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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Idaho moose, bighorn, goat apps due April 30

The Idaho Legislature essentially mandated that bighorn sheep be killed or moved if they wander onto public grazing allotments above Hell’s Canyon. The  (File The Associated Press)
The Idaho Legislature essentially mandated that bighorn sheep be killed or moved if they wander onto public grazing allotments above Hell’s Canyon. The (File The Associated Press)

HUNTING -- The deadline for Idaho moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat controlled hunt applications is April 30, according to the state Fish and Game Department.

Moose population changes, primarily in the Clearwater and Panhandle regions, have prompted the state to offer 46 fewer bull tags but 11 more antlerless tags.

Bighorn sheep changes are in the Salmon Region, where Hunt Area 27-4 was split into two separate hunt areas; the portion of hunt area 27-4 within unit 27 will be Hunt Area 27-5 with two tags, and the portion of 27-4 that falls in the Yankee Fork Drainage in unit 36 will be Hunt Area 36 with one tag.

Mountain goat hunting involves only on change in the Upper Snake Region where hunt area 51 is closed, eliminating three tags.

For moose, goat and sheep hunt applications only, the entire application fee must be paid with the application. All but the $6.25 application fee ($14.75 for nonresidents), will be refunded to those who do not draw. The resident application, including permit fee, costs $173; nonresidents pay $2,116.50. Unsuccessful resident applicants will receive a refund of $166.75; unsuccessful nonresident applicants will receive a refund of $2,101.75.

Read on for other details.

Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than April 30.

Hunters who apply for moose, goat and sheep may not apply for other controlled hunts in the same year except for unlimited controlled hunts, extra deer, elk or antelope hunts, controlled bear hunts or depredation hunts. Those who draw a moose, goat or sheep permit may not apply to hunt the same species for two years, even if they don’t kill an animal.

Any person who has killed an antlered moose in Idaho may apply only for an antlerless moose permit. Any person who has killed an antlerless moose in Idaho may apply only for an antlered moose permit. Any person who has killed a mountain goat in Idaho since 1977 may not apply for a mountain goat permit. Anyone who has killed a California bighorn or a Rocky Mountain bighorn may not apply again for the same species of sheep, but they may apply for the other subspecies.



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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