Turkey Forecast and Harvest Statistics Available Online

The 2014 turkey hunting forecast and previous season harvest statistics and drawing odds for controlled hunts are available on Fish and Game's website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/?getPage=131. Hunters can use harvest statistics and drawing odds from the past 10 years to search for similar controlled hunts for this year. The spring turkey controlled hunt application period runs February 1 through March 1. Hunters can find the 2014 spring turkey controlled hunt information at Fish and Game offices, license vendors and online. Results for the spring seasons will be available March 20 on the Fish and Game website. Changes to the 2014 turkey rules include:

• Clarification that corporate timber lands are not considered private lands for the purposes of fall turkey general hunt (late season only) in Units 8, 8A, 10A, 11, 11A, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 18, which runs November 21 - December 31 and is open on private land only.
• Split the controlled youth-only spring turkey hunt in Unit 38 into two separate hunts and increased the number of permits by 40.
• Reduced the number of permits for each of the controlled spring turkey hunts in Unit 54; and eliminated the Unit 54 controlled fall turkey hunt.
• Increased permit numbers for each of the controlled spring and controlled fall turkey hunts in Unit 71.

Hunters may apply for controlled hunts at any hunting and fishing license vendor, Fish and Game office; with a credit card by calling 1-800-55HUNT5; or online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. The application fee is $6.25 per person for residents and $14.75 for nonresidents. An additional fee is charged for telephone and Internet applications. Hunters must have a valid 2014 Idaho hunting license to apply.