Upland Game Seasons Opening

Upland game fall seasons are ramping up, with forest grouse, rabbits and hares open now. The early fall general turkey season and seasons for September 15 and chukar, quail, partridge and sage-grouse begin September 21. The season for forest grouse, which include ruffed, spruce and dusky grouse, opens August 30 and runs through January 31 in the Panhandle Region and through December 31 in the rest of the state. The daily limit is four, whether all of one or mixed species, and 12 in possession. Hunters need only a valid hunting license to hunt quail, chukar, grey partridge and forest grouse. Seasons on cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hares also opens August 30. Cottontail season runs through February 28, 2014, and snowshoe season runs through March 31, 2014. There is no season on pygmy rabbits. The general fall turkey season opens:

• September 15 through December 15 in game management units 1, 2 (except Farragut State Park and Farragut Wildlife Management Area) 3, 4, 4A, 5 and 6.
• September 15 through October 31 in game management units 73, 74, 75, 77 and 78.
• September 15 through October 9 in game management units 8, 8A, 10, 10A, 11, 11A, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16A, 17, 18, 19 and 20.
• November 21 through December 31 in game management units 8, 8A, 10A, 11, 11A, 13, 14, 15 and 16. This hunt is open on private lands only.

The daily bag limit is one turkey of either sex per day in the fall. No more than three turkeys may be taken per year, except in Units 1, 2, 3 and 5, where five turkeys may be taken during the fall season. Turkey hunters will need a general or an extra tag. General tags not used in the spring general or controlled hunts are valid for the fall hunt. Special unit tags are valid for the fall season in Units 1, 2, 3 or 5. Chukar and gray partridge seasons run from September 21 through January 31, 2014. The daily bag limit is eight chukar and eight gray partridge, and the possession limit is 24 chukar and 24 gray partridge. Bobwhite and California quail seasons run from September 21 through January 31, 2014. The daily bag limit is 10 total, and the possession limit is 30 total. Area 1 in eastern Idaho is closed. Consult the rules brochure for details and exceptions. The seven-day sage-grouse season runs from September 21 through September 27, with a one-bird daily limit and a two-bird possession limit. Sharp-tailed grouse opens from October 1 through 31, with a two-bird daily limit and six-bird possession limit. A separate permit is required for hunting sage- and sharp-tailed grouse. All hunters need a valid 2013 Idaho hunting license. Hunters will find upland hunting rules and shooting times in the rules brochure at license vendors, Fish and Game offices and online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/rules/?getPage=67.