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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Idaho big-game hunting rule changes proposed

A whitetail buck, shown as it was found after Dan Hoke of Spokane bagged it during the rut near Lake Pend Oreille toward the end of Idaho's rifle deer season. (Dan Hoke)
A whitetail buck, shown as it was found after Dan Hoke of Spokane bagged it during the rut near Lake Pend Oreille toward the end of Idaho's rifle deer season. (Dan Hoke)

HUNTING -- Idaho hunters have until Sunday March 8 to comment of proposed changes to state big-game hunting rules and seasons.

Biologists across the state will answer questions about the proposals during two live web chats set for Wednesday, March 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. MST, and again on the same day from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. MST.

PANHANDLE REGION changes include:

White-tailed Deer

  • Increase a total of 250 Extra Antlerless Controlled Hunt tags in Units 1 and 3 to take advantage of abundant deer.
  • Expand seasons in Extra Antlerless Controlled Hunts in Units 1 and 3 to be consistent with general season.

Elk

  • Propose to reinstate B-tag 8 day muzzleloader spike hunt in December (eliminated in 2012).
  • Add 125 either sex tags to increase antlerless harvest in Units 1 and 2 to return historic levels of harvest prior to the removal of the general antlerless season and to address depredation concerns.
  • Add 100 either sex tags and 25 antlerless tags to increase harvest in Unit 5 to address depredation conflicts.
  • Offer youth hunt opportunity (archery and any-weapon) for antlerless elk in Units 1, 2, 3, and 5 (4 new hunts, 25 tags each).

Black Bear

  • Extend take season by 15 days in Units 2, 3, and 5, and extend take season by 10 days in Units 4 and 4A to standardize spring season dates and dog prohibition.
  • Simplify regulations by standardizing spring season closures and dogs prohibited seasons.

Mountain Lion

  • Reduce dog prohibition by 12 days in Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A and 5.
  • Allow use of second tag and electronic calls in Units 4 and 4A to address predation concerns on elk.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet in Boise on March 24 to set seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, mountain lion and wolf, as well as spring Chinook salmon.



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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