Watch today's Wildlife Board meeting

Amy · Nov 30, 2017

The Utah Wildlife Board will meet this morning at 9 a.m. Today's agenda covers a wide range of topics, including big game hunts and season dates for 2018.

If you can't attend the meeting in person, we're broadcasting it live via YouTube.

Amy Canning
Communications Specialist
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

elkantlers · Nov 30, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Nov-30-17 AT 12:46PM (MST)[p]The Utah Board and Covey are and embarrassment.

Lets not put a cap on the three season elk hunt because it might put a little strain on the "system". What about the elk? Good grief there won't be any breeding stock left. Mark my words, There will be a decrease in LE elk tags because the success rates on spikes is going to skyrocket.

They don't even know what is in the packet, what has been discussed in the RAC's and what is already and action item.

Muley_73 · Nov 30, 2017

Seems like if there isn't a napkin mafia there pushing an agenda the WB just rolls with what the DWR recommends. And let's us remember this is the same DWR that follows models that have been proven to be incorrect.

The DWR stands up and says there will be no added pressure on certain areas that people always just hunt where they have always hunted. This is the same exact arguement they made when they allowed the Fishlake slaughtered. When they allowed anyone buying a spike tag to also purchase a cow tag OTC. There claim was that there would not be added pressure and the current numbers would be able to be sustained with no problem. What happened? One year and they shot the unit down so bad that all elk hunts had to be cancelled in following years on the Fishlake.

The DWR never errors on the side of caution. Mark my words, CO will cut deer tags next season again and UT will increase. It's pathetic at best.

DBG3285 · Nov 30, 2017

>Seems like if there isn't a
>napkin mafia there pushing an
>agenda the WB just rolls
>with what the DWR recommends.
> And let's us remember
>this is the same DWR
>that follows models that have
>been proven to be incorrect.
>
>
>The DWR stands up and says
>there will be no added
>pressure on certain areas that
>people always just hunt where
>they have always hunted.
>This is the same exact
>arguement they made when they
>allowed the Fishlake slaughtered.
>When they allowed anyone buying
>a spike tag to also
>purchase a cow tag OTC.
> There claim was that
>there would not be added
>pressure and the current numbers
>would be able to be
>sustained with no problem.
>What happened? One year
>and they shot the unit
>down so bad that all
>elk hunts had to be
>cancelled in following years on
>the Fishlake.
>
>The DWR never errors on the
>side of caution. Mark
>my words, CO will cut
>deer tags next season again
>and UT will increase.
>It's pathetic at best.

It's too bad the group in Utah with the political pull, and the "knowledge of management and sustainability" was not there to correct actions and voice opinions.

I wonder where they were during the WB meeting?

Never mind they don't have to act like they care for a couple more years.

Muley_73 · Nov 30, 2017

Lol, yeah too bad.

elkantlers · Nov 30, 2017

How in the world can there not be any added pressure when you allow up to 30000 people to hunt all three seasons? How many extra elk will be killed? If you can't kill an elk with that kind of time you really aren't trying.
If, and when, this turns into another Fishlake there better be some accountability and some heads rolling. We have people running the show that are clueless.

Muley_73 · Nov 30, 2017

No heads ever roll. Just like Fishlake, Parker pronghorn. Helll look at our deer herd. Once 800k plus and now less than half of that...who answered for any of those things. Utah is way way to concerned about finding ways to issue more tags rather than growing their herds. Think about it, today the discussion never once on any specie was about growing or expanding herds. It was the exact opposite.

desertpointbrian · Nov 30, 2017

The Utah dwr are drunk on someone's kool-aid. Let's take an already low success hunt like the general bull units and make them even more overcrowded and even more of a joke hunting wise. so they receive more income. No wonder every other state laughs at utahs motives and wildlife management

elkassassin · Nov 30, 2017

I Don't know about anybody else?

But I'm about Done!

She Don't Just Rain She Pours!

That Girl Right There's The Perfect Storm!

Elkslayer2015 · Nov 30, 2017

I really don't think it's going to be as crowded as we think people can't take that much time off and as far as them meeting there objective on elk there not going to until people start getting off the roads and atv trails and hunt there's plenty of elk in the general units as far as LE units bad idea I'm not a fan of it!

fullthrottle · Nov 30, 2017

Amy, your awesome. Thanks for Keeping us posted. As far as Utahs big game management strategies, they are a joke. I've been done for years. To many good opportunities in other states to waste time in Utah. There graphs, charts, whatever they use to come up with there numbers are embarrassing. The future isn't looking to bright.

headshot05 · Dec 2, 2017

So are they for sure going through with letting people hunt all 3 elk seasons? If so I think it is a crying shame to not cap it. Or how about treat it like the dedicated hunter program? 2 elk every 3 years. On another note, I think spike hunting should not be done on limited entry units, especially if said spike hunter can hunt all 3 seasons. Spike hunts should be limited to general season areas. I think it's sad that someone waits 20 years for a trophy tag and has to compete with all the spike hunters. I also think that they should split the general elk units up similar to what they did with the deer units and make people apply for those units, if you don't draw, tough sh!t, there's always next year or the year after. And if there are separate smaller units add more rifle seasons put as many tags into the units but split it up so there are less people on the mountain at the same time.

Deerlove · Dec 2, 2017

Head shot I totally agree with you, there underselling the tags. I've begged for a dedicated elk tag program. Or the two elk in three years. The selfish side of me will take it.

deerkiller · Dec 2, 2017

Here's how I see the 3 season elk tag...:

If you don't wanna participate, don't buy a tag. It's a that simple. Pick your season and buy your $50 tag. I'm all for the multi season tag. $150 is cheap. I'd pay double that for the chance to hunt elk for 3 months. I pay damn near that to hunt deer for 3 seasons and can only kill 2 deer. I've wanted this opportunity for a long time.

JakeH · Dec 2, 2017

Man some of you guys with your sky is falling crap. LOL

Most of you don't even know how it's going to work.

This will not increase the amount of people hunting elk, if anything its going to reduce the number of people hunting the rifle season, it may increase the bow hunt a little, but I doubt there are a significant number of rifle/muzzy hunters willing to buy the gear, and put in the time to know how to use it.

As for the muzzy hunt, yeah you guys are screwed as that is going to see a definite increase in hunters at least for the one weekend they give you to hunt.

I tell you what, if you are a rifle hunter you better get your tag early this year, the anyweapon tags are going to go quick.

Jake H. BIG BONE HUNTING Page on Facebook.

Muley_73 · Dec 3, 2017

Jake,
The sky is falling is about false worry. The fact that the DWR has failed miserably on deer management and has shown the willness to destroy elk herds with poor judgment and management in the past makes it a real concern not a precieved concern.

People are concerned about how long it takes to draw LE elk permits. So buy all means let's increase the number is spikes we kill. That makes tons of sense. And all with out any added opportunity just more days in the field for the same number of tag holders. Bad bad idea that was not thought out completely before passing. Just like the Pauns dates extending. Quick decision with out understanding the full scope of the decision. Same with the early rifle hunts, one board member concerned about his home unit so they drop it. Well if it was bad for that unit why was it ok for the others? Cause it didn't effect him personally??? No direction and poor decisions, Utahs management is a joke.

elkassassin · Dec 3, 2017

I Thought it was all $$$ Related!

But EFA told me different!

NE Utah Deer Herd is Suffering Big Time!

Maybe they'll cut another 100 Tags?

She Don't Just Rain She Pours!

That Girl Right There's The Perfect Storm!

elkfromabove · Dec 3, 2017

>
>I Thought it was all $$$
>Related!
>
>But EFA told me different!
>
>NE Utah Deer Herd is Suffering
>Big Time!
>
>Maybe they'll cut another 100 Tags?
>

Well, I told you what I thought it wasn't about. Are you interested in knowing what I think it is about?

elkantlers · Dec 4, 2017

It's about money... potentially 1.5M increasing to 4.5M. That and the WB and Some of the DWR biologists are idiots.
Seriously, How is this a good idea? I understand more days afield is nice, But I am all for less days with lower crowding than more days with more hunters. There is alot to be said for hunter disbursement. Also, less elk making it through to the next hunt is not good.
Our WB is a joke!

Robiland · Dec 4, 2017

I watched some of the video while I was working. I may have missed this part, BUT, what are the plans for the split deer season? Where are they going to put those dates? Mix them in with the rifle elk hunt in the beginning of October? With the Muzzy guys at the end of Sept? I dont know, I did not hear. So any help with that would be nice. I for one dont like the idea. Crowding is only bad on the roads. I grew up hunting with 200,00 plus hunters and I never thought it was that bad back then.

hossblur · Dec 4, 2017

I hunt elk on the north slope. I find it hilarious thinking there will be some slaughter. Archery season is during atv and labor weekend. We've been more successful than most camps(7 tags in camp) this is the first year we haven't killed an elk in a decade. By November, on a year like this where its not covered in snow and inaccessible, the elk are already in chalk creek or Lyman or Robertson. 75% of the general season rarely get off the road. Of the small handful that do, the high country they hunt won't hold elk that late. Can't speak for other units, but north slope is a low success unit for a reason, and that reason is the landscape.

"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun"

elkassassin · Dec 4, 2017

>>
>>I Thought it was all $$$
>>Related!
>>
>>But EFA told me different!
>>
>>NE Utah Deer Herd is Suffering
>>Big Time!
>>
>>Maybe they'll cut another 100 Tags?
>>
>
>Well, I told you what I
>thought it wasn't about. Are
>you interested in knowing what
>I think it is about?
>

Ya!

Fire away!

She Don't Just Rain She Pours!

That Girl Right There's The Perfect Storm!

deerkiller · Dec 4, 2017

So the split rifle deer season... what happens with the DH guys who have that unit? Do they get 2 rifle deer hunts now? If so, that's not fair. And since everything has to be fair these days, we either need to do a protest or start a riot, until we get 2 rifle deer hunts for all 30 units! ?

Robiland · Dec 4, 2017

>I hunt elk on the north
>slope. I find it
>hilarious thinking there will be
>some slaughter. Archery season
>is during atv and labor
>weekend. We've been more
>successful than most camps(7 tags
>in camp) this is the
>first year we haven't killed
>an elk in a decade.
> By November, on a
>year like this where its
>not covered in snow and
>inaccessible, the elk are already
>in chalk creek or Lyman
>or Robertson. 75% of
>the general season rarely get
>off the road. Of
>the small handful that do,
>the high country they hunt
>won't hold elk that late.
> Can't speak for other
>units, but north slope is
>a low success unit for
>a reason, and that reason
>is the landscape.
>
>
>"The only thing that stops a
>bad guy with a gun
>is a good guy with
>a gun"

HOSS,

I am thinking along the lines of even the general spike units. It will be just that many more days in the field and that many more spikes killed and fewer mature bulls in the years to come.

Honestly, not sure what to think. I think one way for a bit that I like it, and then back the other way and not like it. OH well. Time will tell.

hossblur · Dec 5, 2017

I hunted the Manti before it was an LE. Then after a few years it blossomed. After which it was sacrificed to the expo, conservation groups, etc. Point being, the best le units will only stay that way until there is more money to be made selling spike tags than le tags. If you honestly think about it, how many rifle hunters will pick up a bow and suddenly start killing elk? If the state is worried about decimating elk herds, it should stop killing pregnant cows.

"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun"

elkantlers · Dec 5, 2017

>I hunted the Manti before it
>was an LE. Then
>after a few years it
>blossomed. After which it
>was sacrificed to the expo,
>conservation groups, etc. Point
>being, the best le units
>will only stay that way
>until there is more money
>to be made selling spike
>tags than le tags.
>If you honestly think about
>it, how many rifle hunters
>will pick up a bow
>and suddenly start killing elk?
> If the state is
>worried about decimating elk herds,
>it should stop killing pregnant
>cows.
>
>
>
>"The only thing that stops a
>bad guy with a gun
>is a good guy with
>a gun"

It's not how many rifle hunters are going to pick up a bow, It's how many bow hunters are going to pick up a rifle and kill an elk!

elkassassin · Dec 5, 2017

Just Open it Up Statewide!

Open it up to Year Around Hunting!

Kill When You Want to!

Shoot what You Want to!

Kill all Future Quality Animals when they are PISSCUTTERS or before they are Born!

Utah = The Way Not To Manage Game Herds!

She Don't Just Rain She Pours!

That Girl Right There's The Perfect Storm!

Shadow · Dec 6, 2017

I couldnt agree more Elkass. Some people won't be happy until they can hunt the animals year round. Nonstop pressure from August till January and we wonder why numbers and quality are down.

elkfromabove · Dec 10, 2017

>
>Just Open it Up Statewide!
>
>Open it up to Year Around
>Hunting!
>
>Kill When You Want to!
>
>Shoot what You Want to!
>
>Kill all Future Quality Animals when
>they are PISSCUTTERS or before
>they are Born!
>
>Utah = The Way Not To
>Manage Game Herds!

There ya go! The answer to my previous post. You would love to manage the whole state only for "Quality" animals and to hell with those of us who just want to enjoy the hunt with family and friends and who don't care about the number of inches in the headgear. And since you can't seem to make a reasonable case for that, you resort to a theatrical tactic of ridicule that is solely designed to draw an emotional response which simply ends up in a shouting match. Yes sir, that's how we should manage game herds!

Muley_73 · Dec 10, 2017

Lee,
Grow up and evolve. Go reread the hunter safety manual.

elkfromabove · Dec 14, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Dec-15-17 AT 04:32AM (MST)[p]>Lee,
>Grow up and evolve. Go
>reread the hunter safety manual.
>

Ya mean this part?

Edited for further information:

"It should be the goal of every responsible hunter to become a true sportsman. As a hunter gains experience and skill, studies have shown that he or she will typically pass through five distinct stages of development. Keep in mind, however, that not everyone passes through all of these stages, nor do they necessarily do it in the same order.

The five stages of hunter development are: (Note the typical order.)

-Shooting Stage:
The priority is getting off a shot, rather than patiently waiting for a good shot. This eagerness to shoot can lead to bad decisions that endanger others. A combination of target practice and mentoring helps most hunters move quickly out of this stage.

-Limiting-Out-Stage:
Success is determined by bagging the limit. In extreme cases, this need to limit also can cause hunters to take unsafe shots. Spending time with more mature hunters helps people grow out of this phase.

-Trophy Stage:
The hunter is selective and judges success by quality rather than quantity. Typically, the focus is on big game. Anything that doesn't measure up to the desired trophy is ignored.

-Method Stage:
In this stage, the process of hunting becomes the focus. A hunter may still want to limit out but places a higher priority on how it's accomplished.

-Sportsman Stage:
Success is measured by the total experience-the appreciation of the out-of-doors and animal being hunted, the process of the hunt, and the companionship of other hunters."

I've been through all those stages in the typical order and I'm now at the recommended Sportsman Stage and have been for about 54 years. Where are you?