Idaho Fish and Game offers new opportunities for big game hunting

JEROME - With the increasing mule deer numbers in many parts of the Magic Valley Region, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will be increasing permit numbers in Units 54, and 55. For antlered deer in Unit 54, permit numbers will be increased from 450 to 550. In Unit 55, antlered permits will go from 350 to 450. A new antlerless hunt will also be implemented this fall in Unit 55 with 100 permits available. In Unit 49, 300 permits will also be offered for antlerless deer (same as in 2004). "Over the past three years we have seen herd growth in these units," said Randy Smith, Idaho Fish and Game Regional Wildlife Manager. "Because of this reason, we are able to offer more opportunity to hunters." One of the most exciting new options for sportsmen this fall is the location for the rotation either-sex traditional muzzleloader hunt. The hunt is being moved to Unit 45 and 52. To make good on the Department's promise of returning this hunt to Unit 45, other changes had to be made to the season structure in these Units which include: ¥ Rotate the either-sex traditional muzzleloader hunt to Unit 45 (east of the Bliss-Hill City Road) 125 permits. This hunt will go from Oct. 15 to Nov. 5. ¥ In Unit 52A, 75 traditional muzzleloader permits from Nov. 10 - 24 (this will replace the 10-permit any-weapon hunt in Unit 52A). ¥ Eliminate the Nov. 10 - 24 hunt in Units 45 and 52 (total reduction of 60 permits). ¥ Move the Unit 45 traditional muzzleloader hunt to Oct. 1 - 14, and reduce the number of permits to 15. ¥ Move antlered hunts in Unit 45 and 52 to Oct. 15 to Nov. 5. There will be 65 permits in Unit 45, west of the Bliss-Hill City Road (a reduction of 10 permits). ¥ Antlerless hunts in Units 45 and 52 will be Nov. 15 - 30. "It sounds like a lot of changes," said Smith, "but now we are able to offer the traditional muzzleloader hunt we promised and to reduce the pressure on the mature bucks. That has been one of the concerns of many of the hunters we spoke to." "The main concern many sportsmen had is they haven't been seeing as many quality bucks in Unit 45, with this reduction in tags and moving the season," he said. "We feel this will reduce the number of the mature bucks harvested to insure a strong herd for the future." General deer season dates will remain the same as last year in the Magic Valley Region, going from Oct. 10 - 31. For elk in the Magic Valley Region, changes have been made to increase opportunity and insure their future. ¥ Implement a 20-permit antlerless-only landowner permission hunt on private lands only in Unit 54, from Aug. 15 to Sept. 30. ¥ Eliminate the late antlered, antlerless, and either sex hunts in Unit 43. ¥ Establish a new youth, 150- permit antlerless hunt in Units 44, 45, and 52, from Nov. 10 - 30. ¥ Reduce 100 antlerless permits in Unit 44, to accommodate the new youth hunt. ¥ Eliminate the late 50-permit antlered hunt in Units 45 and 52 and add the 50 permits into the Oct. 15 to Nov. 9 hunt. ¥ Implement a new 125-permit antlerless hunt in Unit 48 south of Deer Creek and the western portion of Unit 44. The hunt will go from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15. ¥ Move the A-tag spike- only season in the Bennett Zone to Nov. 10 -16, to avoid overlap with the antlered deer season. To help current depredations for pronghorn gathering on private lands in the winter months and late summer, the Department has implemented two changes to the season. ¥ Implement a 50-permit, doe/fawn, landowner permission hunt on private land only in Unit 45. The hunt will go from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31. ¥ Change 25-permit doe/fawn hunt in Units 46, 54, and 47 (east of Salmon Falls Creek) to landowner permission hunt on private land only. The hunt will go from Aug. 15 to Oct. 24. A change to the 2006 hunting regulations in the Magic Valley Region was made to the mountain lion season. The dogs prohibited season will be standardized to go from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, in all Units. Regulations should be available May 1 at local vendors or on-line at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ by April 15.