Fish & Game Needs Input on Big Game Reg Changes for 2003

For the upcoming 2003 big game seasons affecting deer, elk, antelope, and moose hunters, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (Department) is looking for input and comments on three proposed nonbiological changes. These proposed rule changes have to do with unclaimed controlled hunt permits for deer, elk and antelope, how to allocate leftover tags and permits in some unique situations, and whether or not all deer and elk hunters should be required to leave evidence of sex on harvested animals. As strange as it seems, every year approximately 7% of the successful controlled hunt applicants for deer, elk and antelope fail to claim their permits. The Department is considering making these available to other hunters as leftovers. The significant change would be setting a cut-off date for those who draw to claim their prize, after which time these permits would be available on a first come - first served basis through all state license vendors. Another leftover permit/tag problem relates back to the one just mentioned, plus problems with unfilled cow moose permits. Currently, if a hunter draws a controlled hunt permit for a buck deer or a bull elk, he must wait out one year before applying again for another antlered animal of that same species. Also, some cow moose permits go unfilled each year. So how does that affect the hunter who has already taken a once-in-a-lifetime moose? Should that individual be allowed to harvest another moose if there are cow moose permits left over? And should the one year waiting period for antlered deer and elk be dropped if a person wants to purchase a leftover permit and tag? The real difficulty that has risen is that the Point of Sale computer system cannot cross-check a hunter's application history to see if he has already killed a moose, or if he drew on an antlered deer or elk the previous year. If these current requirements were dropped how would this affect Idaho hunters? Thirdly, the current evidence of sex requirements are somewhat confusing to hunters and make enforcement difficult at times. If a season is designated as antlered only or antlerless only, the hunter is required by law to leave some evidence of sex attached to the animal, if the head is removed from the body. If the season is either sex, no evidence of sex is required. For black bear and mountain lion hunters, however, evidence of sex is required on all kills. Differences in these rules have resulted in confusion among some hunters and have complicated enforcement efforts. The Department wants to know how the big game hunting public feels about a requirement to make all deer and elk carcasses retain evidence of sex. In this region that could also apply to antelope, as the Magic Valley Region has two antelope hunts that are restricted to does or fawns. If you have any comments or further questions on these issues, please contact the Magic Valley Regional Office in Jerome at 324-4359 and pass along that information to our wildlife staff. You may also visit the Department's website to provide your input. To be effective, the Department must receive all comments on these issues no later than January 9, 2003. http://www2.state.id.us/fishgame/news/NewAdditions/survey/survey.cfm