HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE
Boise, ID
| Date: | August 8, 2005 |
| Contact: | Ed Mitchell (208) 334-3700 |
Waterfowlers Offered a 107-day Season
Waterfowl counts look much like they did last year and a season similar to last year's is proposed.
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will set Idaho's waterfowl seasons when it meets in Boise August 29-30.
The department is surveying 1,000 waterfowl hunters and has sent its proposals to hunter organizations. Comments will be taken on the department Internet web site http://fishandgame.idaho.gov where users will find a link on the home page. Regional Fish and Game offices will also gather public comment. Written comments can be mailed to IDFG, Tom Hemker, P.O.Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. Comments need to be submitted as soon as possible to be considered by the department and Commission.
The following are department proposals for the 2005-2006 seasons:
Take the maximum allowed by federal framework with two zones:
 | Northern and Eastern Idaho Zone, Panhandle, Clearwater, Southeast,
Upper Snake, and Salmon regions. - Geese and ducks (except canvasbacks): October 1 to January 13. - Canvasbacks: October 1 to November 29. - Coots and snipe: October 1 to January 13. |
| Southwestern Zone, Southwest and Magic Valley regions - Geese, ducks (except canvasbacks): October 8 to January 20. - Canvasbacks: October 8 to December 6. - Coots and snipe: October 8 to January 20. |
| Youth Hunt (Statewide) - September 24 and 25 - Licensed youth aged 15 and under |
The department recommends taking the full duck bag allowed of 7 total ducks but not more than 1 canvasback, 2 female mallards, 1 pintail, 2 readheads, or 3 scaup. The scaup bag would be reduced from 4 to 3 in 2005 as required by federal framework
The department recommends altering the goose bags to allow four of any kind in all of the state except the Magic Valley zone where three geese of any kind would be allowed. This reflects a federal framework change because of an increase in light geese in the Flyway and simplifies the rules.
Total ducks counted in the traditional Canada and northcentral US survey area was 31.7 million ducks, similar to the 32.2 million counted in 2004. Mallards were down 11 percent to 7.54 million from 8.36 million in 2004. The projected 2005 fall flight is 9.3 million mallards, similar to the 2004 fall flight prediction of 9.4 million. Mallards in southern Alberta, a key production.
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