October 11, 2012

More waterfowl seasons open Oct. 13

By Niels Nokkentved, IDFG

The waterfowl season opens Saturday, Oct. 13, in Area 2, and runs through Jan. 25.

Area 2 includes all of the state not included in Area 1, which opened Oct. 6.

Area 1 includes all of the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Caribou County within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power County east of State Hwy. 37 and State Hwy. 39.

The daily bag limit is seven ducks; but no more than two female mallards, two redheads, two pintails and one canvasback. The possession limit is twice the daily limit. The bag limit for Wilson's snipe is 8, and 16 after the first day of the season; the limit for coots is 25.

The season for dark geese - Canada and white-fronted - is the same as the duck season. The daily bag limit is four dark geese, and 10 light geese - blue, snow and Ross's. Possession limits after the first day of the season are eight dark geese and 20 light geese. (See map on Page 10 in rules brochure, www. fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/rules/?getPage=66.)

Seasons for light - blue, snow and Ross's - geese:

§ In Area 1, runs from Oct. 6 through Jan. 18. Area 1 includes the Fort Hall Indian Reservation and private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham County east of the west bank of the Snake River and the American Falls Reservoir bluff, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Caribou County within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power County east of State Hwy. 37 and State Hwy. 39. (See map on Page 11 in rules brochure.)

§ In Area 2, runs from Oct. 29 through Jan. 18 and from Feb. 16 through March 10, 2013. Area 2 includes Bingham County west of the west bank of the Snake River and the American Falls Reservoir bluff; Power County north of Interstate 86 and west of the west bank of the Snake River and the American Falls Reservoir bluff.

§ In Area 3, runs from Nov. 5 through Jan. 25 and from Feb. 16 through March 10, 2013. Area 3 includes Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls and Washington counties. During the spring 2013 season, closed areas include the Fort Boise and Payette River WMAs and that portion of the Roswell Marsh Wildlife Habitat Area south of State Highway 18, and the Snake River Islands Unit of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge.

§ In Area 4, runs from Oct. 13 through Jan. 25, 2013. Fremont and Teton counties are closed, which was omitted from the 2012 Waterfowl Seasons and Rules brochure. Hunters are asked to make note of this error. Area 4 includes all parts of the state not included in Areas 1, 2 and 3.

Hunters must have a valid 2012 Idaho hunting license, and any person 16 or older who hunts migratory game birds, such as ducks or geese, must have in their possession a federal migratory bird stamp, which costs $15 and is valid from July 1 through June 30 of the following year.

All waterfowl hunters also need a federal migratory game bird harvest information program validation, which is $1.75 for residents, or $4.75 for nonresidents, and is valid from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 of each year.

Only approved nontoxic shot may be used to hunt waterfowl. For a list go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at www. fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/nontoxic.htm, or at the local Fish and Game office.

Hunters are encouraged to check the new rules brochure available online at www.fishand game.idaho.gov/public/hunt/rules/?getPage=66, and at license vendors and Fish and Game offices.