Short Range Season Only in 32

Deer hunting in Unit 32 is over for the year for rifle hunters but part of the unit remains open until the end of the year for hunters using short-range weapons. A number of hunters have indicated they are confused about the boundaries and rules for the short-range hunt and some have interpreted the rulebook, incorrectly, to continue hunting with rifles. Fish and Game established a short-range weapons season in part of Unit 32, as it has in similar areas of Idaho where game densities are relatively high but the concentration of people, livestock and structures is also high, too great to allow the safe use of long-range weapons. Short-range weapons allowable in these hunts are muzzleloader, archery equipment, crossbow, or shotgun using slugs or shot of size #00 buck or larger. The part of Unit 32 that does remain open to deer hunting with short-range weapons until December 31 is generally the agricultural area from Montour downstream through the Emmett valley north of the river. There is no hunting allowed within the Emmett city limits. The open area is roughly described as from the Payette River north to the North Side Canal, with an attached strip that runs northeast to Montour. Specific boundaries are: Beginning where the Payette River crosses state highway 52 in Emmett, follow the river downstream (west) to where the North Side Main Canal flows in. Follow the canal upstream (east) to Black Canyon Dam. Follow highway 52 east around Black Canyon Reservoir and upstream along the Payette River to Montour Road. Take Montour Road south to Shalerock Road on the south side of Montour. Take Shalerock Road west until it crosses Black Canyon Canal and follow the canal downstream (west) to state highway 16. Follow the highway west to highway 52, then follow 52 north into Emmett to the Payette River, point of beginning. The open area is inside this boundary. Most of the land is the open area is privately-owned. Permission from landowners is required.