New Game Laws Take Effect

Several new laws took effect July 1 affecting the 2010 hunting seasons. Nonresidents can now buy a three-day nonresident small game hunting license. The license is valid for upland game birds, migratory game birds, cottontail rabbits, huntable furbearers and unprotected and predatory birds three consecutive days. Some species also require tags or permits. The license is valid for hunting turkeys as long as a valid tag is purchased as well. The license is not valid for hunting pheasants during the first five days of the season. The license costs $33.75, plus an issuance fee of $1.75. Two changes for the 2010 season affect holders of nonresident deer or elk tags. A nonresident deer or elk tag may be used on a black bear or mountain lion or gray wolf during the deer or elk season when the black bear, mountain lion or gray wolf season is open. The addition of gray wolf to the nonresident deer tag is new for 2010. This will be the first year a nonresident elk tag would be valid for tagging a black bear, mountain lion or gray wolf. Young turkey hunters may purchase a hunting license while they are 9 years old to apply for controlled turkey hunts, but they may not hunt until they are 10 years old.