Both Boise and Garden City prohibit discharge of any firearm within city
limits, with exceptions such as at licensed shooting facilities, police
officers, self defense, etc. Discharging a firearm in an unsafe manner
is illegal anywhere, any time. Here are the Boise and Garden City codes:
https://cityclerk.cityofboise.org/media/223593/0604.pdf
https://www.codepublishing.com/ID/GardenCity/html/GardenCity04/GardenCity0412.html#4-12-12

Cliff

On 3/31/19 7:47 PM, Ken Miracle chukar28@icloud.com [ible] wrote:
>
> Out at Indian Creek unless it is within a designated safety zone, and
> I am not aware of one out there, there are no restrictions on
> shooting. The only other “normal” restrictions I am aware of would be
> if it was on private land and trespass was involved or it was
> designated closed to hunting, which does not always close things to
> shooting. Yup it gets complex in some cases. I am not an attorney or
> enforcement officer etc. but was a hunter and shooter for many years
> and kept up on the laws about where I could and could not hunt and
> shoot. But for the real lowdown you would have to consult the
> enforcement section at IDFG, BLM etc..
>
>
> As to the Boise River Greenbelt that would depend if it was in the
> city limits, and not all cities ban outdoor shooting within the city
> limits.  As Larry pointed out the Boise River Greenbelt is under
> multiple jurisdictions. Along parts of the green belt in Ada County
> Idaho Fish and Game rules do not allow hunting but other parts have
> not restrictions. One area closed to hunting upstream from the Boise
> city limits is:
>
> *
>
> That portion of Ada County within Veterans Memorial Park and the
> area between State Highway 21, Warm Springs Avenue, and the Boise
> City limits.
>
> Here is the first place I would look to see if and area is open to
> upland, and birds and game animals.
> https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/seasons-rules-upland-hunting-rules-2018-2019.pdf
>
> Also some areas not other wise covered are declared closed to hunting
> but are supposed to be signed and usually are. I know many people who
> think there is no hunting on State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA)
> which is seldom the case with the exception of seasonal or safety zone
> exclusions. The WMA’s are funded almost entirely by hunting and
> fishing licenses and permit revenues. The is a lot of other public
> land and conservation projects that are funded by hunting and fishing
> equipment sales taxes and by hunting and fishing license fees.  One of
> the reasons that even though I no longer hunt with a firearm only with
> a camera I will continue to buy an Idaho Hunting License, Sage Grouse
> Permit, Duck Stamp etc..
>
> *
>
> On any of those portions of federal refuges, State game preserves,
> State Wildlife Management Areas, bird preserves, bird refuges, and
> bird sanctuaries for which hunting closures have been declared by
> legislative or Commission action.
>
>
>> On Mar 31, 2019, at 5:51 PM, LARRY ARNOLD larnold47@cableone.net
>> [ible] > > wrote:
>>
>>
>> Chris, great question!!
>>
>> Maybe this is my chance to chime in (finally)…..
>>
>> Every year since we’ve been here (6 yrs) there have been hunters
>> blasting away along the Boise River Greenbelt, and this year I was
>> lucky enough to have shotgun shot landing all around me LITERALLY
>> like hailstones. Nobody seems to know who’s jurisdiction this is
>> (Boise?  Garden City?  Eagle? Ada County?), so is to enforce any
>> “laws” (if there are any) until people, kids, dogs, geezers like me,
>> are actually wounded by these careless idiots.
>>
>> Sigh…..  what gives?  who ya gonna call?  I’ve tried them all
>> (several times).
>>
>> LA
>>
>>
>>
>> ————————————————————————
>> *From:*”Chris Slymonboise753am@gmail.com
>> [ible]” > >
>> *To:*”IBLE” >
>> *Sent:*Sunday, March 31, 2019 2:07:52 PM
>> *Subject:*Re: [IBLE] Indian Creek Reservoir
>>
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I was at Indian Creek yesterday too and there was someone shooting
>> about 2-300 yds to the right of the bathroom. Is that allowed?
>>
>> Chris
>>
>> On 3/31/2019 11:08 AM, John Shortisjohn_shortis@yahoo.com[ible] wrote:
>>
>> Hi fellow birders,
>>
>> Amy and I spent about 1.5 hours at Indian Creek Reservoir
>> yesterday. The usual mix of duck species though we found no
>> Pintails or any Teal species. No Swans or Pelicans. But we
>> stumbled upon a single Long-eared Owl, whichwas moving around the
>> little canyon, v close to us at first before it quickly moved
>> away. Chestnut wing patches on fairly broad, not too long wings
>> visible. The bird seemed unsettled by our presence, before it
>> finally flew away, hope it is still around; we tried to be careful.
>> Also found an American Pipit on the shoreline with two Killdeers
>> just below the dyke.
>>
>> Amy Bechtel & John Shortis
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> Ken Miracle
> chukar28@icloud.com
> 208-908-9493
> “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming
> from us, but our sufficiency is from God” 2COR 3:5
>
>

—
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@octobersetters.com

By the way, Larry, if shotgun shot is raining down like hailstones then you are quite likely to not be in any danger of injury. It was quite likely fired into the air at waterfowl and then falling back to earth. Shotguns are very short range weapons. I have had some so called “hunters” hit me with shot that was not falling from the air and they did not pay attention to what was behind their target. Luckily I was far enough away that it was a sting and red patch incident not a penetration event. However if it is lead shot from an upland hunter then raining down like hail stones then the critters that may accidentally ingest that lead are a different story.

> On Mar 31, 2019, at 5:51 PM, LARRY ARNOLD larnold47@cableone.net [ible] wrote:
>
>
> Chris, great question!!
>
> Maybe this is my chance to chime in (finally)…..
>
> Every year since we’ve been here (6 yrs) there have been hunters blasting away along the Boise River Greenbelt, and this year I was lucky enough to have shotgun shot landing all around me LITERALLY like hailstones. Nobody seems to know who’s jurisdiction this is (Boise? Garden City? Eagle? Ada County?), so is to enforce any “laws” (if there are any) until people, kids, dogs, geezers like me, are actually wounded by these careless idiots.
>
> Sigh….. what gives? who ya gonna call? I’ve tried them all (several times).
>
> LA
>
>
>
> From: “Chris Slymon boise753am@gmail.com [ible]” >
> To: “IBLE” >
> Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2019 2:07:52 PM
> Subject: Re: [IBLE] Indian Creek Reservoir
>
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I was at Indian Creek yesterday too and there was someone shooting about 2-300 yds to the right of the bathroom. Is that allowed?
>
> Chris
>
> On 3/31/2019 11:08 AM, John Shortis john_shortis@yahoo.com [ible] wrote:
>
> Hi fellow birders,
>
> Amy and I spent about 1.5 hours at Indian Creek Reservoir yesterday. The usual mix of duck species though we found no Pintails or any Teal species. No Swans or Pelicans. But we stumbled upon a single Long-eared Owl, which was moving around the little canyon, v close to us at first before it quickly moved away. Chestnut wing patches on fairly broad, not too long wings visible. The bird seemed unsettled by our presence, before it finally flew away, hope it is still around; we tried to be careful.
> Also found an American Pipit on the shoreline with two Killdeers just below the dyke.
>
> Amy Bechtel & John Shortis
>
>
>
>

Ken Miracle
chukar28@icloud.com
208-908-9493
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” 2COR 3:5

Out at Indian Creek unless it is within a designated safety zone, and I am not aware of one out there, there are no restrictions on shooting. The only other “normal” restrictions I am aware of would be if it was on private land and trespass was involved or it was designated closed to hunting, which does not always close things to shooting. Yup it gets complex in some cases. I am not an attorney or enforcement officer etc. but was a hunter and shooter for many years and kept up on the laws about where I could and could not hunt and shoot. But for the real lowdown you would have to consult the enforcement section at IDFG, BLM etc..

As to the Boise River Greenbelt that would depend if it was in the city limits, and not all cities ban outdoor shooting within the city limits. As Larry pointed out the Boise River Greenbelt is under multiple jurisdictions. Along parts of the green belt in Ada County Idaho Fish and Game rules do not allow hunting but other parts have not restrictions. One area closed to hunting upstream from the Boise city limits is:
That portion of Ada County within Veterans Memorial Park and the area between State Highway 21, Warm Springs Avenue, and the Boise City limits.

Here is the first place I would look to see if and area is open to upland, and birds and game animals.
https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/seasons-rules-upland-hunting-rules-2018-2019.pdf

Also some areas not other wise covered are declared closed to hunting but are supposed to be signed and usually are. I know many people who think there is no hunting on State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) which is seldom the case with the exception of seasonal or safety zone exclusions. The WMA’s are funded almost entirely by hunting and fishing licenses and permit revenues. The is a lot of other public land and conservation projects that are funded by hunting and fishing equipment sales taxes and by hunting and fishing license fees. One of the reasons that even though I no longer hunt with a firearm only with a camera I will continue to buy an Idaho Hunting License, Sage Grouse Permit, Duck Stamp etc..
On any of those portions of federal refuges, State game preserves, State Wildlife Management Areas, bird preserves, bird refuges, and bird sanctuaries for which hunting closures have been declared by legislative or Commission action.

> On Mar 31, 2019, at 5:51 PM, LARRY ARNOLD larnold47@cableone.net [ible] wrote:
>
>
> Chris, great question!!
>
> Maybe this is my chance to chime in (finally)…..
>
> Every year since we’ve been here (6 yrs) there have been hunters blasting away along the Boise River Greenbelt, and this year I was lucky enough to have shotgun shot landing all around me LITERALLY like hailstones. Nobody seems to know who’s jurisdiction this is (Boise? Garden City? Eagle? Ada County?), so is to enforce any “laws” (if there are any) until people, kids, dogs, geezers like me, are actually wounded by these careless idiots.
>
> Sigh….. what gives? who ya gonna call? I’ve tried them all (several times).
>
> LA
>
>
>
> From: “Chris Slymon boise753am@gmail.com [ible]” >
> To: “IBLE” >
> Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2019 2:07:52 PM
> Subject: Re: [IBLE] Indian Creek Reservoir
>
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I was at Indian Creek yesterday too and there was someone shooting about 2-300 yds to the right of the bathroom. Is that allowed?
>
> Chris
>
> On 3/31/2019 11:08 AM, John Shortis john_shortis@yahoo.com [ible] wrote:
>
> Hi fellow birders,
>
> Amy and I spent about 1.5 hours at Indian Creek Reservoir yesterday. The usual mix of duck species though we found no Pintails or any Teal species. No Swans or Pelicans. But we stumbled upon a single Long-eared Owl, which was moving around the little canyon, v close to us at first before it quickly moved away. Chestnut wing patches on fairly broad, not too long wings visible. The bird seemed unsettled by our presence, before it finally flew away, hope it is still around; we tried to be careful.
> Also found an American Pipit on the shoreline with two Killdeers just below the dyke.
>
> Amy Bechtel & John Shortis
>
>
>
>

Ken Miracle
chukar28@icloud.com
208-908-9493
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” 2COR 3:5

Chris, great question!!

Maybe this is my chance to chime in (finally)…..

Every year since we’ve been here (6 yrs) there have been hunters blasting away along the Boise River Greenbelt, and this year I was lucky enough to have shotgun shot landing all around me LITERALLY like hailstones. Nobody seems to know who’s jurisdiction this is (Boise? Garden City? Eagle? Ada County?), so is to enforce any “laws” (if there are any) until people, kids, dogs, geezers like me, are actually wounded by these careless idiots.

Sigh….. what gives? who ya gonna call? I’ve tried them all (several times).

LA

From: “Chris Slymon boise753am@gmail.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2019 2:07:52 PM
Subject: Re: [IBLE] Indian Creek Reservoir

Hi,

I was at Indian Creek yesterday too and there was someone shooting about 2-300 yds to the right of the bathroom. Is that allowed?

Chris
On 3/31/2019 11:08 AM, John Shortis [ mailto:john_shortis@yahoo.com | john_shortis@yahoo.com ] [ible] wrote:

Hi fellow birders,

Amy and I spent about 1.5 hours at Indian Creek Reservoir yesterday. The usual mix of duck species though we found no Pintails or any Teal species. No Swans or Pelicans. But we stumbled upon a single Long-eared Owl, which was moving around the little canyon, v close to us at first before it quickly moved away. Chestnut wing patches on fairly broad, not too long wings visible. The bird seemed unsettled by our presence, before it finally flew away, hope it is still around; we tried to be careful.
Also found an American Pipit on the shoreline with two Killdeers just below the dyke.

Amy Bechtel & John Shortis

Greetings, IBLE: Today in Valley Count 3/31: 2 Tundra swans, on frozen pond (S. side of road) about 2 miles E. on Warm Lake Rd, from Highway 55.
Also fun Snow geese sighting, from Big creek summit while snowshoeing, 2 large multilayered V formations, about 600+ geese heading NE, elevation 9000+.. We saw 3 waves of high flying snow geese today from this Big creek summit area.
Happy trails, Rich

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: ‘Tom McCabe’ tmccabe9@cableone.net [ible]
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2019 8:54 PM
To: ‘IBLE’
Subject: [IBLE] Sandhill Cranes

 
While out in the yard completing my “honey-do’s” I suddenly heard Sandhill Cranes. But looking up, I couldn’t see any birds. I grabbed binos, but still no luck. Finally, while up on a step ladder, I saw a flock of 40-50 Sandhills pass in front of a puffy white cloud. Only then could I see them. They were way up, so they took a long time to traverse the open sky above my yard. After they got beyond the cloud, without binos they were just dark dots against a blue sky. When the surrounding trees cut off my view, I could still hear them. Way cool.
Tom McCabe, Boise

Hi,

I was at Indian Creek yesterday too and there was someone shooting about 2-300 yds to
the right of the bathroom. Is that allowed?

Chris

On 3/31/2019 11:08 AM, John Shortis john_shortis@yahoo.com [ible] wrote:
> Hi fellow birders,
>
> Amy and I spent about 1.5 hours at Indian Creek Reservoir yesterday. The usual mix
> of duck species though we found no Pintails or any Teal species. No Swans or
> Pelicans. But we stumbled upon a single Long-eared Owl, which was moving around the
> little canyon, v close to us at first before it quickly moved away. Chestnut wing
> patches on fairly broad, not too long wings visible. The bird seemed unsettled by
> our presence, before it finally flew away, hope it is still around; we tried to be
> careful.
> Also found an American Pipit on the shoreline with two Killdeers just below the dyke.
>
> Amy Bechtel & John Shortis
>

Hi fellow birders, 
Amy and I spent about 1.5 hours at Indian Creek Reservoir yesterday. The usual mix of duck species though we found no Pintails or any Teal species. No Swans or Pelicans. But we stumbled upon a single Long-eared Owl, which was moving around the little canyon, v close to us at first before it quickly moved away. Chestnut wing patches on fairly broad, not too long wings visible. The bird seemed unsettled by our presence, before it finally flew away, hope it is still around; we tried to be careful.Also found an American Pipit on the shoreline with two Killdeers just below the dyke.
Amy Bechtel & John Shortis

While out in the yard completing my “honey-do’s” I suddenly heard Sandhill
Cranes. But looking up, I couldn’t see any birds. I grabbed binos, but still
no luck. Finally, while up on a step ladder, I saw a flock of 40-50
Sandhills pass in front of a puffy white cloud. Only then could I see them.
They were way up, so they took a long time to traverse the open sky above my
yard. After they got beyond the cloud, without binos they were just dark
dots against a blue sky. When the surrounding trees cut off my view, I could
still hear them. Way cool.

Tom McCabe, Boise

This AM the Blue Jay was loudly & repeatedly screeching & the feeder had no bird visitors. A quick scan revealed a first yr Sharp-shinned Hawk perched in a cottonwood near the feeders. The hawk had no chance for stealth with the jay nearby.

I’ve been finding piles of Eurasian Collared Dove feathers about every 5 days at various places in the yard. So, I knew a sharpie had to be around. With the jay’s warning screeches, the hawk must have known the gig was up. So, the Sharp-shinned directed its attention toward the Blue Jay, flying straight toward it.

This is when Juncos, House Finches or the Collared Doves go into full panic mode & flee for their lives, and…often get nailed mid-air. But the Blue Jay just deftly out maneuvered the hawk, hopping a branch or two away, & suddenly dived at the hawk! The Sharp-shinned took off with the Blue Jay right on it’s tail feathers.

Now, the Blue Jay has returned hitting sunflower seeds as if nothing’s happened. Definitely, knows how to survive!

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Our road here is Packsaddle is finally seeing the light of day this week after months of snow and ice cover, but we still have a few feet of snow in the area.
Yesterday our yard robin was in attendance-looking at the old nest sites and singing his evening song.

And today, I spied my FOY Red-naped Sapsucker foraging along with Evening and Pine Grobeaks in the budding aspen trees.

Why are these FOY’s always such a joy and wonder?

Happy Spring, Susan Packsaddle Estates, Teton Valley