IDFG to meet in Kellogg July 7-8

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission during a July meeting at the Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg will consider additional methods in taking wolves and other changes to big game rules.

The commissioners will meet July 7 and 8 in the Noah's Loft Conference Center at the Silver Mountain Resort, and a public comment period will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Thursday morning, July 8, the commissioners will hear updates on legislative proposals, outfitted waterfowl and turkey hunts, the Farragut Range and on the 2010 wolf hunting season.

After lunch, the head of the Fisheries Bureau will present an update on the chinook fishery and a proposal for a fall chinook salmon season. He also will review recommendations for proposed fishing rule changes for the 2011-2012 seasons.

Proposals include changing all general stream seasons to open year round. If approved, the proposed changes would be made available for public review and comment.

The commissioners will consider proposals for a bonus point system, changes to the Landowner Appreciation Program and changes to rules for big game, small game and rattlesnakes.

They also will consider rules that would allow nonresident deer or elk tags be used to hunt and kill bear, wolf or mountain lion during open season for deer or elk; and rules that would allow Fish and Game to require certain individuals to maintain records pertaining to buying black bears and cougars, raw skins or parts.

Information about the bonus point proposal is available on the Fish and Game Web site at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/surveys/10PublicInput/BP/info.pdf.

Later in the day, commissioners will consider nonresident deer and elk tag and outfitter set-aside quotas, and the release of bighorn sheep tags for auction and lottery. And they will consider proposed 2010 and 2011 seasons on migratory game birds, 2010 seasons on sage grouse and sandhill cranes and 2011 seasons on mourning dove and upland game birds.

Following an executive session at the end of the day Thursday, commissioners will attend a barbecue sponsored by Shoshone County Sportsmen. Friday morning, they will embark on a St. Joe River tour.