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Idaho Fish and Game

Upland Game, Furbearer Rules Set

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The Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved seasons and rules for the upcoming upland game and furbearer season at its meeting in Moscow April 25-26. Changes for the new seasons affecting upland game birds and animals, crows, falconry, early goose seasons, sandhill crane seasons, and dove season include the following: Opening the Big Desert (Area 2 north and south of INEEL) and Birch Creek (Area 2) for sage grouse and closing the Curlew Grasslands for sage grousebecause of population declines (Power, Cassia and Oneida counties south of Interstate 86 and north and east of Interstate 84). No change is planned for sharptails. Required sage grouse and sharp-tailed grousepermit would continue as it provides a valuable source of hunters to respond to research needs. Extending the pheasant season in the Magic Valley to December 31 except in Minidoka and Cassia counties; adding Niagara Springs WMA to the WMA pheasant permit system; increasing the bag and possession limits to three and six on WMAs and for the youth pheasant season. No change was proposed for forest grouse. Quail season will be opened in the Panhandle Region and it will be added to "Area 2." No change was proposed for chukar and gray partridges. Rabbit and hare seasons will be unchanged except for closure of the pygmy rabbit season (a species of special concern in Idaho of undetermined status; this would apply in falconry rules also). No other changes proposed for falconry (sage grouse falconry season on Curlew would also close), crows or doves. The Clearwater early goose season will be expanded to include all of Nez Perce County September 7-13. The Mann Lake closure will include all of the lake and 300 yards beyond the Bureau of Reclamation boundary. Sandhill crane permits will be reduced 25 percent to 75 in the Teton area, 75 in Ashton area and 263 in Caribou and Bear Lake counties. Areas include all of Teton, Fremont and Bear Lake counties. The same access restriction as for big game (no off-road travel) would apply to bird hunters in Unit 47. Furbearer rule changes for 2002-03 include a beaver closure boundary in the Upper Snake Region to be expanded to include the Indian Creek drainage in Clark County; North Twin Creek, South Fork of Packsaddle Creek and Trail Creek above Mike Harris bridge in Teton County. Bobcat take season was changed to December 14, 2002 - February 16, 2003, adding two weeks. No jaw collection will be required. There were no changes for muskrat, mink, raccoon or red fox. River otters (2000-01 harvest was 89, quota was 100) will have a limit of two per trapper provided the area quota is not exceeded. Trappers will have 48 hours to bring otters in for tagging once the quota has been reached, after that they must be surrendered to IDFG. Otter seasons would open November 15 in regions 1, 2, 3 and 4. Regional quotas would be: Panhandle, 15; Clearwater, 15; Southwest, 30; Magic Valley, 20; Southeast, two; Upper Snake and Salmon, 10 each. The entire carcass of otters must be turned in for analysis. Trapper regulations will be printed separately from the upland game brochure.