Sage-Grouse Season Opens

The sage-grouse hunting season in southern Idaho opens Saturday, September 19. Sage-grouse seasons:

• 23 day season, two-bird daily limit, and four in possession after opening day: - Southwestern Owyhee County. - Most of the Upper Snake Region and Lemhi and part of Custer counties.
• Seven day season, one-bird daily limit, and two in possession after opening day: - Big Desert area West of Interstate 15 and south of U.S. Highway 20. - Northwestern Owyhee County. - Most of Lemhi and Custer counties. - Magic Valley Region and most of Butte County. - Power County and most of Oneida and County.
• Closed: - Eastern Owyhee County. - Southeastern part of the state, east of Interstate 15 and south of U.S. Highway 26. - Washington and Adams counties.

The sharp-tailed grouse season runs from October 1 through 31. Sharp-tailed grouse have been introduced into historical range in southern Twin Falls county and southeastern Owyhee County. Twin Falls County, Owyhee County and most of Cassia County are closed to the hunting of sharp-tailed grouse. Sharp-tailed grouse also occur around Split Butte area in Minidoka County. Hunting of sharp-tailed grouse is closed in Minidoka County. Any person hunting sage- or sharp-tailed grouse must have in their possession a valid hunting license with a sage- sharp-tailed grouse permit validation. The permit allows better monitoring of the harvest of this game bird. It costs $4.75 and is available at Fish and Game license vendors.