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Meeting in Orofino December 6-8, the Fish and Game Commission has approved wild turkey hunting seasons for 2001 as proposed by the Fish and Game Department.
Public comment was taken throughout most of Idaho before proposed seasons were presented to the Commission.
New seasons have been added in recent years as wild turkey numbers have expanded in Idaho. Tag sales grew from 1,436 in 1990, when the total turkey harvest was 291 statewide, to more than 18,000 in 2000 when more than 4,800 birds were taken. The 2000 figures include the estimated number of Sportsman Pack (a package of tags and permits that includes turkey) who actually hunted turkey. It also includes buyers of second spring tags and fall tags.
Seasons and rules approved by the Fish and Game Commission are as follows:
PANHANDLE:
Spring Controlled Season: April 15-May 25 (525 permits)
Spring General Season: May 1-25 (2nd tag valid May 10-25)
Rationale: Turkeys tend to remain concentrated on their winter grounds until May 1 in the Panhandle. Offering an early spring controlled hunt ensures a low hunter density that reduces access conflicts on private property, improves hunter safety, and reduces the frequency of hunter disturbance from other hunters.
Fall General Season: September 15-30
Rationale: The fall general season is a change from the fall controlled hunt last year, reduces the cost of the hunt to $18, and does not overlap with big game rifle seasons in the same area. The September season is 4 days longer than last year and would run concurrent with other fall seasons in the state.
CLEARWATER (Add Unit 10)
Spring General Season: April 15-May 25 (2nd tag valid May 10-25)
Fall General Season: September 15-30
Rationale: Only 122 hunters participated in the fall controlled hunt last year. Consequently, only 80 birds were harvested compared to the 2,200 birds harvested during the spring season. Converting to a general fall hunt might not have much impact on the number of participants and will hold the cost down at $18.
SOUTHWEST (Add Unit 24)
Spring General Season: April 15-May 25 (2nd tag valid May 10-25)
Spring Controlled Season: April 15-May 25 (75 permits-Unit 38)
Fall Controlled Season: September 15-30 (500 permits)
Rationale: There were 539 first-choice applicants for 250 controlled hunt permits in the Southwest Region last fall. Maintaining a controlled hunt season but increasing permits to 500 will prevent any possibility of too many hunters.
SOUTHEAST
Spring Controlled Season: April 15-21, April 22-30, May1-14 (135 permits, 6 hunts)
Rationale: First-choice applicants increased from 1,016 in 1999 to 1,253 in 2000. These application rates reinforce the growing popularity of turkey hunting in the Southeast Region. Spring controlled hunts are necessary in these small areas to keep hunter numbers within safe and tolerable levels. Retaining the three staggered seasons will minimize hunter densities.
Fall General Season:September 15-30
Rationale: Fall Harvest data indicated that at least 420 hunters participated during the October 1-31, 2000 general fall season. Although this hunt was received well by hunters and landowners, landowner tolerance levels may be exceeded if participation increases. Shifting the season to September 15-30 would reduce the season by 15 days, create more consistency among regions, and keep the cost at $18.
Uploaded: 12/12/2000
Uploaded: 12/12/2000