Updated Idaho Bird Hunting Regs For 2009

Below are updated bird hunting regulations for 2009, but don’t take my word for it, always check with Fish and Game for the latest info since rules and limits can change up to opening day - or conditions can force changes during the hunting season. I believe that there are a couple of typos published in the newspaper which I will check out with Fish and Game, but go with this unless you hear otherwise.

Youth waterfowl hunt is Sept. 26 and 27 for licensed hunters 15 and younger. All license requirements apply and nontoxic shot must be used.

Canada and white-fronted geese: Oct. 3 - Jan. 15, 2010 in northern and eastern Idaho;
Oct. 10 - Jan. 22, 2010 in the southwestern part of the state;
Daily bag limit is 4 first day and possession of 8 after first day.

Snow and Ross’s geese: Oct. 3 - Jan. 15, 2010
A 2-part season runs in:
Southeastern Idaho and a portion of Magic Valley Oct. 30 - Jan. 22, 2010, then Feb. 20 - Mar. 20, 2010;
Southwestern Idaho and a majority of Magic Valley Oct. 30 - Jan 22, 2010, then Feb. 20 - March 10, 2010. The daily bag limit is 10 geese and 20 in possession after first day.

Ducks:
Oct. 3 - Jan 15, 2010 in northern and eastern Idaho;
Oct. 20 - Jan. 23, 2010 in the southwestern part of Idaho.
Bag limit is 7 ducks but no more than 2 female mallards, 2 redheads, 3 scaup, 2 pintails, and 1 canvasback. The possession limit after the first day is twice the daily limit.
Scaup - Oct. 24 - Jan. 22, 2010 in northern and eastern Idaho;
 Oct 31 - Jan. 22, 2010 in the southwestern part of Idaho.
Canvasback - season re-opens for canvasbacks in 2009.

Sage Grouse: Most of Lemhi and part of Custer county is a 7-day season and bag limit is 1 bird, 2 in possession after opening day.
There were no changes in sage hen seasons from 2008 in:

Southwestern Owyhee County, Sept. 19 - Oct. 11 with a daily bag limit of 2, 4 in possession after first day;
Northwestern Owyhee County, Sept. 19 - Sept. 25 with a daily bag limit of 1, 2 in possession after first day;
Eastern Owyhee is closed.
Magic Valley, Sept. 19 - Sept. 25 with a daily bag limit of 1, 2 in possession after first day;
Big Desert west of I-15 and south of ID-20, Sept. 19 - Sept. 25 with a daily bag limit of 1, 2 in possession after first day;
Curlew Grasslands in parts of Power, Oneida and Cassia counties, Sept. 19 - Sept. 25 with a daily bag limit of 1, 2 in possession after first day;
Southeastern part of the state east of I-15 and south of ID-26, closed;
Most of the Upper Snake, Sept 19 - Oct. 11 with a daily bag limit of 2, 4 in possession after first day;
The southeast, north and most of the western part of the state is closed.

Upland birds:
Dove, forest grouse and Sandhill Crane seasons begin September 1.

Good luck, enjoy your dogs and the outdoors, and be safe!