Wild Turkey & Trophy Species Open House Meetings Scheduled

LEWISTON - The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will host two open house meetings in the Clearwater Region to gather public comment on proposed changes to the 2003 wild turkey and 2003-2004 seasons for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat. The new landowner incentive program, ACCESS YES, will also be introduced. The meetings will be held in Ahsahka at the Clearwater Hatchery on November 13 from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M.; and in Lewiston at the IDFG office, 1540 Warner Avenue, on November 14 from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. No significant regulation changes are expected for the trophy species, but simplification of the turkey tag regulations will be addressed. The new ACCESS YES program is voluntary, and designed to provide an economic incentive for landowners that allow access for hunting and fishing on private land. In the past, turkey and trophy species meetings were held separately. However, due to changes in the season setting process for trophy species, both meeting will be combined this year. Hunters than cannot make the open house meetings can call the IDFG Clearwater Region office at 799-5010 by 5:00 P.M. November 15. All comments will be forwarded to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for their review prior to setting the season regulations. Individuals with disabilities may request meeting accommodations by contacting Mike Demick at Idaho Department of Fish and Game at 799-5010.