Some Upland Seasons Extended

Meeting in Riggins April 22-23, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission decided to keep upland game season openers on the same dates while extending seasons for quail and partridge in three regions. Fish and Game biologists proposed starting quail and partridge seasons later than they have traditionally begun and running them to the end of January. The Commission decided to stay with the same opening dates as last year for all upland species but to extend the season on chukar, gray partridge and quail through January 31 in the Southwest, Clearwater and Panhandle Regions. Commissioners from the eastern side of the state said the later closing would not work there because snows more commonly make game birds more vulnerable, so seasons on those three species in the Magic Valley Region will close December 31. There is no quail season in the Southeast, Upper Snake or Salmon regions, where chukar and gray partridge will close December 31. The Salmon Region will keep its January 15 closing for chukar and gray partridge. Seasons for forest grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse, crow, rabbit and hare will be the same as last year. The Commission reduced the daily bag limit for pheasants on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) where pheasants are stocked to two for this fall. Pheasant hunting will begin at 10 a.m. on the Fort Boise, C.J. Strike, Montour and Payette WMAs to reduce conflict with waterfowl hunters and increase safety for employees releasing pheasants. Motorized vehicle restrictions will apply to upland game hunters in the 26 units where the rules apply to big game hunting. Hunters in those units must keep their vehicles on roads capable of carrying full-sized rigs.