Open House Planned on Proposed Rule Changes

Idaho Fish and Game will host an open house from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 17, at the Magic Valley regional office, 319 South 417 East, Jerome, to discuss five proposed nonbiological rule changes. Proposed changes: ¥ Eliminate evidence-of-sex requirement for meat being transported from a commercial meat processor. ¥ Allow disabled archery hunters to use crossbows with nonmagnifying scopes having battery-powered or tritium-lighted reticles during archery-only hunting seasons. ¥ Allow visually-impaired hunters to use nonmagnifying scopes during muzzleloader-only hunts. ¥ Allow holders of senior combination and disabled combination licenses to apply for, and participate in, leftover youth-only deer and elk controlled hunts. ¥ Include bait containers in the current commission rules on black bear bait placement. The proposed rule changes are posted on the Fish and Game Website for public review and comment at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/public/. On-line comments must be submitted by July 14. Comments may also be submitted by mail to: Nonbiological Rules, Idaho Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise ID 83707. Nonbiological rules include equipment restrictions, controlled hunt application and eligibility requirements, possession requirements and motorized vehicle use restrictions. They do not include seasons, bag limits, size limits, sex restrictions, or species restrictions. Commissioners will take action on the proposed changes at the July 23-24, 2008 Commissioners meeting being held in the conference room at the Cabela's store in Post Falls. Other items on the agenda include sage-grouse seasons, release of bighorn sheep tags for auction and lottery, expenditure of Animal Damage Control funds, legislative proposals and migratory game birds discussions. For more information on the open house, call 208-324-4359.