Managers Propose More Crane Permits

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will decide whether to approve changes to the sandhill crane rules that would allow hunters to harvest more cranes. The Commission meets in Montpelier from May 18 to 20. The new proposal would allow 440 permits compared to 261 that were issued last year. The increase is based on allocations set by the multi-agency flyway committee, which oversees the management of migratory species. The flyway committee expects more cranes to be flying over the fields of southeast Idaho this year. The proposal would allow a two bird daily bag limit and a season limit of nine. Hunters would get their first tag using the current draw method and then would be eligible to purchase eight additional "leftover" tags from any vendor. The cost for each crane permit and tag is $27.50 plus an application fee of $6.25.