Idaho proposed special season open sight centerfire

[Rotnguns]

This is a proposal to be voted on by Idaho Fish and Game in JANUARY 2026. I found very few details, but it seems to follow the plan implemented recently in Utah. Any Utah hunters have any experience with this interesting plan? I find it intriguing because I compete in lever-action silhouette and I would simply use the rifles I'm familiar with.

Edit to correct original error regarding meeting date.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Can’t spot impacts with open sights. Now we have an excuse to shoot 30 cal again
#makeriflehuntinggreatagain

 

[flyfisher117]

Utahs open sight changes has pushed a couple of my older family members off the mountain and out of their life long units. Their eyesight isn’t what it used to be and they weren’t able to qualify for any help/exemption.

The guys pushing for it here in Idaho are the same guys who pushed for it in Utah. They’ve all had their fun using new “technology” now they want to limit it for everyone.

 

[RockAndSage]

They only way I'd be okay with it, is if it was tacked on as another primitive weapon tag - a short season right after muzzleloader. But not in lieu of modern rifle entirely in a unit. That idea can go to hell.

Let people decide what they're capable of and interested in, but do not set the precedent that hunting should be limited to primitive weapons entirely - that's a dangerous, slippery slope, which does nothing but remove freedoms and opportunity.

 

[WRO]

Just make the season a draw or Capp them, these stupid ideas just lead to crowding in other units.


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[Matt5266]

O God, I can only imagine all the wounded deer running around from guys flinging bullets at them at a range they shouldn't be, and not being able to see where they hit either.

 

[MuleyFever]

O God, I can only imagine all the wounded deer running around from guys flinging bullets at them at a range they shouldn't be, and not being able to see where they hit either.

Sounds a lot like any season now.

 

[43.6N]

I for one would be in favor of an open sight season. I’ve been trying to read as many posts as possible detailing people’s experience during their Utah hunts. Hopefully the units they are considering the seasons for will have high animal density or be November/December hunts

 

[43.6N]

I should add, that without more information on how Idaho will implement it, I do have some reservations.

Example:
-Changing general any weapon season, to open sight only: no, I would not support.
-Adding a new open sight only season, and keeping current any weapon seasons: yes, I would support.

 

[WRO]

I should add, that without more information on how Idaho will implement it, I do have some reservations.

Example:
-Changing general any weapon season, to open sight only: no, I would not support.
-Adding a new open sight only season, and keeping current any weapon seasons: yes, I would support.

The reasoning is to reduce harvest, what it’ll lead to is crowding in other units. Idaho should go to capped zones for mule deer and draw for those that can’t handle the pressure.

That being said, we went there otc at all costs will have us eventually hunting with slingshots on a 2 day season.

 

[43.6N]

That being said, we went there otc at all costs

Probably a typo, but I’m not understanding what you’re saying, can you rephrase?

 

[IDElkmagnet]

Idahos mule deer are hurting. They want to experiment with ways to allow opertunity but limit harvest. Let's see how it works.

 

[nevadabugle]

In my opinion these are great ideas, and have been shown to work in other places. In Oregon, in their premier trophy mule deer unit, the only hunt besides a very limited rifle hunt is a Traditional Archery only hunt.

This hunt allows more people to expierince the unit, see great bucks, but have a very low harvest on those deer. What's not to like?

If you want to burn 20 points, apply for the rifle hunt. If you want to expierience the hunt every year as a resident, pick up a traditional bow and accept that you will have low success, while enjoying the opportunity to chase desert mule deer.

 

[BasicUtahrd95]

I hunted Utah’s open sight rifle season this year. Had to practice quite a bit to get comfortable on a 10 inch gong out to 200 yards. Ended up spooking a nice tall 4 point that almost certainly would have died if I had a scope on my rifle. Frustrating for sure, but I am much more attached to my unit than my weapon. I am interested to see how much success rates changed after switching to open sight rifles. As long as the demand for tags stays high, I think we will see seasons like this become much more common.

 

[Nevwild]

I would buy a 6um just for that hunt. Open sight laser beam baby.

 

[Matt5266]

Sounds a lot like any season now.

Haha Touché sir

 

[IDElkmagnet]

I would buy a 6um just for that hunt. Open sight laser beam baby.

My initial thoughts were how can I put a peep and globe on a 6.5-300 wetherby.
Idaho had a primitive muzzleloader season requiring an external pivoting hammer and round ball. It was awesome it felt primitive because it wasn't crowded. Only lasted a couple years if I recall correctly.

 

[Deadfall]

Sounds a lot like any season now.

1000 percent right there

 

[nevadabugle]

O God, I can only imagine all the wounded deer running around from guys flinging bullets at them at a range they shouldn't be, and not being able to see where they hit either.

You can't tell me that this exact thing isn't happening right now with all the long range fads in hunting. Guys buying a fancy scope, sighting it in at 200 yards, then "dialing it in" like they saw on some youtube video for a 600 yard shot at a buck? Maybe they get lucky and miss, maybe they get even luckier and hit it, maybe they gut shoot it and never even realize because of the distance.

Modern technology is really impacting our sport. You won't convince me otherwise. I see the same thing with compounds and it being common place for guys to shoot 100 yards because they watched some Cam Hanes video. Its getting out of control.

I am all in for restricted weapons hunts. Trad bows, sidelock muzzloaders and straightwalled rifle cartridges. Let's give the animals a chance and limit our success in the meantime.

If our egos cant handle eating tag soup or "only" killing a young buck, we are hunting for the wrong reasons.

 

[RockAndSage]

Modern technology is really impacting our sport. You won't convince me otherwise. I see the same thing with compounds and it being common place for guys to shoot 100 yards because they watched some Cam Hanes video. Its getting out of control.

^^^ I can completely agree with this, and support calling those guys out as the a-holes they're choosing to be with those unethical decisions...

I am all in for restricted weapons hunts. Trad bows, sidelock muzzloaders and straightwalled rifle cartridges. Let's give the animals a chance and limit our success in the meantime.

While vehemently disagreeing with this ^^^ - with every fiber of my being.


Those seasons/tags/limitations should be voluntary options - not forced limitations because some guys are too unethical, or too good with modern gear.