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St. Maries Sportsmen Breakfast Saturday

| March 4, 2010 9:49 AM

Idaho Fish and Game regional wildlife biologist Dave Spicer will review the 2010 big game proposals 8 a.m. Saturday at the St. Maries Sportsmen Breakfast, at the Elks Lodge, 628 Main St.

One proposed statewide change for 2010 is for all big game hunting seasons that have previously opened on Oct. 10, to open on Oct. 9. Oct. 10, 2010, falls on a Sunday. This change would provide the opportunity to hunt on both Saturday and Sunday.

“With Monday, Oct. 11 being a federal holiday, some hunters could potentially have a 3-day opening weekend to hunt if the season opener is Saturday Oct. 9,” according to a press release.

Youth-only hunts have become popular opportunities to increase youth participation in hunting. The department has structured youth opportunities by providing exclusive opportunities for youth to hunt without competition from other hunters or increased harvest opportunity in the form of youth-only controlled hunts or either-sex deer hunting.

A 2010 season proposal would allow resident youth with a valid general season elk zone tag to hunt in both the A and B tag seasons for that zone.

Adopting the rule would provide increased opportunity for youth while maintaining the framework of the A or B elk seasons. The eligible age range (12–17 years) would be consistent with a Junior Hunting License, Junior Resident Elk tag, and existing youth-only general season deer hunts. All other season, weapon restrictions and commission rules would apply. Controlled hunts are excluded from the proposal.

Last year hunting season dates for wolf seasons were discussed at this meeting, and quota levels were established later during the summer. Wolf hunting seasons will not be discussed at this meeting. A comment period will be held this summer.

In the Panhandle region, a proposal for deer season includes blocking up the Unit 2 antlerless archery seasons with the other units.

Last year, Unit 2 antlerless archery hunting ended Sept. 14 on the Whitetail Tag, and no season was listed for antlerless deer on the Regular Tag. Unit 2 is proposed to be the same as other Panhandle units, Sept. 6-30.

The 2010 Panhandle proposal re-establishes the antlerless portion of the Farragut whitetail archery season, Nov. 1 — Dec. 1 that area.

Controlled hunts in much of Unit 1 (35 permits) and in Unit 6 (20 permits) currently run Aug 30 — Dec. 1 for any buck of either species. The 2010 proposal is to combine these hunts into a single hunt, with 50 permits good anywhere in the region.

The only proposed change to the Panhandle elk season is the Oct. 9 opener rather than the traditional Oct. 10 opener.

No changes are proposed for bear or cougar seasons in the Panhandle.

Hunters are encouraged to attend the public meetings or e-mail comments or suggestions to jim.hayden@idfg.idaho.gov. Comments may also be made at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/public/ beginning March 1.

Individuals with disabilities may request meeting accommodations by contacting Jim Hayden at 769-1414.

The buffet is $8 and there will be free coffee.

It is open to the public.

Information: Dave Spicer, 245-5023