The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is starting to collect public input to develop big game hunting season proposals for 2017 and 2018.

Big game seasons are now set for a two year period, so the hunting seasons being developed will be for the next two years.

The first public meeting is scheduled in Sandpoint on Thursday, Dec. 8. The meeting will be held at the Sandpoint Event Center, located at 102 S. Euclid Avenue. The meeting will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

This meeting is intended to gather input from the public and to identify issues to consider while formulating recommendations for deer, elk, bear, wolf and mountain lion seasons.

Information will be presented on recent hunting seasons, but proposed season recommendations for these species will not be presented at this time. Proposals will be prepared using information from this public meeting and will then be presented at meetings to be held early in 2017.

IDFG will, however, present season proposals for trophy species at this meeting. Trophy species include moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat. Similar to big game seasons, trophy species seasons cover a two year period.

For additional information, contact the Idaho Fish and Game office at (208) 769-1414. Individuals with disabilities may request meeting accommodations by contacting the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at (208) 769-1414 or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-368-6185 (TDD).

Those who are unable to make the Dec. 8 meeting will still have an opportunity to comment, however. Starting on Dec. 12, a complete list of statewide season proposals — and the opportunity to comment online — will be available on Fish and Game’s website: https://idfg.idaho.gov/comment. Comments can also be mailed to: 2017-2018 Big Game MSG Species Season Proposals, PO Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. The deadline for comments is Jan. 4.

All comments will be presented to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission prior to setting the seasons at their meeting in Boise on Jan. 26.