1 April Hunting News April 1, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information Black Bear Hunts, Elk Hunts, Idaho Hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, Trophy Species 0 No changes in 2020 Idaho hunting/fishing seasons due to COVID-19 Idaho Fish and Game has established a new page on its website to provide you with information concerning changes in hunting/fishing regs or dates due to COVID-19. So far so good, as there are no drastic changes. “Traditional hunting and fishing seasons remain unaffected.” Click https://idfg.idaho.gov/covid19 for details and updates. Changes in capped elk tags for Idaho residents As of March 20, Idaho residents who applied for a controlled-hunt elk tag in 2020 will have to wait 5 days to purchase capped elk-zone tags when tags go on sale in July, “regardless of whether the person draws the controlled hunt tag”. That last part is a bit harsh. Fish & Game figures it will reduce the initial demand for first-come, first-served, capped tags when they go on sale as “demand far exceeds supply” in some elk zones. The waiting period does not apply to nonresident tags, which have been on sale since December 1, 2019. For details see: https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/attention-elk-hunters-if-you-apply-controlled-elk-hunt-2020-you-will-be-ineligible-buy-cappedIdaho trophy species tags open for applicationThe tag application period for Idaho trophy species (moose/sheep/goat) runs from April 1st to April 30th. Idaho does not use a bonus/preference point system and hunters can only apply for 1 of the 3 trophy species per year. If you do apply for any of the 3 trophy species you are also not permitted to apply for any controlled-hunt elk, deer, or pronghorn tags the same year. This tag-allocation system limits applicants-per-species greatly, which offers you reasonable odds of drawing a tag. For more information on applying for Idaho trophy species tags see Castle Creek Outfitters April 1st blog post: https://www.castlecreekoutfitters.com/ Idaho Fish & Game increases the limit on wolf tags Beginning this year, the statewide limit on gray wolf in Idaho has increased to 15 wolves taken by hunting, and 15 wolves taken by trapping. Previously, the limits had been either 5 or 10 wolves per hunting and trapping season, depending on region. This won’t affect many hunters, though it shows that the state of Idaho has their act together when it comes to managing wolves. My home state of Minnesota is overrun with wolves and they can’t get a simple season passed with a 1-wolf limit. According to Idaho Fish & Game, in 2019 there were 5 people total in the state, who harvested more than 10 wolves each (from a combination of hunting and trapping). For details see: https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/fg-commission-increases-number-wolf-tags-hunters-and-trappers-can- purchase Good hunting, Joe Cavanaugh Related Posts 2010 Idaho Hunting Season Comes to a Close Hunting season in Idaho’s backcountry unit 27 comes to an official close on November 18 and this year the snow began to roll in about then. So after 2 days of packing out camp it was time to chain up and haul livestock over the pass to winter quarters and begin the drying out of tents, tack and equipment. Riding in to pack camp after the last hunter leaves is always sort of a bitter sweet journey. Sun Sets on 2015 Wild Idaho Hunting Seasons 2015 will go down as one of Wild Idaho Outfitters most successful hunting seasons of our career. Beginning with spring Bear hunting where we enjoyed a full 75% opportunity rate to our fall hunting seasons where we went just under 100% opportunity rate on an animal. And most importantly, almost everyone who hunted with us this year lived. Those few exceptions were probably a little ill anyway. Yes folks that is one of my corny outfitter jokes. First Hunting Season of 2016 Opens Now that all the hoopla surrounding the Holidays are over and the New Year is officially underway, it is time to get down to the serious business of planning for all the hunting seasons the upcoming year will provide. Idaho Fish & Game Commission Extends Wolf Hunting and Trapping Seasons Idaho Fish and Game recently extended wolf hunting seasons, opened more areas to wolf trapping and extended trapping seasons over most of the state. Changes went into effect immediately on February 20, 2020. Wolf hunting season in Frank Church Wilderness game units 20A, 26, and 27 has been extended by one month. Bear Hunting with Our Next Generation I had an exceedingly refreshing hunting experience this past spring-bear season. In camp we had 2 youths; one was a 12-year-old boy, Austin, who was hunting with his father, the other was my 18-year-old daughter, Suzy, who was our camp cook. Idaho Spring Bear Hunting Season Officially Opens Today is the day we have waited all winter for! It is officially Idaho spring bear hunting season. If you are not hunting with us (which we obviously hope you are) then hope you are hunting with another Idaho bear hunting outfitter. Comment (0) Comments are closed.