Controlled hunt results available on Fish and Game website

Results for Idaho's 2014 controlled hunts for deer, elk and pronghorn are now posted on the Idaho Department of Fish at Game website.

Hunters can check results at fishandgame.idaho.gov/CH.

Check your hunting license for your license number, have it ready, and follow the steps. High interest in these results is causing some delays on the Fish and Game website.

A new law that goes into effect July 1 allowing 10- and 11-year-olds to hunt big game caused some confusion during this application period and resulted in more than 1,000 controlled hunt applications that included 10- and 11-year-olds, mainly in group applications.

Even though the law doesn't take effect for a few more days, and the drawing occurred before then, Fish and Game decided to allow the applications to remain in the drawing for administrative and customer services reasons.

Because the vast majority of these applications were controlled hunt group applications submitted with other family members, removing those that included 10- and 11-year-olds would have disqualified approximately 2,500 additional individuals who otherwise would have been eligible to participate in the drawing.

Removing and/or correcting all 1,000-plus applications from the drawing would have taken significantly more time and delayed completion of the drawing and the release of results to our customers.

In a news release, Fish and Game apologized to those who wanted to submit controlled hunt applications on behalf of their child but didn't because the new law was not yet in effect.

Given the number of applications received, Fish and Game leaders felt this was the best option available. Because the new law will be in place July 1, 10- and 11-year-olds will be eligible to put in for the next controlled hunt application conducted in August, or they may purchase general season big game tags.

Interested 10- and 11-year-olds must hold a valid hunting license in order to apply for a controlled hunt. Anyone holding a Hunting Passport can purchase general season big game tags.