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Deer hunters in the area around Boise will begin their season five days later but on the same day as hunters across the state.
They'll also get to choose which type of deer they want to hunt — mule deer or white-tailed deer.
But Idaho Fish and Game commissioners put off a vote on the elk season until today because Commissioner John Watts of Boise was absent for that portion of the meeting.
The general deer season will open Oct. 10 statewide, a part of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's effort to standardize hunting seasons. Southwest Idaho seasons had been set to begin five days earlier and end Oct. 31 under the staff recommendation. In other parts of the state the season will last longer.
But Commissioner John Watts of Boise, who represents the Southwest region, requested the change because of concerns that hunters from around the state would converge on the region for the early season.
"By moving the days later, you may get a few less days but you won't get any worse hunting conditions later," said Steve Huffaker, Idaho Department of Fish and Game director.
Brad Moss, a Boise hunter, supported the proposal even though it means fewer days to hunt in Unit 39, the area north and east of Boise that is most popular with Treasure Valley hunters.
"By lengthening the season in eastern Idaho it will give us a better opportunity to hunt those deer," Moss said. "Where I hunt, it will extend my season."
The other major change was the state's shift to offering hunters a choice between a mule deer tag and a white-tailed deer tag. Northern Idaho especially has a large white-tailed deer population, and there also are strong numbers of white-tailed deer in the New Meadows and McCall area.
Mule deer and whitetailed deer seasons will open at the same time, but in many areas white-tailed deer seasons last far into November.
Hunters with a general tag can hunt either species anywhere in the state during October deer seasons.
Hunters with a white-tailed deer tag can hunt only white-tailed deer, but they can do so anywhere in the state, including coveted late-season hunts.
As they set the seasons, Fish and Game commissioners heard generally good news about deer and elk from staff biologists.
"In a nutshell, whitetail are doing fine, mule deer populations are increasing in most areas," said Brad Compton, Idaho Department of Fish and Game's big game manager.
In the McCall and Salmon areas, elk numbers have increased. In other places, like the Lemhi and Pahsimeroi river areas, the population has declined. Biologists have concerns about low cow-to-calf ratios, which indicate the overall productivity of the population, in the Clearwater and Salmon River basins.
Then there are places like the Tex Creek area east of Idaho Falls, where the elk are prolific. Even with a liberal cow elk hunting season last year that was designed to reduce the herd, its elk population remains far above the state's objective. An even more liberal season is proposed for this year.
"The elk population is relatively stable," Compton said.
The commission set bear, antelope and mountain lion seasons with few changes, but held off on voting on the elk season because of the absence of Watts. He came late in the morning in time to discuss the deer rules then left to return to his lobbying job at the Idaho Capitol. When he didn't return for the afternoon session, Commission Chairman Marcus Gibbs of Grace delayed the vote until today.
They'll also get to choose which type of deer they want to hunt — mule deer or white-tailed deer.
But Idaho Fish and Game commissioners put off a vote on the elk season until today because Commissioner John Watts of Boise was absent for that portion of the meeting.
The general deer season will open Oct. 10 statewide, a part of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's effort to standardize hunting seasons. Southwest Idaho seasons had been set to begin five days earlier and end Oct. 31 under the staff recommendation. In other parts of the state the season will last longer.
But Commissioner John Watts of Boise, who represents the Southwest region, requested the change because of concerns that hunters from around the state would converge on the region for the early season.
"By moving the days later, you may get a few less days but you won't get any worse hunting conditions later," said Steve Huffaker, Idaho Department of Fish and Game director.
Brad Moss, a Boise hunter, supported the proposal even though it means fewer days to hunt in Unit 39, the area north and east of Boise that is most popular with Treasure Valley hunters.
"By lengthening the season in eastern Idaho it will give us a better opportunity to hunt those deer," Moss said. "Where I hunt, it will extend my season."
The other major change was the state's shift to offering hunters a choice between a mule deer tag and a white-tailed deer tag. Northern Idaho especially has a large white-tailed deer population, and there also are strong numbers of white-tailed deer in the New Meadows and McCall area.
Mule deer and whitetailed deer seasons will open at the same time, but in many areas white-tailed deer seasons last far into November.
Hunters with a general tag can hunt either species anywhere in the state during October deer seasons.
Hunters with a white-tailed deer tag can hunt only white-tailed deer, but they can do so anywhere in the state, including coveted late-season hunts.
As they set the seasons, Fish and Game commissioners heard generally good news about deer and elk from staff biologists.
"In a nutshell, whitetail are doing fine, mule deer populations are increasing in most areas," said Brad Compton, Idaho Department of Fish and Game's big game manager.
In the McCall and Salmon areas, elk numbers have increased. In other places, like the Lemhi and Pahsimeroi river areas, the population has declined. Biologists have concerns about low cow-to-calf ratios, which indicate the overall productivity of the population, in the Clearwater and Salmon River basins.
Then there are places like the Tex Creek area east of Idaho Falls, where the elk are prolific. Even with a liberal cow elk hunting season last year that was designed to reduce the herd, its elk population remains far above the state's objective. An even more liberal season is proposed for this year.
"The elk population is relatively stable," Compton said.
The commission set bear, antelope and mountain lion seasons with few changes, but held off on voting on the elk season because of the absence of Watts. He came late in the morning in time to discuss the deer rules then left to return to his lobbying job at the Idaho Capitol. When he didn't return for the afternoon session, Commission Chairman Marcus Gibbs of Grace delayed the vote until today.
