news
Waterfowl hunters face only a few minor changes from last year in the coming hunting seasons.
Seasons will be the same length as last year: 106 days for ducks (one of the federally-permitted 107 days will go to the Youth Waterfowl Hunt) and 99 days for geese (also one of 100 allowed days to the Youth Hunt). The seven-duck bag limit is unchanged except that only four scaup will be allowed in the daily bag. While most species of ducks have recovered to historic highs, scaup populations have dropped in recent years. Scaup, commonly called bluebills, are not among the most popular species with Idaho waterfowlers, so the drop in bag limit is not expected to be an important factor here.
This year’s waterfowl booklet will clarify the rules on the Youth Waterfowl Hunt to ensure that hunters understand each youth hunter is to be accompanied by an adult. The youth hunts were established to help mentor young waterfowl hunters who are, under federal guidelines, each to have an adult with them. This year’s Youth Waterfowl Hunt is set for September 25.
The proposed waterfowl hunting rules are on this week’s Fish and Game Commission meeting agenda for action. Following Commission action, the waterfowl hunting booklet will be prepared and printed for distribution to Fish and Game offices and license vendors in mid-September. The regular duck and goose hunts will begin October 2.
Uploaded: 8/14/1999
Uploaded: 8/14/1999