Lots of deer tags are left in the multi-units youth deer hunt in Southwest Idaho, according to Fish and Game spokesman Jack Trueblood. "There were 1,395 permits available for this controlled hunt as of July 14. It offers a great opportunity for deer hunters to help their kids learn and encourage them to hunt." The controlled hunt, number 1081, includes all of game management units 19A, 20A, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 31, 32A, 33, 34, 35 and 38.

Some license vendors have reported that hunters were reluctant to purchase the leftover permits because they thought the entire youth hunt was limited to "short-range" weapons. "That's not the case," Trueblood said. "The short-range restriction only applies to Unit 38, here in the Boise Valley. The rest of the units are 'any weapon.' The seasons in the youth hunt can open as early as October 5 and run as late as October 31, as long as the general deer season is open in the unit they are hunting. This matches the young hunters up with the times when their parents or mentors would be out hunting."

Youngsters can take either a buck or a doe in this hunt, which gives them a greater chance of harvesting a deer early in their hunting career. To qualify, a person must have been age 15 or younger on January 1, 2000. The costs include $6.50 for the controlled-hunt application fee and $6.50 for the permit, plus the $9.75 cost of a youth deer tag. Permits are available at license vendors statewide.


Oregon — Furbearer Seasons Set, But What's the Future?

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted regulations Friday for furbearer seasons through 2002.

The Commission approved season dates, open areas and harvest limits for furbearers and unprotected mammals in the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 seasons, and upheld the mandatory harvest report that is used to document the effect of harvest on Oregon's furbearers.

Oregon licensed 847 furtakers and 799 fur hunters in 1998. Furtaker revenue from pelts in the 1998-1999 season was estimated at $212,817.

Measure 97 is an initiative that bans body-gripping animal traps and some poisons, and restricts fur commerce. If the initiative passes on the November 7 general election ballot, current regulations regarding traps, trapping methods and pelt sales would change when the initiative becomes effective on December 7, 2000.


Oregon — Raffle and Auction Hunts

The Commission approved nine Access and Habitat (A&H) auction hunts and 10 raffle hunts for 2001, which is the same number offered in 2000.

The Commission approved a recommendation by the A&H Board to replace the Hart Mountain Mule Deer Hunt in the Auction and Raffle Hunt Program after ticket sales for the Hart Mountain Mule Deer Hunt decreased from 17,803 in 1999 to 4,972 in 2000. Total raffle sales decreased from 55,257 in 1999 to 40,363 this year. Sales from the Auction and Raffle program generate revenue for projects that increase hunter access and improve game habitat.

Auction profits for the Hart Mountain Mule Deer Hunt decreased from $27,000 in 1999 to $11,000 in 2000, while total revenue from auctions decreased by about 11 percent from $164,500 in 1999 to $147,000 in 2000.

The A&H Board said that the decreased interest in the Hart Mountain Mule Deer Hunt was due partially to the unfavorable hunting experience of 1999 tag holders. The Board said that hunter interest for the other nine tags is strong, and a Statewide Deer Hunt would increase interest by offering hunters the option of hunting anywhere in the state.


Utah — Hunt Changes To Be Discussed

Public input about holding experimental spring bear hunts and increasing the number of cougars taken in Utah will be sought at upcoming Regional Advisory Council meetings.

Other items, including rules for Utah's upcoming waterfowl season, also will be discussed.

At the meetings the public will hear presentations about the proposals and may ask questions and provide their input and suggestions. RAC citizen representatives will take the public input received to the Utah Wildlife Board.

The board will likely approve rules for Utah's 2000 - 2001 cougar season at its August 17 meeting in Salt Lake City.

A decision about an experimental spring bear hunt in 2001 will not be made by the board any sooner than its September 14 meeting in Price.


Wyoming — Fall Turkey Application Deadline August 15th

Fall turkey hunters are alerted their applications for limited-quota areas must be received by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Cheyenne office by 5 p.m. on August 15.

In the spring, hunters have been able to purchase a license over-the-counter for the Black Hills. This fall the quota in the Black Hills (area 1) is 1,000, up 250 licenses from last year. For the first time, license numbers are not limited in areas 3, 5 and 7 and can be purchased September 15-November 30 from license agents in those areas and the Sheridan, Casper and Cheyenne G&F offices.

Hunters can only purchase one fall turkey license.

Fall turkey applications are available at license agents, G&F offices and by calling (800) 842-1934.