Public Comments Wanted on Trophy Species Seasons and Big Game Hunting Equipment Restrictions

LEWISTON - The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) wants to hear from hunters about proposed changes to the 2007-2008 moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat seasons and several potential changes to hunting equipment restrictions. An open house meeting is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., December 13, at the Lewiston IDFG office, 3316 16th Street, where hunters can visit with Department personnel about the proposed changes and provide their written comments. Proposed changes for bighorn sheep in the Clearwater Region include replacing the _ curl rule definition of a legal ram and replace it with an "any ram" rule, and adding a late hunt in Unit 17 with one permit. For mountain goat, Fish and Game is considering combining the two hunts in Unit 10 into one hunt and reducing the number of permits from four to two. No changes are being proposed for moose seasons in the Clearwater Region. Most of the current big game hunting equipment restrictions for archery, muzzleloader, and centerfire were adopted by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission in 1991. Since many advancements in hunting equipment technology and availability has occurred since that time, Fish and Game is seeking public comments on a number of equipment issues including: the use of lighted reticles "Red Dot" scopes, maximum caliber restriction on center fire rifles, bow let off, arrow weight and length, traditional muzzleloader definition, muzzleloader opportunity along with minimum caliber and projectiles weights for the pursuit of both big game and trophy game. For those unable to attend the open house, the proposals and comment forms will be available by mid-December on Fish and Game website, http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/; or by calling the Clearwater Region office at (208)799-5010. All comments will be summarized and presented to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for their review prior to their January 10-12 meeting in Boise.