The Courier
NEWS Deer Hunting Continues Thru November and December
By Roger Phillips, Public Information Supervisor
For many Idaho hunters “deer season” is seen as two or three weeks in October during the general, any-weapon season, particularly if they’re targeting mule deer in central or south Idaho. But there are many other opportunities available for those who haven’t notched a tag and want to keep deer hunting. Pull out your dog-eared and tattered copy of the 2020 Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules, or see it online, and check out the seasons you’ve skimmed or overlooked in the past because you still have plenty of places to continue deer hunting. In fact, there are so many opportunities it would be difficult to list them all, but here are some hunts worthy of your attention: Whitetail Hunts: But wait, you might say, don’t I need a white-tailed deer tag for those? In some units for November hunts, yes. But in others, your regular deer tag is still valid, particularly hunts in the far-north Panhandle units. If you have a whitetail tag, there’s also a long list of hunts available in November and December. Archery Hunts: Look down the list of units offering general archery deer seasons and you will see archery hunts around the state that stretch into November and December. If you’re primarily a rifle hunter, make sure you get an archery permit, and you’re ready to go. Muzzleloader/short-range Weapons Hunts: These two are two different types of hunts, so make sure you know the rules for each. In short, you’re limited to muzzleloaders in those hunts, but you can also use muzzleloaders in short-range weapon hunts, along with archery, shotguns, handguns, crossbows and air rifles. Additional rules and requirements apply to each weapon type, so see page 100 of the Big Game Seasons and Rules for details.
Friday Deadline Set For Strong Families, Strong Students Applications
Due to the overwhelming response from Idaho families applying for Governor Brad Little’s Strong Families, Strong Students program, the Office of the State Board of Education today set a deadline for applications to be submitted. The deadline is: 5 p.m. (MST) on Friday, November 6, 2020, after which the State Board will be suspending new application submissions until initial awards are made.
Strong Families, Strong Students website www.strongfamilies.idaho.gov
To date, 31,140 applications have been submitted for 78,987 students.
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News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
November 4, 2020
Vol 44 Num 45
Health Insurance Open Enrollment
The annual Open Enrollment period for health insurance in Idaho is now open. Beginning November 1st, Idahoans can shop, compare, and enroll in a plan through the state health insurance exchange, Your Health Idaho. Idahoans who want health insurance for the upcoming year must pick their plan by December 15th. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened health concerns across the country. It has also had a significant impact on the daily lives of Idahoans, some of whom have found themselves without employer-sponsored benefits for the first time. “We expect to see many newly eligible Idahoans seeking coverage through Your Health Idaho in 2021, whether it’s due to a loss of health insurance or a change in household income,” said Kelly. “That is why we are encouraging everyone to complete an application. It never hurts to look, and you may be surprised to find how affordable health insurance coverage can be.” Your Health Idaho is the only place where eligible Idahoans can receive a health insurance tax credit which acts like an instant discount, reducing the cost of monthly premiums. Tax credit eligibility is based on household size and income. For example, an individual making up to $51,040 a year, or a family of four earning up to $104,800 a year, could qualify for a tax credit. In 2020, more than 80 percent of Your Health Idaho customers received a tax credit, and one in three paid nothing for their coverage each month. This year, Idahoans will have a record number of health insurance plans to choose from, including plans from a new carrier to the exchange. Regence, which currently sells small group and individual plans off-exchange in Idaho, will offer medical coverage through Your Health Idaho for the first time. With the addition of Regence, Your Health Idaho now offers Idahoans access to health insurance plans from seven different carriers. For Idahoans who are unsure about how to enroll or determine if they qualify for a tax credit, Your Health Idaho recommends working with an insurance agent or broker. These experts are certified by Your Health Idaho and their services are available for free. A list of certified agents and brokers is available online at YourHealthIdaho.org/find-help.