Fish and Game Seeks Public Comment on Game Rules

Idaho Fish and Game will be gathering public comments on several proposed new rules. Fish and Game plans a series of regional public open house meetings between June 14 and June 25 to gather public comments on a list of proposed rules. The dates and locations of the meetings are: Panhandle Region - 208-769-1414 - Open house 7 to 8:30 p.m.

• Friday, June 25, Fish and Game regional office, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d'Alene.

Southeast Region - 208-232-4703 - Open house 2 to 7 p.m.

• Monday, June 21, Fish and Game regional office, 1345 Barton Road, Pocatello.

Salmon Region - 208-756-2271 - Open houses both 4 to 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, June 22, U.S. Forest Service office, Hwy. 93, Challis.
• Wednesday, June 23, Fish and Game regional office, 99 Hwy. 93 N., Salmon.

Clearwater Region - 208-799-5010 - Open house 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Monday, June 21, Fish and Game regional office, 3316 16th St. Lewiston.

Southwest Region - 208-465-8465 - Open house 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Monday, June 21, Fish and Game regional office, 3101 S. Powerline Road, Nampa.

McCall Sub Region - 208-634-8137 - Open house 3 to 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, June 22, Fish and Game regional office, 555 Deinhard Lane, McCall.

Magic Valley Region - 208-324-4359 - Open house 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• Monday, June 21, Fish and Game regional office, 324 South 417 East - Suite 1, Jerome.

Upper Snake Region - 208-525-7290 - Open house 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Wednesday, June 23, Fish and Game regional office, 4279 Commerce Circle, Idaho Falls.

Public comments are being sought in four general areas.

• A proposed bonus point system designed to improve odds of unsuccessful controlled hunt applicants in subsequent years.
• Proposed 2011 upland game bird seasons.
• Proposed changes in the landowner appreciation program.
• Proposed rules for muzzleloader rules, trap placement, motor vehicle restrictions and possession and sale of rattlesnake parts.

Proposed changes and a public comment form will be available on the Fish and Game Website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/public/ later this week. Public meeting times and locations also are listed at this site. Written comments may be submitted at one of the open house meetings, at a Fish and Game office or by mail to one of these: Big Game Comments, Bonus Point Comments, Upland Game Comments or LAP Comments c/o Idaho Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise ID 83707. The deadline for written comments is June 28. During a meeting July 7, 8 and 9 at the Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission will consider these proposals as well as changes to wolf hunting rules to allow foothold traps, electronic calls and harvesting wolves incidentally encountered at bear bait; extend mandatory check-in for wolves to 72 hours to report a kill and 10 days to check skull and hide, and allow depredation hunts for big game to include bears and wolves.