Lifetime Limit Will Not Apply to Leftovers

If a hunter fills a moose tag purchased as a leftover tag, it will no longer count against that hunter's once-in-a-lifetime Idaho moose limit. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission decided in its January 15-17 meeting in Boise to approve a department proposal to eliminate the once-in-a-lifetime limit on moose in the case of leftover permits. The department cannot screen applicants who participate in first-come, first-served leftover permit/tag sales for once-in-a-lifetime restrictions. This inability to screen applicants during leftover sales has caused problems for some sportsmen and the department. Few people have applied for permits in some hunts, almost all for antlerless moose, because hunters did not want to use their lifetime chance at an Idaho moose in an antlerless hunt. Leftover permits are sold on a first-come, first-served basis following the drawing. Although all the permits are generally sold currently, herds that are increasing rapidly mean that more and more permits for cow moose are likely to become available. The department is seeking to ensure that these permits will be attractive to hunters because the management goal is often to protect people and property by stabilizing moose populations. Public comment on this change in rule was taken in meetings and on the department web site before the issue was presented to the Commission.