Pheasant season opens Saturday in North Idaho

The regular pheasant season opens Saturday in North Idaho and runs through Dec. 31.

Area 1 (North Idaho) includes Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone counties.

The daily bag limit is three cocks, and the possession limit is six after the first day, except on wildlife management areas where pheasants are stocked, in which case the daily limit is two cocks and four in possession.

All hunters must carry a valid 2013 Idaho hunting license. And hunters 17 and older need a WMA upland game bird permit to hunt on Idaho Department of Fish and Game wildlife management areas where pheasants are stocked. The permit must be signed in ink by the holder. The permit allows hunters to take two pheasants per day and up to six total in possession.

All upland game hunters are required to wear a minimum of 36 square inches of hunter orange during the pheasant season when hunting on wildlife management areas where pheasants are stocked.

The non-native ring-necked pheasant is widely distributed in agricultural areas. Important habitat needs are grassy areas or other dense nesting cover at least 18 inches high, permanent cover that provides protection from winter weather, and abundant water and food, especially grain.