Hunter comments sought on big game season changes

| February 27, 2014 8:00 PM

Hunters are encouraged to attend one of several open house meetings around the state to visit with biologists about proposed changes to the 2014 big game seasons and rules.

The Panhandle Region will host a meeting today from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway Ave., Coeur d'Alene.

Proposed season changes for the Panhandle Region:

White-tailed Deer

Increase opportunity.

* Increase length of doe season in general hunt.

* Increase tags from 300 to 350 in Extra Antlerless Controlled Hunt Area 1X.

* Increase tags from 50 to 100 in Extra Antlerless Controlled Hunt Area 3X and expand hunt boundary to private lands in the entire unit.

Mule Deer

* No changes proposed.

Offer additional antlerless or either sex harvest where appropriate to address or proactively prevent crop depredation.

* Increase tags from 50 to 100 in Antlerless Controlled Hunt in Unit 3 (Hunt Area 3-1), lengthen season to Aug. 1 to Dec. 31 (earlier opener), and expand hunt boundary to portions of Units 4 and 6 to address depredation/landowner concerns.

* Increase tags from 50 to 75 in Antlerless Controlled Hunt in Unit 5 (Hunt Area 5-2), lengthen season to Aug. 1 to Dec. 31 (earlier opener).

* Increase tags from 300 to 400 in Either Sex Controlled Hunt in Unit 5 (Hunt Area 5-1).

Black Bear

Increase opportunity. Reduce impacts of predation on elk populations in portions of the Panhandle elk zone. Modify seasons to attempt to meet black bear management plan objectives.

* Increase harvest in Unit 4A to 2 bears and allow use of electronic calls.

* Extend spring take season to May 31 in Units 2, 3 and 5.

* Extend spring take season to June 30 in Units 4 and 4A.

* Remove dog training seasons in Units 4, 4A and 6. (Take seasons are available in Units 7 and 9 to replace the dog training seasons in Units 4, 4A and 6.)

Mountain Lion

Increase opportunity. Reduce impacts of predation on elk populations in portions of the Panhandle elk zone. Attempt to bring mountain lion harvest closer to mountain lion management plan objectives.

* Extend season closing date to March 31 in Units 2, 3, 4, 4A and 5.

* Increase bag limit to 2 lions and allow use of electronic calls in Unit 6.

Gray Wolf

* No changes proposed.

The proposed season changes are also available for public review and comment on the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. Only those seasons and hunts for which changes are proposed are listed. All others will remain the same as they were during the 2013 hunting season.

Public comments on the proposals are considered an essential part of the season setting process. All comments received by March 9 will be summarized and presented to the IDFG Commission at itsMarch 19-21 meeting in Boise where big game seasons will be set.