The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet in Riggins April 22 and 23

Meetings will be held at the Salmon Rapids Lodge, 1010 Main Street, beginning at 8:00 a.m. each day. There will be a public hearing at the same location at 7:00 p.m. April 21. The major item on the agenda is setting the upland bird seasons and rules for 2005-2006. Public comment is being solicited statewide in the seven Fish and Game regions. Included in the proposals: uniform starting time statewide for pheasant seasons, rather than having the southern part of the state open at noon while the northern part opens a half hour before sunrise; changing the limit from three pheasants to two daily on stocked Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) so the supply of birds lasts longer; starting time on WMAs in the Southwest Region of 10 a.m. to avoid conflict with waterfowl hunters and to allow staff to stock birds. The quail, chukar, gray partridge and sage grouse season opener would be on the fourth weekend of September rather than the third, with sharptails opening on the same weekend instead of October 1. Quail, chukar and gray partridge seasons might be extended through January 31 if the public supports the idea. Motorized vehicle rules might be established on some bird hunts. No changes are recommended for forest grouse hunting. Falconry and trapping seasons will also be set. Other action items include approval of the proposed fiscal year 2005 budget and adjustments to the commission's meeting calendar for the remainder of 2004. Legislation earlier this year gave the commission authority to set its regular quarterly meetings any time in the quarter, rather than specifying a month.