The Idaho Department of Fish and Game announced Tuesday it is extending the big game application period to midnight on June 7th (Mountain Time) –- following issues with its current computerized licensing system.
Fish and Game officials say they are working with its license system contractor to solve the problem, so it can get the licensing system back on-line as soon as possible.
“We don’t have an estimated time yet, but we will inform people as soon as it’s live again,” said Michael Pearson, Fish and Game’s Chief of Administration.
In the meantime, Fish and Game says it is trying to ensure customers are treated fairly, and that everyone who wants to do so has an opportunity to apply for controlled hunts. The Department will be updating people on its website and through other means, as more information becomes available.
"We realize we are not currently living up to expectations, but we are doing our best to make it right,” Pearson said.
The deer, elk, antelope and fall black bear controlled hunt deadline is among the busiest days of the year for the licensing system. Last year, there were 166,000 applications for those controlled hunts. Pearson said, traditionally, about twenty percent come on the final day of the application period, which opened on May 1.
It is not yet known whether extending the application deadline will affect the drawing and notification dates, officials said.
