UT DH program

3

3point2

Member
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OK I know the dedicated hunter program has its fans and enemies on here, but for those of us that are fans of the program that provides over 2 million dollars of assistance to habitat in UT, HEADS UP. There is a very real chance that with the changes to the deer units and the subsequent regulations that he DH program will be going away in 2012! YES 2012! So if you just re-uped you will be out after this next season.
There is a state-wide committee that is meeting to decide how to deal with the reg. changes and DH's.
I know there are a lot of people out there that just don't have the time to participate in the DH program but still care about the work that is being done. So whether you are a DH or just someone that believes in the program, please contact you regional coordinator for the DWR and tell them that you support the program. I know I am going to do so. If you don't, then you have no right to ##### later!

http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/about-us/contact-us.html

3p2
 
I just signed up again and they guaranteed that I would have a tag for the next three years. They did say that I was not guaranteed to have a tag in the unit that I want from 2012 on and that I had to accept whatever changes are made to the program. At least this is my understanding.
 
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I dont think the state is going to give anything back. Well from what I have read here.
 
13,000 premits less for 2012 why shouldnt the DH program be cut somewhat too??????
 
Wow. It would really be a shame if it did go away. This is the first I have heard about it. Have you talked to someone from the DWR that said the program might be going away in 2012?
Sounds like I need to be calling my regional coodinator and showing up to the RAC and wildlife board meeting when the issue is discussed. Thanks 3p2 for the heads up!!
 
I just finished up my hours for my remaining two years in the program. While doing my hours the officer mentioned that the program is way down in numbers this year. They have a cap of 10,000 DH's and are shy 4,000 this year. which equates to 160,000 man hours or 3.2 million $$ short ($20.00/per hr).I cant beleive it would ever go away......there is way too much being donated to the state and wildlife. I hope it stays!
 
I don't see how it could go away. All that free labor from people that actually paid them for the opportunity to do it? I don't think they could live without it at this point.

oakbrush
 
>They have a cap of
>10,000 DH's and are shy
>4,000 this year.

Man, I hope you're right! Maybe the powers that be at the DWR will pull their heads out of their azzes and see what they've done to what was once a good program. Last year was my last of three and there was no way I was going to re-up not knowing what to expect for 2012-2013 and beyond. More power to those who were willing to roll the dice though, hope it works out.
 
Yes I have talked to my regional director and he said that there is a very real chance of the program going away in 2012. I hope this is not true, but I also don't see the division giving a refund and this is of concern to me.
Although I think there have been some questionable hours granted in the past, I think (at least in the S. Region) they have tightened up and they know they are being watched more closely. Yes this means people don't want to "jump through the hoops", and do hard work, but I think this is bringing the program back to what it was intended to be.
I am guessing that the decline in applications is due to the increase in hours required, increase in work requirement, and the down-turn in the economy, but I am not sure.
I am hoping that the division can figure out a way to keep the program but make the DH draw a unit for each hunt. Couple options they might have:
Make the DH select a unit for each hunt(weapon) and give them a 1,2,3,4 choice. If they don't draw any of those maybe the DH get a left over tag (if there is such a thing after 2012). Other option is to do as described above but take a % of the tags off the top for DH and apply the 1,2,3,4 choice to it.
I know this is probably too simple minded, and someone on here will find joy in pointing that out, but I see one of the productive parts of this forum as a discussion board to brainstorm ideas to forward on to the DWR (for better or worse!).
So I challenge you all to come up with your solution to the DH Program 2012 and beyond. (PS. this is in the context of keeping the program)>

3p2
 
It wsn't the DWR that made the decision--
I know they will do their best to try and keep the program intact as much as possible. There are alot of options they need to consider to be able to make it work. I for one will work hard to get the 40 hour requirement back down to 24 hours. Asking someone to give a whole weeks work with the economy the way it is, is a problem. Ever since the 40 hour requirement was implemented the number of applications and participants has declined. It is just to difficult to find 40-120 hours by your second year, to get your tag.
 
nebo, the program requires 40 hours total for your three year enrollment not 40 hours per year. I dont think two days per year is to much to ask for.
 
>nebo, the program requires 40 hours
>total for your three year
>enrollment not 40 hours per
>year. I dont think two
>days per year is to
>much to ask for.

I completely agree, Its called the DEDICATED hunter program for a reason.
 
I was suprised that they let people in the program this year. What I thought they would do is make it a one year program in 2012. If you joined in 2010 then this would be the last year for anyone still in the program. Give these guys there choice of area's then make it a one year program going forward. Before you can join the program you have to draw a tag first. Make a 8-16 hour yearly service hour requirement then you can hunt all three seasons for that one year. If you harvest a deer then you are back to square one then next year. If you don't get a deer then turn your tag back in and you get a preferance point toward the next years draw.

Mark
 
Mark that is not a bad idea. You should let your regional coordinator know your thoughts.
I have to agree with the post above. I do not think 40 hrs in 3 years is too much. I think that the tags that you receive/opportunity that no one else gets is worth it. It is a pain in the butt to get the hrs done with a busy schedule but it is still worth it if you are Dedicated to hunting.

3p2
 
I happen to be a big fan of the DH program and have participated for some time now. Despite the uncertainty and increased hours, I re-upped this year as I love the opportunity to hunt the 3 seasons and actually enjoy the hours I get to give back to wildlife and the sport I love.

I hope the program does not get abolished completely. I think given the uncertainty of things I'll simply put in for a LE Deer bonus point this year, hunt with my DH tag and get serious about drawing something next year (ample pts) if things change. Hopefully we get to continue to provide service to the Division and reap the rewards of such.

I'll get a word into my RAC/Region Coord.
 
I am a fan of the program and hope that they keep it. In a world where the DWR is cutting tags the DH program provides much needed assistance to wildlife and guarantees that 10,000 (if at full strength) tags are taken from the system in a three year period. Come on DWR figure out how to keep it.
 
hopefully the dh program will go down so those tags will quit hamstringin management practices. Its tuff to setup a certain amount of tags for archery/muzzleloader/rifle for certain units when youve got a lump of dh tags for all 3.
 
Brutus,
What you said makes no sense. DHers have had to choose their hunt region when signing up, so the DWR knows exactly how many tags are are "taken" by the DH program in a particular region. Furthermore, saying that the DH program "hamstrings" management practices shows your lack of knowledge about the program. While I am a fan of the DH program, I realize that with the recent changes to Utah's Deer hunt, there needs to be changes with the DH program as well. I hope that this will happen so a great program can be made even better. It would be a shame to see it go, but it cant exist as is.
------------------------------------------------------
"So... Now you got a little taste of what I do...pretty dang exciting, eh?"
 
Ichabod,
In 2012 there will be smaller units and DH tags could fill the tag quota for an entire unit if given the same "pick your unit" option. I was in the DH program for 2 terms and after working in several different DNR sponsered projects it was plain to see that "work hours" was a very loose term. Not many people came to work or were physicaly capeable of the work that was to be done and they got as many hours as the guy next to them that busted their @ss. I wont even get into the type of projects benefitting big game???

Smaller units makes it a whole different ball game, when you start thinking about lifetime liscense tags (wich i'm sure the DWR wishes they could take that one back) then add in DH tags, some of those units will be very slim pickings for draw odds.

I might have a different opinion about the DH program if I really thought that the "work hours" were legit. Come on when over half the DHers in cedar city get their hours by selling tickets to RMEF, MDF, SFW, or WTF banquets. Thats total BS and a bigger waste of time than stabbing willows stakes into the banks of a creek. Sorry I said I wouldnt get into it.
 
I think the DH program need a lot of work done to it and the permits cut to about 5000 for a few years, to many hunters just wants a tag. Lets bring the deer back first. I have been a DH hunter every since it started and only used 3 tags. So lets think about the deer first.
 
Seems like an easy fix join the program, pay the money, do the 40 hours and be put in the same pool with all the non DH'ers to draw equally. When you draw you get to hunt all three hunts if you put your time and money in. 2 kills in three draws. WTH am I missing here? Looks like a wrench will work. A hammer is not needed.

Its too bad if this program is scrapped I hate to see it go and Im sure the DWR will too. Twice as much for a tag and forty hours of free labor.
 
>Seems like an easy fix join
>the program, pay the money,
>do the 40 hours and
>be put in the same
>pool with all the non
>DH'ers to draw equally. When
>you draw you get to
>hunt all three hunts if
>you put your time and
>money in. 2 kills in
>three draws. WTH am I
>missing here? Looks like a
>wrench will work. A hammer
>is not needed.
>
>Its too bad if this program
>is scrapped I hate to
>see it go and Im
>sure the DWR will too.
>Twice as much for a
>tag and forty hours of
>free labor.

My point exactly Lowcountry...
And if the DWR needs to limit DH numbers by unit, so be it. Maybe make it a one or two year program. Lots of scenarios...Its far too valuable of a program to scrap.


------------------------------------------------------
"So... Now you got a little taste of what I do...pretty dang exciting, eh?"
 
I got out after two cycles, didn't like the hour increase and most of the projects were not really helping wildlife...I also found that I spent 90% of my time on the bow hunt and almost all the rest on the muzzy hunt. I just could't hack all the hunters on the general season rifle hunt.

I would get back in if some good changes are made. Better projects, etc. I also will wait until this whole 2012 change shakes out to see how it all turns out.
 
Even if the hours you put in while participating in the DH program don't go directly to wildlife they free up time and money for division resources to go to wildlife that would otherwise be spent working on the project you worked on.

If you don't have the time to work on the number of hours they require to participate in the program I can't help but wonder how you find the time to use the tag they give you for participating.
 
Ya selling those raffle tickets really free's up alot of man power. In fact the only good thing that came about from DH was it forced the DNR to go ahead with projects that they never would have done. Think about it how many lop and scatter's did you see before DH came about. I think not even half the DH hours go into projects that would have tied up DNR employees.

Maybe it would be nice for the DNR to post what projects made up all the DH hours. I'd really like to see that list.
 
I personally hope they do away with the program. It just puts that many more people out in the field for each hunt. I would rather see less people in the field. I have been a dedicated hunter and love to hunt all 3 hunts, but I feel like it puts more people in the field chasing the animals.
As far as the hours go, give people that will put in 16 hours the year before an extra preference point. they would still get their projects completed. Everyone who hunts could be required to put in some hours. That wouldn't hurt anyone.
 
I really doubt that every Dedicated Hunter in the program hunts all three hunts.
 
"I really doubt that every Dedicated Hunter in the program hunts all three hunts."
+1
Thats a Fact most of those in the program I know hunt a little muzzleloader and the rifle. Some I know just hunt the rifle and want their tag every year. A small few I know hunt all three. And those that do hunt all three seasons dont hunt every day of the entire hunt some people do have to work before they can play.
 
I hope they do away with the program or make major changes to it. I did it for nine years, took only 3 deer but that wasn't the problem. I got soooo sick and tired of seeing the exact same guys hunting EVERY season. I'm sure they were sick of seeing me too. After a while there started to be some unsaid grudges against each other as it was a battle to get to the best spots..and we all knew where they were. None of us were taking deer so there we all were on opening morning trying to find a way to get away from each other. At first I loved the program but after seeing the amount of CONSTANT pressure on the deer I stated to rethink how effective the program was and dropped out. Personaly I would rather pick a hunt and see less hunters and give the deer less pressure overall. I think the man hours are fairly effective but their are also unintended consequenses to the program that I feel are not helping the deer herds. Just my .02 worth.
 
"I think the man hours are fairly effective but their are also unintended consequenses to the program that I feel are not helping the deer herds. Just my .02 worth."

Muzzle, what are the unintended consequenses to the program?
 
I think what he mentioned in his post about those DH guys hunting were the unintended consequences!
 
Top,I can understand the unintended consequences of where the DH's were choosing to hunt, but that isn't necessarily a fault of the program. The program gives a DH the opportunity to hunt all three season's, but the program doesn't tell them what specific drainage they have to hunt. Because three people chose to hunt the same drainage and none of the three were willing to move to a different area was their own choice.
 
I really don't know anything about the program, other than reading about it on this thread, and wasn't really commenting on whether it's good or not based on his post. After reading about it on this thread though, it sure sounds like a great program with a very nice reward for someone who is passionate about hunting and helping the animals and ecosystem. It also seems like minimal hours if it's spread out over 3 years and I don't know why anyone would think they should be reduced, based on what you get for joining the program. It's too bad about some people not pulling their weight like one person mentioned and it would seem like there should be enough oversight to eliminate those that don't put out what they should to make the program work efficiently.
 
Top, it really is a good program. I have been on projects where I didn't know a person, but by the end of the day I walked away having made several new friends. We worked together and did something that we all had an interest in and that something was for wildlife.
 
Good for you and that's the kind of stuff the friggin antis don't even know or want to know we are doing! Being retired and a nonresident, I would enjoy doing that kind of stuff for a few days every year even if I didn't increase my opportunity at a tag!
 
Top, Would enjoy having you on a project. It doesn't matter if a person is a member of the Dedicated Hunter program or not. We are all in this together.
 
I'm sorry if in my post I made it sound as if the man hours or the concept of the program were weren't worth it. I just question some aspects of the program based on what I personally have experienced. I not saying it's right wrong or indifferent, just that I didn't like what I was seeing in the field as a result of it. I know my situation might not be the norm out there but in conversations with other hunters around the state that have been in it, many have the same view I do. Now that the state is moving to smaller unit, maybe some of the issue I had with it might resolve themselves? In the 20 years of hunting in the same area, I noticed big changes in the deer numbers and behavior after the DH program was introduced..again just my observations..just sayin..so elkun I hope I didn't cause you to soil yourself by my comments. I know it must be a stuggle for ya..Keep smiling though. It will all be okay :)
 

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