Most Upland Game Seasons are Still Open

Though many big game seasons are winding up, many upland game seasons are still open including several upland birds as well as cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hares. Hunters will find upland hunting rules and shooting times in the rules brochure at license vendors and Fish and Game offices as well as on the department Website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. Seasons still open include: ¥ California quail through January 31 in northern and southwestern Idaho. Closed in eastern Idaho. ¥ Chukar and gray partridge through January 31. ¥ Pheasants through December 31 in Area 1 in northern Idaho and Area 3 in southwestern Idaho; through November 30 in Area 2 in eastern Idaho. ¥ Forest grouse, which includes ruffed, spruce and dusky (blue) grouse, through December 31 in most of Idaho; and through January 31 in the Panhandle Region. ¥ Cottontail rabbits through February 28 and snowshoe hares through March 31. The daily bag limit for both is eight, with 16 in possession after the first day. There is no season on pygmy rabbits. To distinguish, note that cottontail tails are dark above and white underneath and the pygmy's tail is buffy gray with no white. The cottontail is more than a foot long, and the pygmy is less than one foot. Waterfowl seasons also are open through January 13 in Area 1, northern and eastern Idaho, and through January 27 in Area 2, Magic Valley and southwestern Idaho. Contact the local Fish and Game office to determine whether pygmy rabbits are found in your hunting area. The fall general turkey season runs through December 15 in game management units 1, 2 (except Farragut State Park and Farragut WMA) 3, 4, 4A, 5 and 6 in northern Idaho. All hunters need a valid 2011 Idaho hunting license, or a 2012 license if they hunt in 2012. Turkey hunters also will need tags.