Outdoors briefs May 23, 2013

Outdoors reminders this time of year

Having recently emerged from their long winter's sleep, Idaho's black bears are now on the move, looking for any and all food sources that might help them regain weight lost during hibernation.

High calorie human foods are a major attractant, particularly if they are easy to obtain. With that in mind, Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials are urging homeowners who live in more rural settings to use common sense and be "bear aware."

Unsecured garbage is the bear attractant of choice this year, with a series of bear incidents in southern Idaho.

Something else to be aware of is ducklings and other animal babies being out and about. Drivers should be alert for critters crossing the road.

May and early June is also the fawning and calving season for Idaho's deer, elk and pronghorn.

With campers and other outdoors enthusiasts heading out to the woods, well-meaning folks often find baby birds and other animals that seem to be abandoned. However, people are urged to leave them alone.

Applications for controlled hunts taken until June 5

The application period for this fall's deer, elk, pronghorn, fall black bear and fall turkey controlled hunts runs through June 5.

Hunters may apply for controlled hunts at any hunting and fishing license vendor, Idaho Department of Fish and Game office; with a credit card by calling (800) 55HUNT5; or online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. An additional fee is charged for telephone and Internet applications. Hunters must have a 2013 Idaho hunting license to apply.

The 2012 harvest drawing odds for controlled hunts are posted at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/licenses/controlledHunts/lookupOdds.cfm, and in the Idaho Hunt Planner http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntPlanner/.

Hunters can use harvest statistics and drawing odds from the past 10 years to search for similar. Some - but not all - licenses and tags can now be printed on a home printer.