LAST EDITED ON Aug-14-06 AT 09:22PM (MST)[p]I had to look up this program to find out what you're talking about, so I might be wrong but I think these elements are already included in Utah's management plan. It isn't working, although I suppose it makes sense to think that at least these steps are decreasing the rate of decline.
In light of Utah's apparently failed efforts, a growing number of hunters have come to the opinion that our increase in elk numbers is to blame. I'm not one of them.
Habitat loss and particularly the loss of critical winter range is the problem. There's not a lot hunters seem to be willing to do about that, especially with so many hunters and CO leaders who have themselves taken that range for building lots. Given that the remaining range will never again hold numbers like it did 10 or 20 years ago, there's only one inevitable solution and hunters aren't happy with it - we need to reduce harvest rates. Utah is taking steps to do that. They aren't popular.
I hope Idaho can find another way so Utah can learn by the example. But short of passing laws to restrict growth and development, I don't know what else will work.
