September is finally here, and many of the fall upland bird hunting seasons are about to begin.
Tuesday, August 30 marked the start of the forest grouse season, which includes ruffed, spruce and dusky grouse. The season in northern Idaho runs through January 31 and through December 31 in the rest of the state. The daily limit is four, whether all of one or mixed species, and 12 in possession.
The general fall turkey season opens September 15 in portions of the Panhandle, Clearwater, and Southeast regions. The daily bag limit is one turkey of either sex per day in the fall, except in Units 1, 2 (except Farragut State Park and Farragut WMA), 3 and 5, where up to five turkeys may be taken in a day during the fall season. The beard or leg of wild turkey must be left naturally attached to the carcass while being transported.
Turkey hunters need a valid hunting license and appropriate turkey tag. Three types of turkey tags are available. For more details, see pages 16-25 of the 2016-17 Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules brochure.
Chukar and gray partridge seasons run from September 17 through January 31, 2017. The daily bag limit is eight chukar and eight gray partridge, and the possession limit is 24 chukar and 24 gray partridge.
Bobwhite and California quail seasons run from September 17 through January 31, 2017. The daily bag limit is 10 total, and the possession limit is 30 total. Area 2 in eastern Idaho is closed.
Hunters need only a valid hunting license to hunt quail, chukar, gray partridge and forest grouse.
The seven-day sage-grouse season runs from September 17 through September 23, with a one-bird daily limit and a two-bird possession limit. A season information brochure, including a map of areas open to sage-grouse hunting, is available at license vendors, Fish and Game offices and online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/rules/upland-furbearer-turkey
Sharp-tailed grouse opens from October 1 through 31, with a two-bird daily limit and six-bird possession limit. Hunters are reminded that because both species can occur in the same areas in south-central and eastern Idaho, identification of species is important as sharptails cannot be taken during the sage-grouse season. A separate permit that costs $4.75 is required for hunting sage- and sharp-tailed grouse.
Hunters should consult the 2016-17 Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules brochure available at all Fish and Game license vendors or online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/rules/upland-furbearer-turkey.