Light Goose Season Opens Next Week

While most hunting seasons are now closed, the spring "light goose" season is poised to open. Beginning Saturday, February 16, the hunt stretches across portions of southern and eastern Idaho. The season on Ross's and snow geese runs through March 10 in Areas 2 and 3. The bag limit is 10 per day and 20 in possession. Area 2 includes Bingham County west of the west bank of the Snake River and the American Falls Reservoir bluff; Power County north of Interstate 86 and west of the west bank of the Snake River and the American Falls Reservoir bluff. (See map on Page 11 of the Waterfowl Seasons and Rules brochure). Area 3 includes Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls and Washington counties. Hunters are reminded that Fort Boise, including Gold Island, and Payette River wildlife management areas and the part of Roswell Marsh Wildlife Habitat Area south of State Highway 18, and the Snake River Islands Unit of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge are closed during the spring light goose season from February 16 through March 10. In addition, the restrictions on hunting waterfowl with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, and on the use of electronic calls do not apply during the light goose seasons in Idaho that occur in Areas 2 and 3 from February 16 through March 10. Only nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may be used while hunting waterfowl. For a list of approved shot go to: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/nontoxic.htm. For additional information please see the 2012 Waterfowl Seasons and Rules brochure available at all license vendors, Fish and Game offices and online at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/rules/?getPage=66. Hunters need a 2013 hunting license and a state migratory bird permit. Last year's federal duck stamp is still valid for spring 2013 hunting.