Jan. 02–JEROME — The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking public comments on the 2014-15 and 2015-16 upland game, turkey and furbearer seasons.
In the Magic Valley region, Fish and Game proposes:
— To add Rock Creek to the exceptions for beaver trapping in Blaine County to enhance recovery efforts, and to add part of Clover Creek to exceptions. Clover Creek would be closed to beaver trapping east of Bliss-Hill City Road.
— To add Niagara Springs Wildlife Management Area to the list of areas where pheasant shooting hours begin at 10 a.m. to ensure the safety of Fish and Game employees and volunteers who release pheasants.
— To reduce the number of permits for each of the controlled spring turkey hunts in Unit 54 (Hunts 9008, 9009 and 9010); and to eliminate fall turkey controlled Hunt 9020 in Unit 54. Turkey numbers have declined since a wildfire in 2012 greatly reduced turkey habitat in Unit 54.
Hunters may attend an open house, 3-6 p.m. today at the Southwest Region office, 3101 S. Powerline Road, Nampa. Or, submit comments by mail to 2014-15 Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer Proposals, P.O. Box 25, Boise ID 83707, or by contacting regional wildlife managers.
To comment on proposals online, go to https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/webform/furbearer-proposals-2014-2015 or https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/webform/upland-game-and-turkey-proposals-season-setting-2014-2015-and-2015-2016.
The deadline for submitting comments is Jan. 3.
Public comments will be summarized and presented to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for consideration before seasons are set at the Jan. 16 commission meeting.