Wild Turkey Open House Slated

It's not too early to be thinking about next year's turkey hunting seasons. The public is invited to attend an open house at Fish and Game's Nampa office on Tuesday, November 20 to discuss proposed season changes for the upcoming 2002 wild turkey hunting seasons. Interested persons can attend anytime between noon and 6:00 p.m. While no changes are proposed for spring hunts which run from April 15 through May 25, one proposal is on the table for the fall 2002 season. "We're proposing changing the fall controlled hunt for units 22, 31, 32, 32A, 33, 38 and 39 from 500 permits to an unlimited number of permits," Fish and Game wildlife manager Jon Rachael said. "Turkeys are doing so well in southwest Idaho that we'd like to expand hunter opportunity in the area. Now what we need is public input regarding this proposal." In 2001, 630 hunters applied for the 500 permits offered. "By moving to an unlimited controlled hunt, we would be able to accommodate everyone who wants to apply, without negatively impacting wild turkey numbers in the region," Rachael noted. If unable to attend, hunters can still provide input on the proposal. Contact Fish and Game's Nampa office (465-8465), or send written comments by November 26 to: Idaho Fish and Game, 3101 S. Powerline Road, Nampa ID 83686. Public comments from across the state will be assembled and presented to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for review. After evaluating the comments, the Commission will determine whether the proposed changes are warranted. For more information regarding the upcoming open house, contact Fish and Game's Southwest Region office in Nampa, 465-8465.