Idaho Fish and Game is seeking comments on its 2026-2027 Migratory Game Bird Season proposals.
Review the draft proposal below and submit comments by March 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for their consideration via conference call on April 9, 2026.
The Pacific and Central Flyway Management Plan for Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) sandhill cranes allows for the regulated harvest of cranes when the population exceeds 15,000, as estimated by the average of the three most recent reliable surveys. Based on the allowable harvest for this population, 4,250 sandhill cranes may be harvested from the RMP during the 2026 hunting season.
Idaho’s 2026 crane harvest allocation is 473 cranes, up from 324 in 2025. The harvest allocation is dictated by the average percentage of RMP sandhill cranes counted in Idaho during the three most recent fall population surveys. Staff reference harvest rates observed in previous years to determine the number of tags available for each hunt area.
The Department proposes the following actions:
All tags (870) will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis at any vendor as per the allocation below. To accommodate Idaho's increased tag allocation and distribute hunters in a manner to reduce hunter crowding, the department proposes adding additional seasons in each hunt area. Overall, this is a 155 tag increase from 2025 (changes in yellow).
Hunt Area
Season
Tags
1 - Bear Lake
9/1-9/30
370 300
1 - Bear Lake
10/1-10/30
150
2 - Teton
9/1-9/15
6140
2 - Teton
10/1-10/30
40
3 - Fremont
9/1-9/15
5140
3 - Fremont
9/16-9/30
5140
3 - Fremont
10/1-10/30
30
4 - Jefferson
9/1-9/15
3430
4 - Jefferson
9/16-9/30
3430
4 - Jefferson
10/1-10/30
30
5 - Swan Lake
9/1-9/30
5750
5 - Swan Lake
10/1-10/30
20
6 - Malad
9/1-9/30
5750
6 - Malad
10/1-10/30
20
The daily bag limit is 2 cranes for all hunts. The season bag limit is 2 cranes.
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking comments on its 2026-2027 Migratory Game Bird Season proposals.
Review the draft proposal below and submit comments by March 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for their consideration via conference call on April 9, 2026.
The Pacific and Central Flyway Management Plan for Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) sandhill cranes allows for the regulated harvest of cranes when the population exceeds 15,000, as estimated by the average of the three most recent reliable surveys. Based on the allowable harvest for this population, 4,250 sandhill cranes may be harvested from the RMP during the 2026 hunting season.
Idaho’s 2026 crane harvest allocation is 473 cranes, up from 324 in 2025. The harvest allocation is dictated by the average percentage of RMP sandhill cranes counted in Idaho during the three most recent fall population surveys. Staff reference harvest rates observed in previous years to determine the number of tags available for each hunt area.
The Department proposes the following actions:
All tags (870) will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis at any vendor as per the allocation below. To accommodate Idaho's increased tag allocation and distribute hunters in a manner to reduce hunter crowding, the department proposes adding additional seasons in each hunt area. Overall, this is a 155 tag increase from 2025 (changes in yellow).
3703006140514051403430343057505750The daily bag limit is 2 cranes for all hunts. The season bag limit is 2 cranes.