Waterfowl Open House Meeting Slated in Southwest

Waterfowl hunters have a chance to comment on proposed 2010-2011 southwest Idaho seasons at an upcoming open house hosted by Idaho Fish and Game. Statewide waterfowl proposals and an opportunity to comment are also available on the Fish and Game website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. Fish and Game personnel will be on hand from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, August 6, at the Fish and Game Nampa office, 3101 S. Powerline Road. The open house format allows visitors to attend anytime during the session. Call 465-8465 for information. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees waterfowl management at the national level, authorized Fish and Game to hold a waterfowl season similar to the 2009-2010 season. Using that authorization as a framework, Fish and Game has proposed a duck season in southwest Idaho from October 9 through January 21, with a youth hunt on September 25 and 26. Canvasbacks are included in this year's duck season. A proposed scaup season would open on October 30 and close after January 21. Proposed duck bag limits are seven birds in the aggregate (no more than two hen mallards, two redheads, three scaup, two pintails, one canvasback) per day with a possession limit of 14 birds after the first day. A proposed fall season for Canada and greater white-fronted geese would run from October 9 through January 21 with a bag limit of four of any kind per day and a possession limit of eight after the first day of the season. Two seasons are proposed for snow and Ross's geese. The first would run from October 29 through January 21 with the second beginning February 19 and closing on March 10. Proposed bag limits for these geese would be 10 per day with a possession limit of 20 after the first day. Information collected at public open houses across the state will be summarized and presented to the Fish and Game Commission, which will set final waterfowl seasons later in August. Individuals with disabilities may request meeting accommodations by contacting Kim Cox at the Fish and Game Nampa office (465-8465) or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-3529 (TDD).