Waterfowl Open House Slated in Nampa

Waterfowl hunters have a chance to comment on proposed 2011-2012 southwest Idaho seasons at an upcoming open house hosted by Idaho Fish and Game. Fish and Game personnel will be on hand from 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 10, at the Nampa office at 3101 S. Powerline Road. The open house allows visitors to attend anytime during the session. Call 465-8465 for information. Statewide waterfowl proposals and an opportunity to comment are available on the Fish and Game website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/waterfowlSurvey/. 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 2010-2011 season. Using that authorization as a framework, Fish and Game has developed four duck season proposals in southwest Idaho with a youth hunt proposed for September 24 and 25. Proposed daily duck bag limits are seven birds in the aggregate - no more than two hen mallards, two redheads, three scaup, two pintails, one canvasback - with a possession limit of 14 birds after the first day. Proposed dark goose - Canada, greater white-front - daily bag limits would be four per day. Proposed light goose - snow, blue, Ross's - daily bag limits would be 10 per day. Four optional seasons would provide for both early and late waterfowl hunting opportunities. For the Southwest Region, the proposals are: Option 1: Early Split Season

• This split season for ducks and dark geese would run from October 1 to 19; close from October 20 to November 4; and reopen from November 5 to January 29, 2012. A two-part season proposed for snow and Ross's geese would run from November 8 to January 29, 2012; close from January 30 to February 17; and reopen from February 18 to March 10, 2012.

Option 2: Late Split Season

• This split season for ducks and dark geese would run from October 1 to November 30; close from December 1 to 16; and reopen from December 17 to January 29, 2012. A three-part season proposed for snow and Ross's geese would run from October 23 to November 30; close from December 1 to 16; and reopen from December 17 to January 29, 2012; close from January 30 to February 17; and reopen from February 18 to March 10, 2012.

Option 3: No change from 2010-2011 Season

• This continuous season for ducks and dark geese would run from October 8 to January 20, 2012. A two-part season proposed for snow and Ross's geese would run from October 30 to January 20, 2012; close from January 21 to February 17; and reopen from February 18 to March 10, 2012.

Option 4: Delayed Opener and Late Closure Season

• This continuous season for ducks and dark geese would run from October 15 to January 27, 2012. A two-part season proposed for snow and Ross's geese would run from November 6 to January 27, 2012; close from January 28 to February 17; and reopen from February 18 to March 10, 2012.

Information collected at public open house meetings across the state will be summarized and presented to the Idaho 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). Fish and Game will also be taking any comments on the proposed sage-grouse proposing seven-day season, one-bird daily bag limit for Owyhee County west of the Bruneau River. To comment go to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/sagegrouseSurvey/.