Wild Turkey/Access Yes! Open Houses Slated

Because it's not too early to be thinking about next year's turkey hunting seasons, the public is invited to attend an upcoming open house to discuss the topic. On Tuesday, November 26, Fish and Game will host two open houses to gather public input regarding proposed changes to 2003 turkey hunting seasons and the newly unveiled Access Yes! program. Population information for trophy species (moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat) will also be available for public review. Fish and Game's Nampa office at 3101 S. Powerline Road and the Forest Service Ranger District office in Council (500 E. Whiteley) will serve as open house locations. Fish and Game staff will be on hand, and interested persons can attend anytime between 4:00 and 7:00 pm. Department proposals would standardize the general spring wild turkey season for all of western Idaho (April 15 through May 25), and also standardize the period during which the second spring tag is valid (May 1 through May 25). A fall general hunt is also proposed for southwest Idaho to replace the current controlled hunt in units 22, 23, 24, 31, 32, 32A, 33 and 39. "We're proposing the change in the fall season because turkey populations continue to grow in southwest Idaho," Fish and Game wildlife manager Jon Rachael said. "Because of that growth, we'd like to expand hunter opportunity in the area. Now what we need is public input regarding this proposal." Hunters can peruse all the turkey season proposals via the Fish and Game website (www2.state.id.us.) and also provide written comment regarding the proposals on the web site. The comment period ends December 6. Access Yes! is a new program designed to improve hunter access to private lands. Open house attendees will be asked for their preference regarding funding for this program. As with turkey season proposals, Access Yes! information and comment forms are available on Fish and Game's web site. Public comment regarding the proposed changes will be assembled and presented to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for review and possible approval. For more information, contact Fish and Game's Nampa office (465-8465) or McCall office (634-8137).