Mon., May 18, 2015

Deadlines loom for special hunt permit applications

Jim Eggart of Walla Walla poses next to 8-by-8 point bull elk he shot on Sept. 26 in the Blue Creek Unit east of Wall a Walla. He had the only rifle bull elk hunting permit for the area and shot the elk on a farm signed up in Washington's Feel Free to Hunt Program. (Mike Mahan)

HUNTING -- The clock is ticking for hunters hoping to fulfill their dreams in special fall hunts: Permit application deadlines are coming up.

In Idaho, April 30 was the deadline to apply for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat controlled hunts.

In Montana, March 31 was the deadline for multiple-season permits and May 1 was the deadline for bison, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat.

In Washington, hunters have to be aware of last year's major wildfires as they plan fall hunts and select special permit opportunities. Scope out possible long-term closures on U.S. Forest Service roads in areas of northcentral Washington (Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest) where wildfires burned last summer and managers have to be careful about landslides and other hazards. These closures could significantly complicate access to some hunters’ traditional favorite spots. Hunting seasons remain open, but access is never guaranteed; it is up to hunters to check out access before applying for permits.

Check out the Forest Service alerts and notices webpage.

More deadlines are coming up as follows.

WASHINGTON