From littlebighorn: I too am curious why an additional months wait this year? Most of us are impatient, even when the answer is "unsuccessful". Perhaps you can respond to that question.
We don't run the drawing until after the permit numbers have been set, and this year, the Wildlife Board will set them on May 5. In years past, the Board has set the numbers the previous December.
From cannonball: Stillman it was fact and there wasn't any internet at that time. As to any any illicid act on his part I cannot say, but the outcry by the public was actual.
I don't know anything about this personally (I've only been with the DWR for about four years), but if it was before the Internet, then it was 15?20 years ago. At that time, I believe we published lists of who drew which permits (before privacy laws went into effect). And I can easily see how there would be complaints, even if DWR employees drew only once in a while. Everyone would know who they were. Things have changed a lot in the intervening years: The drawing is done by computer in Nevada, not by hand in Utah; hunters have access to a lot more information via the Internet; and the DWR workforce has turned over hugely. (About one-third of us joined the agency in just the past five years.)
From hossblur: I guess now the follow up to my question would be how often does this contract come up for bid?
I believe it's a 10-year contract, and we're about five or six years into it. You're welcome to call our Salt Lake Office if you'd like to see the statement of work and learn more about what we require the contractor to do.
From bpatterson: Amy is inviting you on a ride along. Who wouldn't want to take a girl up on that offer?
And when you're riding along with the biologists, I'll still be here at my computer working on the guidebooks and Web stuff. ;-)