Idaho Bars Electronic Devices For Hunting

Electronic devices will not be allowed to be used with any firearm used for hunting in Idaho, the state Fish and Game Commission has decided.

The vote made by conference call last week extends the ban which has originally applied to archery equipment. The commissioners said the majority of Idaho hunters prefer to maintain traditional methods of using firearms for hunting.

In other action, the commission:

Eliminated the Oct. 31 cutoff for purchase of archery and muzzleloader permits.

Allowed residents to purchase unsold nonresident deer or elk tags at nonresident prices, and use them as an additional tag. The start date for these sales will be Sept. 1. Last year, 2,954 of these tags were unsold.

Allowed a bear or mountain lion to be taken by the holder of a valid nonresident deer tag. The deer season must be open in the area, as well as the bear or lion season, whichever applies.

Identified backcountry airstrips in Unit 27 in which hunting will be closed within two miles of the strips during the October-November controlled deer hunts.

Youth archery and nature event

An archery and nature education event for youngsters is being held Saturday, sponsored by the area chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Professional archery instruction, a nature walk, wildlife education activities and other events will begin at 10 a.m. at Spokane Valley Archery, 3809 S. Linke Rd.

A $13 fee for non-members covers activities, lunch and a year’s membership in the federation’s JAKES program.

JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics, and Sportsmanship.

Register by Thursday by calling Abby McAllister, 893-0980.

Leftover moose tags

For the first time, Idaho will be able to sell leftover moose tags over the counter.

The 46 tags that weren’t issued during the recent controlled hunt drawing will be available starting June 15. Sales can start at 9 a.m. at license vendors and Fish and Game Department offices. Nonresidents are not eligible to buy Idaho moose tags.