Meeting in Boise January 15-17, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved department recommendations to add one bull moose tag, to a total statewide of 1,004. One new hunt in Unit 58 was added and a split in hunt area 63A was made to separate units 63 and 63A. The Commission voted to add 84 antlerless moose permits statewide to a total of 231. New hunts for antlerless moose were approved in the Panhandle (Unit 1-1: 15 permits) and Upper Snake (Units 50, 59, 61-1, 61-2, 61-3, 62, 62A, 63, 66-1, 66-2, 67-1, 67-2: 69 permits).

New cow moose hunts were added to reduce the rate of population growth in suburban areas to reduce depredations, potential for vehicle collisions, and because of human health and safety concerns.

Bighorn sheep permits were reduced statewide from 79 to 75. Action was taken to reduce permits in Units 20A and 26 from six in each hunt to two. One permit was added in Unit 11 and one permit was added in Unit 28 where the hunt was split (28-1, 28-2). The hunt for California bighorns in Unit 46 was re-opened with two permits after being closed in 2001.

Adjustments were made in bighorn sheep permits because of an apparent shift in populations toward the upper Salmon River, perhaps caused by improved forage resulting from the wildfires in the summer of 2000. Aerial surveys indicated fewer bighorns in units 20A and 26 than in past years.

Minor reductions in mountain goat permits were also approved. Mountain goat numbers continue to dwindle in most areas except Hells Canyon, where herds have exhibited strong growth. The Commission voted to reduce permit levels in Units 30, 36A-1, 36A-4 and to close Units 27-1, and 67. The hunt in 59/59A was eliminated after being closed last year. The hunt in 18 was split and a new hunt in 22 was added with four permits. Statewide, goat permits were reduced from 47 to 40.

Changes will be included in the new trophy species proclamation booklet which will be available before controlled hunt applications for moose, goat and sheep are due in the month of April.