Proposal Would Give Landowners Controlled Hunt Permits

Contact: Southwest Region: Jon Rachael, 465-8465. Magic Valley Region: Randy Smith, 324-4350 Meeting by conference call June 11, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted to take public input on a proposal which would set aside ten percent of "any buck" controlled hunt permits in four game management units for landowners who qualify for Landowner Appreciation Permits. Fish and Game will take comments on the proposal until its July 10 meeting when the Commission will take action. Beginning in the 2002 season, landowners would be eligible for ten percent of the November mule deer buck controlled hunt permits in units 40, 41, 42 and 56. These management units now have general seasons restricted to two-point or smaller deer. The proposal originated with the Fish and Game Advisory Committee, which was formed by the legislature to deal with wildlife depredation issues and landowner-sportsman problems. The Landowner Appreciation Permit Program was developed to compensate landowners for providing habitat for wildlife in an area where they cannot hunt because there is no general season. To qualify for a Landowner Appreciation Permit, a person, partnership or corporation must pre-register proof of ownership of 640 or more acres, all within one controlled hunt area. The permits may be used by the landowner or his/her "designated agent." To comment, send written remarks to Landowner Permits, Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707 or your regional Fish and Game office. You can also comment by email. Visit the Fish and Game web site at www2.state.id.us/fishgame and click on "Feedback" for the email form. Public meetings will be held in the Southwest Region, where most of the landowners and most of the public are. All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. Dates compensate landowners for providing habitat for wildlife in an area where they and locations are: Tuesday, June 26 at Marsing Elementary School; Wednesday, June 27 at the Hunter Education Center, 109 W 44th Street in Garden City; and Thursday, June 28 at the Fish and Game Regional Office, 3101 S. Powerline Road in Nampa.