Deer season opens Oct. 10
The regular deer season opens Oct. 10 in most regions of Idaho.
In some areas, a regular deer tag allows hunters to take either mule deer or white-tailed deer. A white-tailed deer tag allows hunter to take only a white-tail. Many areas across the state also offer antlerless youth hunt opportunities, but check the 2010 big game rules brochure carefully for the areas where youth hunts are open.
To hunt deer in Idaho during the regular season, a hunter must have a valid 2010 Idaho hunting license and a deer tag.
Fish and Game law enforcement officials ask that hunters report any poaching or suspicious activities they encounter or hear about while hunting. Most serious poaching cases are cracked and won only with the help of ordinary Idaho residents, hunters or others who report crimes.
Hunters with information about a wildlife crime may call the Citizens Against Poaching hot-line at (800) 632-5999, 24 hours a day. Callers may remain anonymous. Or they may call the nearest Fish and Game office or local law enforcement.
Hunters also are encouraged to pick up a free copy of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's backcountry game meat care guide. The guide has helpful tips to ensure proper handling of game to avoid wasting the meat. The guide is available at Fish and Game offices and license vendors.
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Youth hunters who want an early shot at a duck or goose may participate in the youth waterfowl hunt this Saturday and Sunday.
The youth waterfowl hunt is open to licensed youth hunters 10 to 15 years old.
The regular waterfowl season opens the following weekend, on Oct. 2 in northern and eastern Idaho, and on Oct. 9 in the southwestern part of the state. The scaup season opens Oct. 23 in the northern and eastern parts of the state, and Oct. 30 in the southwest.
The waterfowl youth hunt includes goose, duck, coot and snipe.
Bag limits for ducks and geese in the youth hunt will remain the same as for the general season.
The daily limit is seven ducks, which may include no more than one canvasback, two pintails, two redheads, two mallard hens or three scaup. The daily limit on geese is four dark geese and 10 light geese.
Youth hunters must have a 2010 Idaho hunting license and a federal migratory game bird harvest information program validation. But a federal duck stamp is not required for the youth hunters.
At least one adult 18 years old or older having a valid hunting license, must accompany each youth hunting party into the field at all times. Adults are not allowed to hunt.