Public Comments Sought on Big Game Season Proposals

Although we are in late February, Idaho Fish and Game Wildlife Managers are already thinking about the fall hunting seasons, and they want your input. Big game scoping meetings are coming up throughout Idaho. Fish and Game uses the meetings to share data on big game populations and harvest goals with hunters. At the meetings, hunters have the opportunity to tell Fish and Game how they think hunting seasons should be set up to meet those harvest goals. Biologists, administrators and commissioners carefully consider hunter input in deciding when seasons should begin, how long they should last, and what methods of take are most appropriate. Meetings have been scheduled in the Panhandle Region: February 18 (Saturday), 8 pm: St. Maries, Elks Lodge February 25 (Saturday), 7 am: Silver Valley, Enaville Resort February 27 (Monday), 7-9 pm: Coeur d'Alene, IDFG Office Due to continued improvement in elk calf production as shown by mid winter aerial surveys, IDFG is proposing to add two days to the antlerless elk season (commonly called the "cow season") for hunters holding the Panhandle Zone B tag. The proposed addition of two days will assure there are always two weekend days in this popular season. While aerial surveys are still being conducted, raw data indicates over 40 calves per hundred cows. Even with a 7 day "cow season", elk populations will continue to grow. IDFG is proposing no changes to white-tailed deer or mule deer seasons in the Panhandle Region. The bear season proposal is to add two weeks to the start of the fall season in Units 2,3 and 5 to match the season start of adjacent units. No change is proposed for lion seasons, however hunters should expect a possible reduction in season length to be proposed in coming years. IDFG is proposing dropping the controlled either sex elk hunt in the Priest Lake area. The hunt was a trial run last year, and public support for the hunt appears to be very limited. Hunters at the meeting will be asked to comment on a proposal to add 30 either sex elk permits to the muzzleloader controlled hunt, increasing the permit level from 20 to 50. Meeting participants will also be asked their thoughts on the Unit 1 controlled hunt for any deer. Currently 50 permits are available valid from August 30-December 1. Anyone needing special accommodations to attend any of the meetings should notify Jim Hayden, IDFG Wildlife Manager, at 769-1414, or call the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-877-3529(TDD). Comments may also be made by e-mail by February 27 to jhayden@idfg.idaho.gov. All comments received at the meetings or via e-mail will be forwarded to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for consideration at their March 1-3 regular meeting.