Utah Elk-Control Permits?

[WIDOW_MAKER]

LAST EDITED ON Jul-15-12 AT 06:47PM (MST)[p]I was reading in the 2012 Big Game Utah Field Regulations that they added two new units for the Elk-Control Permits: Morgan-South Rich and South Slope,Yellowstone. I understand why they would want to reduce the number of antlerless elk in some of the units, BUT WHY SOUTH SLOPE, YELLOWSTONE? Here is the link to the boundary map of South Slope, Yellowstone:

http://wildlife.utah.gov/HAM/public/details_boundary.php?boundary_id=211

For those of you who don't know what Utah Elk-Control Permits are, this is the what the regulations say:

Elk-control permits available
Utah Admin. Rule R657-5-33
During the 2012 season, the Division wants hunters to harvest as many antlerless elk as possible from eight of Utah?s hunting
units:

? Chalk Creek
? East Canyon
? Henry Mountains
? Morgan-South Rich
? Nine Mile, Range Creek
? San Juan, East of US-191
? San Rafael, North
? South Slope, Yellowstone

If you obtained a permit (including general season) to harvest a buck, bull or once-in-a-lifetime species on any of the above units (not including CWMUs), you have the option of purchasing an antlerless elk-control permit.

The elk-control permit allows you to harvest an antlerless elk in the same unit where you'll already be hunting an antlered
big game animal. You may hunt the antlerless elk only during the season dates?and with the same weapon?listed on your buck, bull or once-in-a-lifetime permit.

If you will be hunting buck deer and antlerless elk at the same time, please visit wildlife.utah.gov/maps to verify your boundaries for the elk portion of the hunt. In some areas (such as Nine Mile, Range Creek; San Juan, East of US-191; and San Rafael, North), you may only hunt antlerless elk on part of the unit.

To obtain an antlerless elk-control
permit, please visit a license agent or any
Division office, beginning July 17, 2012.

I don't understand why South Slope, Yellowstone! Does anybody know why? Are there too many cow elk in this unit? I don't think so.

WIDOW_MAKER

 

[Packout]

Back when they did this in 2001 or so, we were hunting the South Slope. The shooting was like small arms practice at the military range. Mid-morning, opening day this guy is running through the trees and sees me. He comes over and asks if I had seen a wounded elk come through. For some reason I ask if it was a bull or a cow. His response was "I don't know. I have a tag for both." I went down and saddled my sorrel red horse and left. Never thought there was much chance of shoot first at "elk colors" until that day.

As for why they are doing it... They say it is over objective. I just think these types of OTC cow tags make for a sketchy hunt for other hunters.

 

[bowhunt3r4l1f3]

The unit is above objective. That is the only reason why, by a couple thousand elk I believe. It's actually a great area if you know how to find em. There are tons of elk there and it's any any bull area. But there aren't many people in Utah willing to do the work to get into those elk. That's why the population keeps growing there. It's lots of thick dark timber and it's really hard to find them.