Pheasant Hunters Reminded Of Special Rules To Hunt On Wildlife Management Areas

IDAHO FALLS - Hunters know that every season has its own special rules, but those sportsmen who choose to hunt on any number of the Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) in the state need to be aware of special regulations. Idaho is broken into three areas for pheasant management purposes, the Upper Snake Region falls within Area #2. The season here opens on October 21 and runs through November 30. On opening day the actual season does not start until noon, even on the WMA's, otherwise hunting hours run from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Pheasants are originally not native to North America, let alone Idaho. They are an exotic species that was introduced to America and the end of the 1800's. Many parts of Idaho once boasted of thriving pheasant numbers. Unfortunately, many facets of the habitat that are critical for pheasant survival and reproduction have changed dramatically in the last half century. Today, pockets of natural reproduction occur throughout the state, but many people seeking to hunt pheasants must look to pursuing game farm reared birds. For years, IDFG owned its own pheasant farm and supplied pheasants to supplement existing introduced populations. Due to economics and disease concerns, IDFG no longer produces its own pheasants and must purchase them from private vendors. According to John O'Neill, habitat biologist responsible for management of Market Lake Wildlife Management Area near Roberts, Idaho, "Our contract price works out to about $10 per bird". Hunters wishing to do some wingshooting on a WMA must purchase a WMA permit which costs $23.75 and is good for six birds. Hunters may purchase additional cards if they wish to harvest more birds. O'Neill had a word of reminder for WMA Pheasant hunters, "Hunters need to remember that they need to sign and date their permit each time they get a pheasant". Physical notching of the permit is not required and does not substitute for recording the correct information on the permit each time a bird is taken. According to O'Neill, "We've got the special youth area set aside again this year for kids 17 and under to hunt in. We'd like to suggest that adults accompanying them in the area to please refrain from harvesting birds. Every pheasant an adult shoots is potentially one less bird for the kids to get. WMA pheasant hunters need to also remember that a new regulation passed by the Idaho Fish & Game Commission requires the wearing of hunter orange by anyone hunting pheasants, rabbits, and other upland game on WMA's where pheasants are stocked. Waterfowl and big game hunters are not required to wear hunter orange on WMA's. Anyone wishing for more information about hunting for pheasants on WMA's should go to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/pheasant or call the Upper Snake Regional Office at 525-7290.