P
proutdoors
Guest
We propose to make the following changes on FIVE LE elk units; N Cache, Wasatch, Nebo, Fish Lake, and LaSal:
1)Change the season dates to the following based on 2007 dates;
Archery> September 1-21
Muzzle Loader> September 29-October 5
Rifle> October 6-12
Premium> All three weapon seasons
2)We will manage these FIVE units per the Elk Management Plan objectives for harvest ages, bull/cow ratios, and herd populations. Those that fall in the 3-4 year old harvest age objectives will remain there, same for those that fall in the 4-5 year old harvest age obhectives.
3)Mandatory reporting and survey from ALL successful applicants. This will allow the DWR to better assess the number of bulls harvested and other valued data sought by the DWR
4)Break the larger 'pilot' units into sub-units to better control the harvest numbers for certain areas, for example the Wasatch will be made into three sub-units following the same boundaries as the antlerless boundaries, same for the Nebo and Fish Lake units.
5)Currently tag allotments are doled out as follows: Archery=25%, Rifle=60%, Muzzy=15%. We propose changing it to be : Archery=30%, Rifle=50%, Muzzy=20%. This will lower the over-all success rates down, allowing for addditional tags to be issued while harvesting the same number of bulls.
6)We are also looking at issuing spike tags on 'new' LE units that have bull/cow ratios well over objectives, this will do two things; minimize the added pressure onto current spike units, and allow for the bull/cow ratios on chosen units to be lowered without affecting quality. The units chosen will be selected by the Elk Planning Committee and the DWR.
Summary:
We believe that by changing the season dates, eliminating spike tags(where two spikes are harvested for every one mature bull), continuing to manage to herd objectives, mandatory reporting/survey, and tag allotment adjustments, more tags can/will be issued without adverse affects on herd quality and herd quanity, both in bull numbers/health and in over-all herd numbers/health.
PRO
1)Change the season dates to the following based on 2007 dates;
Archery> September 1-21
Muzzle Loader> September 29-October 5
Rifle> October 6-12
Premium> All three weapon seasons
2)We will manage these FIVE units per the Elk Management Plan objectives for harvest ages, bull/cow ratios, and herd populations. Those that fall in the 3-4 year old harvest age objectives will remain there, same for those that fall in the 4-5 year old harvest age obhectives.
3)Mandatory reporting and survey from ALL successful applicants. This will allow the DWR to better assess the number of bulls harvested and other valued data sought by the DWR
4)Break the larger 'pilot' units into sub-units to better control the harvest numbers for certain areas, for example the Wasatch will be made into three sub-units following the same boundaries as the antlerless boundaries, same for the Nebo and Fish Lake units.
5)Currently tag allotments are doled out as follows: Archery=25%, Rifle=60%, Muzzy=15%. We propose changing it to be : Archery=30%, Rifle=50%, Muzzy=20%. This will lower the over-all success rates down, allowing for addditional tags to be issued while harvesting the same number of bulls.
6)We are also looking at issuing spike tags on 'new' LE units that have bull/cow ratios well over objectives, this will do two things; minimize the added pressure onto current spike units, and allow for the bull/cow ratios on chosen units to be lowered without affecting quality. The units chosen will be selected by the Elk Planning Committee and the DWR.
Summary:
We believe that by changing the season dates, eliminating spike tags(where two spikes are harvested for every one mature bull), continuing to manage to herd objectives, mandatory reporting/survey, and tag allotment adjustments, more tags can/will be issued without adverse affects on herd quality and herd quanity, both in bull numbers/health and in over-all herd numbers/health.
PRO