Idaho Deer, Elk Hunters Must Report Harvest Data Next Year

For the first time in at least 20 years, Idaho deer and elk hunters will be required to mail in a harvest report, beginning with the 1998 season.

Reports will be mandatory, and hunters who do not comply will not be able to purchase subsequent licenses until they have completed their records, according to a plan approved recently by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission.

As an incentive, the commission directed the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to create a “supertag” controlled-hunt drawing.

Ten hunters, one a non-resident, will be selected for a statewide deer or elk tag that can be used in any season for that species. Hunters who file their report on time will be automatically included in the drawing.

No gain for Idaho

Although the steelhead run from the Pacific Ocean was larger this year than last, the number of fish showing up in Idaho has shown little change.

Counting at Bonneville Dam ended Nov. 15 with almost 258,000 steelhead crossing the dam during the run, representing an increase of 26 percent above the 1996 total of 204,000. However, the run at Lower Granite Dam amounted to about 80,500 through Nov. 24, a slight decrease from last year.

Only 15 percent of the fish crossing Bonneville Dam were wild fish. The most recent sampling information from Lower Granite suggests that about 10 percent of that run has been wild fish.

Nordic ski hotline restored

Word’s getting out about cross-country ski conditions at Mount Spokane, thanks to the Inland Empire Nordic Club.

The recording device the state park rangers used to give the daily updates on trail conditions was stolen last week during a break-in at the Selkirk Lodge.

Nordic Club members rallied quickly to restore service for the popular holiday period.

The recording is updated each morning, usually by 8 o’clock. The number is 238-4025.

Idaho hunter classes

Registration is under way for youth hunter education courses in the Idaho Panhandle.

Prospective students in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Hayden areas must pre-register for the courses that begin Jan. 6. Youngsters who complete the course and turn 12 before spring would be eligible for the 1998 fall turkey season.

People born after Jan. 1, 1975, must complete a hunter education course before purchasing an Idaho hunting license. Info: (208) 769-1414.

Fishing rules studied

Now that the public comment period has ended, members of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider several requests before announcing 1998-99 sportfishing rules at their January meeting.

Commissioners heard pleas to consider the impact of restrictions on youth fishing and business at their final hearing recently in Spokane. They also listened to substantial comment on the new statewide barbless hook requirement.

The nine-member commission will approve the sportfishing rules, without further public input, Jan. 23-24 at LaConner. The rules will take effect May 1.

In other business at their Spokane meeting, commissioners streamlined the wildlife rehabilitation permit system and changed the special hunting permit application deadline to mid-June to coincide with season dates being set in April, rather than this month.

Bargain permits on sale

The Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is offering reduced prices for 1998 boat launch permits.

Until April 30, a season pass may be purchased for $30, 25 percent less than the regular price of $40.

To purchase permits by mail, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to National Park Service, Attn: Boat Launch Permit, 1008 Crest Dr., Coulee Dam, WA 99116. Include a personal or cashier’s check payable to National Park Service.

Boaters with a Golden Age or Golden Access passport are eligible for a 50 percent discount if they include their passport number with their order.

Idaho discounts passport

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is offering its $35 annual passports to state parks for $25.

The discount offer will be in effect through Jan. 31.

The passport, which does not apply to camping, saves visitors who visit parks frequently the $2 or $3 daily fee collected at most state parks. Because there are no per-person admission fees, the passport allows a carload of people to swim, ski, hike, picnic and use park facilities without additional payment.

Annual passports may be purchased at any state park. They also may be purchased by writing Annual Passport, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0065. Vehicle license numbers must be included.

, DataTimes