elkfromabove
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As usual with a heavy big game animal agenda, the meeting was 4 hours long. I missed the first half hour because of a family situation, but here's what happened on the action items per the printed agenda:
#5- R657-45 Wildlife License, Permit & COR Forms Rule amendment.
This is the amendment that allows us to purchase multi-year licenses at a possible discount. The numbers aren't yet determined per the Wildlife Board's approval, but it looks like the combo and hunting licenses are going up $6. This amendment would not only allow us to purchase a multi-year license, but it would give us a discount per year for doing so. The number proposed for the discount was $1 per year. Passed 8 to 2.
#6- R657-67 Utah Hunter Mentoring Program Rule amendment.
This amendment would remove the 10 day time requirement prior to the hunt for the submission of the written notice to share the adult's tag with the youth. This would allow the mentor to take more than just one of his children or grandchildren on the shorter hunts though he'll still only be able to share with one at a time and only one animal may be taken per tag. Passed unanimously.
#7- R657-13-7 Fishing With More Than One Pole Rule amendment.
This amendment allows fishing with more than one pole without having to purchase a second pole permit. Passed unanimously. If passed by the Wildlife Board, it will become effective July 1st.
#8- R657-60 Aquatic Invasion Species interdiction Rule amendment.
I'm sorry I didn't get all the details, but this amendment had to do with the increased number of waters (Lake Powell) where quagga mussels are found and the difficulty the DWR is having doing the cleaning and inspecting of boats and other equipment. If you have a boat, you'll need to be aware of any increased responsibilities for cleaning and penalties for failure to do so. Passed unanimously.
#9- Bucks, Bulls, OIAL & Antlerless Permit Recommendations for 2014.
There were actually 2 separate presentations and discussions on this item.
First, the Bucks, Bulls and OIAL tags were discussed. There were several amendments proposed from the audience and most had to do with the number of elk tags. The large contingents of ranchers and sportsmen (SFW) (about 20 each) had a bit of a disagreement on the number of elk counted and thus the number of tags proposed. There were conflicting numbers coming from all sides including the DWR, BLM and Forest Service as well as the ranchers and SFW. It was a relatively calm discussion, and the final bull elk amendment that passed ended up being 10 more bull elk tags on the Southwest Desert.
Another amendment that passed was to keep the same number of buck tags as 2013 on the Paunsagunt and the Henry Mountains instead of the proposed increase. The Friends of the Paunsagunt felt there hadn't been enough of a change in the trophy quality of the bucks per the management buck program to merit the increase.
The only other Bucks, Bulls and OIAL discussion had to do with the number of Desert Bighorn tags on the Zion unit. There was some concern about the quality (isolation) of the hunt with the tag increase, but it was pointed out by the division that with the latest count of 850 the herd was WAY over the initial objective and that the season is long enough to spread out the hunters and no actual proposal was made to change the presented numbers.
With the 2 passed amendments, the Bucks, Bulls and OIAL numbers as presented by the DWR passed, 6 to 4.
It's late and I'll continue the update in the morning with a second post. Good Night!
#5- R657-45 Wildlife License, Permit & COR Forms Rule amendment.
This is the amendment that allows us to purchase multi-year licenses at a possible discount. The numbers aren't yet determined per the Wildlife Board's approval, but it looks like the combo and hunting licenses are going up $6. This amendment would not only allow us to purchase a multi-year license, but it would give us a discount per year for doing so. The number proposed for the discount was $1 per year. Passed 8 to 2.
#6- R657-67 Utah Hunter Mentoring Program Rule amendment.
This amendment would remove the 10 day time requirement prior to the hunt for the submission of the written notice to share the adult's tag with the youth. This would allow the mentor to take more than just one of his children or grandchildren on the shorter hunts though he'll still only be able to share with one at a time and only one animal may be taken per tag. Passed unanimously.
#7- R657-13-7 Fishing With More Than One Pole Rule amendment.
This amendment allows fishing with more than one pole without having to purchase a second pole permit. Passed unanimously. If passed by the Wildlife Board, it will become effective July 1st.
#8- R657-60 Aquatic Invasion Species interdiction Rule amendment.
I'm sorry I didn't get all the details, but this amendment had to do with the increased number of waters (Lake Powell) where quagga mussels are found and the difficulty the DWR is having doing the cleaning and inspecting of boats and other equipment. If you have a boat, you'll need to be aware of any increased responsibilities for cleaning and penalties for failure to do so. Passed unanimously.
#9- Bucks, Bulls, OIAL & Antlerless Permit Recommendations for 2014.
There were actually 2 separate presentations and discussions on this item.
First, the Bucks, Bulls and OIAL tags were discussed. There were several amendments proposed from the audience and most had to do with the number of elk tags. The large contingents of ranchers and sportsmen (SFW) (about 20 each) had a bit of a disagreement on the number of elk counted and thus the number of tags proposed. There were conflicting numbers coming from all sides including the DWR, BLM and Forest Service as well as the ranchers and SFW. It was a relatively calm discussion, and the final bull elk amendment that passed ended up being 10 more bull elk tags on the Southwest Desert.
Another amendment that passed was to keep the same number of buck tags as 2013 on the Paunsagunt and the Henry Mountains instead of the proposed increase. The Friends of the Paunsagunt felt there hadn't been enough of a change in the trophy quality of the bucks per the management buck program to merit the increase.
The only other Bucks, Bulls and OIAL discussion had to do with the number of Desert Bighorn tags on the Zion unit. There was some concern about the quality (isolation) of the hunt with the tag increase, but it was pointed out by the division that with the latest count of 850 the herd was WAY over the initial objective and that the season is long enough to spread out the hunters and no actual proposal was made to change the presented numbers.
With the 2 passed amendments, the Bucks, Bulls and OIAL numbers as presented by the DWR passed, 6 to 4.
It's late and I'll continue the update in the morning with a second post. Good Night!