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Idaho Fish and Game

Supervised Hunts Planned For Canada Geese

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In an effort to reduce conflicts with the abundant resident Canada goose population, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will open several sites in the valley to hunting. Personnel from the three agencies will supervise all hunts. The hunts are planned for nine locations in the Lewiston/Clarkston Valley in areas normally closed to hunting. The scheduled dates are December 4, December 18 and, January 8, 2003. In addition, a youth goose hunt is planned for Friday, December 27. Youth ages 12-17 can apply individually, but will grouped with three other youth during the hunt. All youth who are successful in the drawing will be required to posses the proper licenses and permits for the State in which they plan to hunt. Decoys are not required, but young hunters are expected to be properly camouflaged. "Last year, hunters harvested quite a few geese and applied pressure to move them throughout the valley," said Regional Wildlife Biologist Miles Benker. "Hunting was also reported to improve in outlying areas where hunting is allowed. Most of this land is in private ownership, so make sure to ask for permission to hunt." IDFG will accept names of goose hunters interested in applying for the special hunt during the week of November 12-15 only. Hunters will be asked to designate which State they wish to hunt. Hunters will be selected using a computerized random drawing, and will then be contacted and provided more specific instructions about the hunt. Adults applying for the hunt must meet the following requirements:
  • Arrange to have 3 other members in your group
  • Possess all State licenses and permits required for the State in which you will be hunting
  • Federal Waterfowl Stamp and Federal Migratory Game Bird Harvest
  • Minimum of 2 dozen decoys per group
On each hunt date, four hunters will be allowed at each site from a half-hour before sunrise until 2:00 P.M. Special arrangements will be made for disabled hunters. IDFG will only accept applications from November 12-15, 2001. For more information, interested hunters can call the Clearwater Region Office at 208-799-5010.