Upland Game Seasons To Go Out for Public Comment

Idaho Fish and Game will open all upland game seasons for public comment in time for the Fish and Game Commission's July meeting. The commission in January approved upland game and furbearer seasons for the 2010-2011 and 2011-12 hunting seasons. But commissioners later reconsidered a decision to shift the chukar and gray partridge season opening and to reduce the bag limit, because the change had not been subject to public comment. The commission decided to delay the change one full hunting season. Commissioners also decided that it would be best to consider how all seasons work together. For this year at least, the chukar and gray partridge season opener will remain the third Saturday of September - September 18 this year - and the bag and possession limits will remain at 8 and 16 for the 2010-11 season. Opening dates, season length, and bag limits for quail, chukar, partridge and forest grouse will be considered during the July meeting, allowing the public to consider anticipated changes to the seasons and perhaps other seasons that may be improved through a coordinated approach. Proposed season will be available in early June, and public meetings will follow in mid- to late June. This year the final season adjustments will be made in July, and the seasons and rules brochure will be printed in July. Information on spring turkey seasons is available on the Fish and Game Web site, and spring turkey season brochures are available from any license vendor or regional office. Any changes to the existing seasons would take effect during the 2011-2012 season.