Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1924-07-18
CHICKEN SEASON
CLOSED FOR YEAR

Obdtc NdihS NdluSn uOtud5 luiS
week isued an order closing Owyhee
county on sage hens. This followed
by closing OF all of the southern Ida
no counties where the dry weather
has caused the birds to congregate
would be duck soup for the hunters.
II is quite likely that the grouse will
also be protected for year, as the
same conditions apply to this game
bird.
Mr.. Thomas issued the closing ord
er in. response to hundred of re-
quests from sportemen, who feel
that the best interests of Idaho will
be served by this move Almost
everyone with whom we have talked
commend this action on the part Of
the fish and game department
In connection with the closing
orders the fish and game department
says;
"A survey made early in the
spring indicated that Owyhee coun-
ty should be closed to the shooting
of sage hens Conditions in Adams
and Washington counties necessita-
ted their being closed. Twin Falls
county was closed last year for good
and sufficient reasons. All of Cas-
sia county lying within the Minido-
ka national forest and portions of
Oneida and Power counties lying
within the sublett division of the
Minidoka forest have also been
closed. This takes in large por-
tion of the sage hen and grouse dis
trict and will mean that practically
all hunters who have been going in
to other haunts Of these birds Will
flock into the small remaining open
territory and you can imagine the
slaugter that will ensue.
"As we view it, the season on
sage hens and grouse should be
closed for this year at least through
out all OF southern Idaho. We real
ize that there will be some objec-
tion on the part of sportsmen and
that our decision may not in some
instances be popular We expect to
be criticised, but, frankly, we have
in mind only the interests of the
sportsmen and the protection of
game birds, so that If we can con-
vince thinking people generally that
this is a necessary action and Sc
cure the support OF the majority of
the people, we will be glad to ac-
cept such adverse criticism as may
arise, with the knowledge that we
are doing our best for all concerned.
Some people may. possibly be dis
satisfied because their sport along
these lines will be curtailed, but 1t
should be remembered that the
spring of 1924 has been particularly
adapted to the Matching and rearing
of these binds. They are reported
to be plentiful this year in the sec
tions referred to. Lots of birds are
seen in Owyhee county where there
were practically none last year, all
owing to the extreme dry weather
and lack of rain. With good start
acquired in this way, is not this the
proper time to "elamp on the lid, i"
giving these birds at least one year
to come back? Then, If conditions
justify, the season can be re-opened
and everyone will have chance to
take these birds without occasioning
their extinction, or at least an ex-
cessive loss.
People will possibly argue that
because these birds appear plenti-
full, this is no time to close the sea
son. On the other hand, it is use
less to close the barn door after the
horse Is gone, and to wait until the
birds are almost extinct would be
suicidal as it would eventually re-
suit in possibly several years closed
season with less results and the pos
sibility, also, of their entire elimina-
tion."