Fire Forces Changes In Seasons

Thu., Sept. 21, 2000

From Staff

The Idaho Fish and Game Department has been trying to allow big-game hunting in the wake of a severe fire season.

On Sept. 5, the state Fish and Game Commission voted to extend some general seasons and controlled hunts in areas affected by wildfire closures.

In the Selway and Middle Fork elk zones, the commission changed the B tag antlered-only elk hunt to run from Sept. 15-Nov. 30.

Previously that season was set to run through September, then close during October.

Fire-related area closures and damage to trails in and around the Frank Church and Selway-Bitterroot wilderness areas will impact hunters even after the fires. The extended season will allow hunters to work around those obstacles.

The Selway Zone includes game management units 16A, 17, 19 and 20. The Middle Fork Zone includes units 20A, 26 and 27.

In the Salmon Zone, which includes Units 21, 21A, 28 and 36B, hunters may use the commission-approved Special Fire Closure Refund and Exchange Policy to either obtain a rain check for next year, a refund, or exchange their elk tag for another zone if the closures remain in effect.

Ten bighorn sheep hunts with a total of 43 permits in Idaho’s backcountry will be extended because of area closures. Similar extensions have been approved for four mountain goat hunts with a total of 10 permittees.

Moose hunters in 12 hunts with a total of 46 permits will get a week extension, with the closing date set for Nov. 30 rather than November 23.

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