Time for Paperwork
by Ed Mitchell
With big game hunting over for the year, it¡¦s time to think about the paperwork for next fall.
Spring and application time for controlled hunts will be upon us sooner than seems possible here in the depths of winter. This is the best time to take care of licenses, sending for hunt applications (for those considering controlled hunts) and pulling together whatever planning aids and maps you may need. Maps always make the hunting dreams a little more vivid, don¡¦t they?
All moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunting in Idaho is by controlled hunt only. Moose are available only to residents of Idaho or former residents who hold lifetime licenses. Bighorn and goat hunting is open to nonresidents. The application period for these trophy species is the month of April.
May is the month for applying for deer, elk and antelope controlled hunts.
Controlled hunt applications can only be made by holders of a valid license, one of the main reasons for thinking ahead.
Hunters who might want to use services of an outfitter would do well to start making arrangements early in the year. Outfitters are generally looking for bookings at this time of year and they will be working the big sport shows to sign folks up for this fall. Guaranteeing you have the outfitter you want, in the time period and area you prefer, is best done before 1997 gets a lot older.
Nonresidents can obtain a package with most of the paperwork they need right now by calling 1-800-635-7820, emailing to idfginfo@idfg.state.id.us or snailmailing the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. Licenses and tags can be had with a credit card at 1-800-554-8685.
Residents can buy licenses using the credit card number, by visiting any of the hundreds of private vendors or stopping at any Fish and Game office.
Big game rule booklets for 1997 will not be available until about a month before each application period.
There will be no license increase this year for either residents or nonresidents.