Field Reports: Help shape hunting seasons

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is accepting public comments through July 13 for a preliminary round in proposing rule changes for hunting seasons in 2009-2011.

On its Web site, the department has posted issues ranging from hunting hours to mule deer seasons as well as opening the forum for proposals on other matters.

“This is the first of several opportunities people will have to participate in developing hunting seasons for the next three years,” said Dave Ware, department game manager.

“We have wildlife management goals that must be met, but we welcome people’s ideas about how best to achieve them.”

Department officials will use the first round of comment to propose alternatives that will be released in mid-August. Public meetings will be held in seven cities to get more comment. The Spokane meeting is set for Sept. 3.

The proposals emanating from those meetings will be presented to the state Fish and Wildlife Commission in March and April.

On the Net: wdfw.wa.gov/ wlm/game/seasonsetting/ index.htm.

Rich Landers

HUNTING

Idaho proposes rule changes

The Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public comments by July 14 on five proposed changes for fall hunting rules.

The proposed changes would:

“Eliminate evidence-of-sex requirement for meat being transported from a commercial meat processor.

“Allow disabled archery hunters to use crossbows with non-magnifying scopes having battery-powered or tritium-lighted reticles during archery-only hunting seasons.

“Allow visually impaired hunters to use non-magnifying scopes during muzzleloader-only hunts.

“Allow holders of senior combination and disabled combination licenses to apply for, and participate in, leftover youth-only deer and elk controlled hunts.

“Include bait containers in the current commission rules on black bear bait placement.

The Fish and Wildlife commission will meet July 23-25 at Cabela’s in Post Falls to consider these and other issues, including sage-grouse seasons, bighorn sheep tags for auction and lottery, Animal Damage Control funds, legislative proposals and migratory game birds discussions.

On the Net: fishandgame.idaho.gov.

Rich Landers