Waterfowl, Sage-Grouse Open House Slated

Waterfowl and sage-grouse hunters have a chance to comment on proposed 2009-2010 southwest Idaho seasons at an upcoming open house hosted by Idaho Fish and Game. Statewide waterfowl and sage-grouse proposals and an opportunity to comment are also available on the Fish and Game website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/public/. From 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 12, Fish and Game personnel will be on hand to visit with the public at the Fish and Game Nampa office at 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 2008-09 season. Using that authorization as a framework, Fish and Game has proposed a duck season from October 10 through January 22, with a youth hunt on September 26 and 27. Canvasbacks are included in this year's duck season. A proposed scaup season would open on October 31 and close after January 22. 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 10 through January 22 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' geese. The first would run from October 30 through January 22 with the second beginning February 20 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. Two separate sage-grouse seasons - identical to 2008 seasons - are proposed for the region. The first calls for a September 19 through October 11 season south of Owyhee County's Mud Flat Road. Bag and possession limits would be two birds per day and four in possession. North of the Mud Flat Road, a September 19 through 25 season is proposed, with limits of one bird per day and two in possession. Information collected at public open houses across the state will be summarized and presented to the Fish and Game Commission, which will set the final waterfowl and sage-grouse 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).