Apply now for southern turkey hunts
Tom turkeys show off their regalia on a cool spring Idaho morning. Photo courtesy of IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Gobbler hunters who plan to head south to take part in a spring controlled hunt for turkeys can apply this month.
The application period began Feb. 1 for hunters who hope to participate in the southern and eastern Idaho spring controlled turkey hunts. The application period runs through March 1 and results will be made available by March 20.
Under new rules, Fish and Game will no longer accept mail-in applications for controlled hunts. Hunters may apply at any hunting and fishing license vendor or Fish and Game office.
There are just 16 controlled hunts across the state for spring turkey, including seven youth-only hunts. Junior hunters must be between the ages of 10 and 17 to participate in controlled youth hunts, but a 9-year-old may buy a junior license to apply for a controlled hunt, provided the hunter is 10 years old at the time of the hunt.
A turkey hunter must have a controlled hunt permit and a general tag to hunt in a controlled hunt, and can only harvest one bird per controlled hunt permit. An extra tag may not be used with a controlled hunt permit.
There is a nonrefundable application fee of $6.25 for residents and $14.75 for nonresidents. Only one application per person or group will be accepted.
Payment can be made with a credit card by calling 800-554-8685; or online. A 2019 Idaho hunting license is required to apply. Check the Idaho Fish and Game Upland rule book pages 23-26 for controlled hunts. The rule book is on the IDFG website.