Sage-grouse hunting season proposal

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking public input on sage-grouse hunting proposals.

Upland bird managers will present sage-grouse hunting season recommendations to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Commission at the Aug. 11 meeting.

Recommendations follow the hunting season and bag-limit guidelines as laid out in the state plan for sage-grouse. These guidelines compare the current three-year running average of male sage-grouse counted at leks (breeding sites) with counts from 1996-2000 when Idaho began intensified surveys statewide.

Current sage-grouse lek data indicate that many populations could be hunted at the "restrictive" level. The guidelines also allow the flexibility to consider local issues of concern, such as insufficient data, isolated populations, or impacts of wildfire and West Nile virus.

Sage-grouse are proposed for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act, primarily due to habitat loss from such things as wildfire and invasive plants like cheat grass.

Sage-grouse experts have determined that carefully regulated hunting is not a primary threat to populations, and Fish and Game closely monitors sage-grouse annually to ensure hunting will not compromise the population.

The department is considering two options for the 2014 season.

One option would be no change from the 2013 season.

A restrictive, seven-day, one-bird daily limit statewide within sage-grouse range, except in designated closed areas, Sept. 20 through Sept. 26. Closed: East Idaho Uplands area in southeastern Idaho; Washington and Adams counties; eastern Owyhee County and western Twin Falls County; and Elmore County.

The second option would be the same as the first, but would add a new closure in parts of Bannock, Cassia, Oneida and Power counties. Males at leks in this area have declined by 53 percent since 2011, Fish and Game said.

Candidate species are currently under state management and hunting sage-grouse is legal. Fish and Game closely monitors sage-grouse populations annually.

The public comment period is open until Aug. 5. Regional Fish and Game offices have specific information on sage-grouse hunting, the season proposals and accept comments. More information and chances to comment also are on the department's website.