Idaho Fish and Game commission has two proposed hunting seasons out for public review and comment. People can comment by going to Survey and Comment page. Deadline to comment is Aug. 6.
Sage grouse
Idaho Fish and Game is scoping two options for the 2018 sage-grouse season:
- Option 1 is the same as the season offered in 2017.
- Option 2 would close the northwest portion of Owyhee County to hunting in 2018. This area has been impacted by the 2015 Soda Fire. Counts of males on leks have declined from 160 birds in 2015 to 69 in 2018. In addition, recent information from radio-collared birds indicates this population is experiencing high mortality and may be isolated from the remainder of Owyhee County.
Red Squirrel
The Fish and Game Commission reclassified red squirrels to an upland game animal in August, 2017, which was formalized by the Legislature during the 2018 legislative session.
Red squirrels are widespread and abundant, and considered upland game animals in many states. Fish and Game is proposing a red squirrel season, concurrent with rabbit and hare seasons, as follows:
- Aug. 30 through March 31
- Daily bag: 8
- Possession: 24