Idaho Duck Hunters Offered Options

Idaho Fish and Game wants to know whether duck hunters prefer a hunting season just like last year's or would rather cut back their season in light of declining flights. Hunters can answer a questionnaire available at regional Fish and Game offices or on the Internet at before August 18. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet in a telephone conference August 24 to make a final decision on the duck season. Continent-wide, duck populations have declined a little from last year but are in reasonably good shape. That is why federal authorities have given Idaho and other states the chance to hold a duck season just like last year's. Most of the northern-reared ducks headed for Idaho, however, come from southwest Alberta. There, drought has continued and pond habitat lost. Numbers may be down substantially from last fall, a year when some Idaho duck hunters were already questioning the liberal hunting season. Goose numbers have continued strong and no change to the goose season is proposed. For the 2004-2005 duck hunting season, Fish and Game is looking at three options: Fish and Game would like to know if you support a liberal duck season (107 days) or a moderate season (86 days). All options include: - 60-day season for pintails and canvasbacks. The pintail and canvasback season would start on the opening date for duck season and would run concurrent with the duck season for 60 days. - Snipe and coot season would be the same as duck season. - Two-day youth hunt, September 25-26, youth ages 12-15 Liberal season option includes: 7 duck daily bag limit - 2 mallard hens - 1 canvasback - 1 pintail - 4 scaup - 1 redhead Both moderate seasons options include: 7 duck daily bag limit - 5 mallards, only 2 mallard hens - 1 canvasback - 1 pintail - 4 scaup - 1 redhead Hunt Area 1: Panhandle, Clearwater, Southeast, Upper Snake, Salmon, and part of the Magic Valley region. Hunt Area 2: Southwest and part of the Magic Valley region. Duck Hunt Area 1: Option 1. Liberal season (105 days) - Oct 2-Jan.14 Option 2. Moderate season (84 days), early start - Oct 2-Dec 24 Option 3. Moderate season (84 days), late start - Oct 9-Dec 31 Duck Hunt Area 2: Option 1. Liberal season (105 days) - Oct 9-Jan. 21 Option 2. Moderate season (84 days), early start - Oct 9-Oct 15, Nov 1-Jan 16 Option 3. Moderate season (84 days), late start - Oct 23-Jan 14