In recognition of current licensing system issues, the Idaho Department Fish and Game has extended the big game application period to midnight on June 7. Fish and Game continues to work with its license system contractor to solve the problem so it can get the licensing system back online as soon as possible.

“We don’t have an estimated time yet, but we will inform people as soon as it’s live again,” said Michael Pearson, Fish and Game’s Chief of Administration.

In the meantime, Fish and Game is trying to ensure customers are treated fairly and have an opportunity to apply for controlled hunts. The department will be updating people on the website and through other means as more information becomes available.

“We value you as a customer and always want you to have a good experience with us,” Pearson said. “We realize we are not currently living up to those expectations, but we are doing our best to make it right.”

The deer, elk, antelope and fall black bear controlled hunt deadline is among the busiest days of the year for the licensing system. Last year, there were 166,000 applications for those controlled hunts, and Pearson said traditionally about 20 percent come on the final day of the application period, which opened on May 1.

It is not yet known whether extending the application deadline will affect the drawing and notification dates.

There will be no areas open to hunting on the Idaho National Laboratory site on Aug. 21.The path for observation of the zone of totality for the upcoming eclipse on Aug. 21 will cut directly across the site. High numbers of eclipse watchers are expecte…

Hunters have until midnight Monday, June 5 to apply for this fall’s deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear and turkey controlled hunts.

Hunters with a valid 2017 Idaho hunting license may apply for controlled hunts at any hunting and fishing license vendor, Fish and Game office; with a credit card by calling 1-800-554-8685, online at https://id.outdoorcentral.us, or by mail to Fish and Game’s License Section, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than June 5.

Hunters purchasing a license online before applying for a controlled hunt are reminded that Fish and Game has added security measures, which require the buyer to establish a unique account with a user name and password.

Hunters can make informed decisions on what controlled hunts to apply for by using the Hunt Planner on Fish and Game’s website that lists the drawing odds and statistics for all controlled hunts. The search tool is available at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/odds.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is holding two barbecue events for the volunteers who aided the department with the authorized feeding of big game in the southeast region.If you were a volunteer this past winter in our winter feeding efforts, ple…

Two orphaned mountain lion kittens recently took refuge behind hay bales in a barn in Meadows near McCall, much to the surprise of the property owners and their horses, according to a Fish and Game press release.

Too small to make it on their own, and after several weeks of becoming habituated to and fed by humans, Fish and Game decided that a captive facility would be the best option for these naïve youngsters.

It took some time to find a facility that would take them both, but space was ultimately secured at Elmwood Park Zoo in Pennsylvania.

With a new home waiting, Fish and Game wildlife biologists and conservation officers from McCall put in motion a two-step plan.

First, baited live-traps were set in the barn overnight in hopes the kittens would investigate the food and catch themselves. This approach succeeded on the second night.

Then the kittens were transferred from the live-traps to large crates for safe transport. After a stop at the Wildlife Health Lab in Nampa for a full physical exam, the brother-sister kittens were Pennsylvania-bound.

Fish and Game is asking the public for information regarding the recent poaching and wasting of five Canada geese, discovered Feb. 17 at Mountain Home Reservoir. The birds were shot and disposed of sometime the week before.

Citizens Against Poaching is offering a reward for information in the case and callers can remain anonymous. Citizens Against Poaching can be reached 24 hours a day at 1-800-632-5999.

Fish and Game conservation officer Greg Milner determined that all the geese had been killed with a shotgun at another location and subsequently dumped at the reservoir. No part of any of the birds was taken by the poacher. At least one bird had canine tooth marks on it, indicating that the shooter used a retrieving dog.

Evidence was collected at the scene, but Milner would like to speak with anyone who might have information about the poaching incident.

“I’m hopeful someone will make a call and provide information to move this case forward,” Milner said.

In addition to the CAP hotline, persons with information regarding this case may also contact the Fish and Game Nampa office at 208-465-8465 weekdays, Idaho State Police at 208-846-7550 on weekends or the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office anytime at 208-587-2121.

Idaho Fish and Game wants to hear from hunters on proposed changes to moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat seasons for 2017 and 2018.

The proposals are available for public review and comment on Fish and Game’s website at idfg.idaho.gov/comment.

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals can do so online or by attending one of several open houses scheduled throughout the state. A list of meetings is available at the link above or by contacting your nearest Fish and Game office.

Comments can also be mailed to: 2017-2018 MSG Species Season Proposals, PO Box 25, Boise, ID 83707.

The deadline for comments goes through Jan. 4. All comments will be summarized and presented to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission prior to setting the seasons at their Jan. 26 meeting in Boise.