Sage-Grouse Season Set

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Wednesday, August 24, adopted a restricted seven-day, one-bird sage-grouse season for 2011. The sage-grouse hunting season opens Saturday, October 1. Sage-grouse season: Seven day season, one-bird daily limit, and two in possession after opening day, statewide in sage-grouse range within Area 2. Area 2 includes:

• Butte, Camas, Cassia, Clark, Fremont, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Power and Teton counties.
• Bannock County west of Interstate 15.
• Bingham County west of Interstate 15.
• Blaine County, except within the Salmon River drainage.
• Bonneville County west of Interstate 15 and north of U.S. Highway 26.
• Custer County, except within the Salmon River drainage upstream from and including Valley Creek.
• Elmore County south and east of U.S. Highway 20 and north of Interstate 84.
• Oeida County west of Interstate 15.
• Owyhee County west of the Bruneau River.
• Twin Falls County east of U.S. Highway 93.

Closed:

• All areas not included in Area 2.

Details will be available in a brochure available in print at license vendors and on the Fish and Game website within about a week. Any person hunting sage- or sharp-tailed grouse must have in their possession a valid hunting license with a sage- sharp-tailed grouse permit validation at $4.75. The sharp-tail grouse season also opens October 1 and runs October 31. Check the Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules brochure for 2011-2012 for season and limit details.