle rule restrictions from units 48 and 57.
• Prohibit shooting upland game from a watercraft.
• Allow the use of sabots in muzzleloader-only hunts.

2. A proposed bonus point system designed to improve odds of unsuccessful controlled hunt applicants in subsequent years, would:

• Apply to all species for which controlled hunts are conducted.
• Apply only to the applicant's first choice in any drawing.
• Allow hunters who do not wish to participate to opt out.
• Allow hunters to buy a bonus point without applying for that species' controlled hunts that season.
• Allow hunters to buy a bonus point in the years when rules make them ineligible to apply for certain controlled hunts.
• Cost $4.50 plus a $1.75 vendor fee.

3. Proposed 2011 upland game bird seasons would:

• Extend the forest grouse season through January 31.
• Open the forest grouse season August 30.
• Change the shooting hours for all upland game to begin at 10 a.m. on wildlife management areas where pheasants are stocked in the Southwest Region.

4. Proposed changes in the landowner appreciation program would:

• Prohibit the selling, trading, bartering, or marketing of LAP tags.
• Prohibit the use of LAP tags for any commercial activities.
• Restrict landowners who charge a trespass fee from being eligible in LAP.
• Allow all eligible landowners have a chance at one tag before any landowners receive a second tag.
• Establish a one-year waiting period in those LAP hunts hat are oversubscribed by more than 2 to 1.
• Exclude "affiliates, management companies, associated entities, wholly- owned subsidiaries, and controlling interests" from being eligible for more than a maximum of two tags per species.
• Allow landowners with 320 to 639 acres of valuable wildlife habitat to be eligible to apply for leftover LAP tags.

These proposed changes and a public comment form also will be available on the Fish and Game Website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/public/. Public meeting times and locations also will be listed at this site as they are announced. Written comments may be submitted at one of the open-house meetings, at a Fish and Game office or by mail to one of these: Big Game Comments, Bonus Point Comments, Upland Game Comments or LAP Comments c/o Idaho Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise ID 83707. The public comment period ends June 28. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will consider these proposals during a meeting July 7, 8 and 9 at the Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg.