predator
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Hello All- I attended the Central RAC last night and I have to admit that for the first time since I've been attending these meetings, I have hope.
Here are a few highlights, if I've missed something you are interested in, let me know:
Draw Lock devices for traditional bows, disabled persons ONLY-approved
Change in arrow length and weight-TABLED until further investigation can be completed.
Proposal to prohibit shed-hunting Feb.1-Apr. 30, approved
Proposal to allow finders of naturally killed animals (ie, the skull-cap rule) to keep the find as long as they present it to the Division, which will then donate it back. This involves a huge process, as the current rule requires that all protected game belongs to the DWR. They will be working on a form and process to make this reality. Look for this to be passed up from the RAC to the Board for a vote.
DEER:
Proposal for the first 9 days of archery season limited to the region drawn-generated a lot of debate, tabled for more discussion at other RAC's. There is still a perception that the S. Region is being pounded by hunters, and it is fueled by DWR numbers. I'd sure like to know how they know for sure where everybody hunts the first 9 days of the season? I've never been asked, and no one I know has ever been asked!! I do know that there is a survey currently in the works to address this perception.
Allow a 2000 permit buck/bull combo tag on any bull units in the N. Region. These are not additional permits, but would come from the Northern allocation of deer permits.
Proposal to continue to limit the southern regions to a 5-day hunt. This proposal was pretty much torn up when numerous sportsmen and RAC members alike noted that the Central Region is still below the desired buck:doe ratio, while the current 5-day restricted regions are above. There was a motion made and passed that the deer season statewide be returned to 9 days, with the Central Region probably reducing tag numbers to continue to upward trend of buck to doe ratios.
In addition to the above, a proposal was motioned and passed for the formation of a Deer Management Group, along the same lines as the current Elk Group. Since the management plan for deer is due for revision in 2008, some felt it was time to get ahead of the process. I applaud the RAC for bringing the idea forward now.
ELK:
Sanpete Extended Archery Boundary- This was a hotly debated issue. The elk are still being hit on 89, but not to the extent they were prior to the formation of this extended hunt. The biologist wants to continue this hunt, but move the boundary back to the forest boundary, where it was initially. There were several individuals that expressed their concerns with the tactics being used by landowners, ie, baiting and charging huge trespass fees, posting previously unposted land, etc. I recall this having been a big issue previously when the hunt was formed. The elk are migratory and cause significant damage to cars and people when they get hit. Originally the DWR in conjunction with sportsmen groups were going to put in a game fence, but I believe the UDOT shot that down (anyone who can put me straight on that one?).
Anyway, the proposal passed, with comment toward exploring some landowner incentives like reimbursing them for allowing trespass (think Wyoming carcass coupons), and removing their ability to claim depredation damage if they don't allow trespass at all or abuse it by charging high fees. This appears to be a hot-button issue with locals fighting locals. If you are headed down to Sanpete county, I urge caution as to where you plan to hunt!
Both the Wasatch and Nebo late hunts were removed due to the high success and excessive big bull kills-DUH. Didn't we as sportsman tell them that when it was first proposed??
Added a muzzleloader elk hunt to Nine Mile, Range Creek.
Add a late any-weapon elk hunt on S. Slope, Diamond Mtn.
YOUTH HUNT PROPOSAL: This also generated a lot of debate from RAC members and sportsmen alike. A new proposal was motioned and passed during the process. Basically there are several units with nearly even bull to cow ratios. Bulls need to be harvested and originally the Elk Group's proposal was a management bull hunt open to all. Somehow it morphed into a Youth Hunt before it hit the RAC's. As of last night, the new proposal looks as follows:
A management bull hunt with permits allocated by 20% to Youth Hunters, 20% to hunters age 65 and older (I have to agree with that one, how many of our fathers will never draw now), and the remaining 60% to general application. These permits will be in addition to the trophy bull permits. The incentive is that if you harvest a management bull, you retain your points and waiting period. If you screw up and lose your mind and shoot a trophy bull, you lose not only the bull, but your points and are on a waiting period. All permitees would be required to either report or produce either bull or unused tag.
There will be an across-the-board increase in management age class by 1 year. Sounds like an increase in permits in some of those older-than-age-class harvest units to me!
SHEEP: 1 new NR permit good for both Range Creek and Rattlesnake units. New hunt on the Wasatch Mtns, probably one tag. A concern about this population being unable to withstand the pressure should say, the Sportsman and Governer's tag holders also hunting this unit was addressed by limiting the total take to 2 rams.
MTN GOAT: Provo Peak boundary change to include a dispersal population of goats. Elminate the nanny hunt on Beaver to allow growth for future goat translocation.
PRONGHORN: Split the SW Desert/Beaver/Pine Valley hunt into 3 separate hunts.
Did I miss anything? Let me know.
I hope to see more sportsmen and women than groups at the next several RAC's.....mostly groups last night, with only a few individuals. This RAC appeared to me to be more open to listening to what was being said and expressed by the folks that did speak-USE THIS OPPORTUNITY!!
Pred
Here are a few highlights, if I've missed something you are interested in, let me know:
Draw Lock devices for traditional bows, disabled persons ONLY-approved
Change in arrow length and weight-TABLED until further investigation can be completed.
Proposal to prohibit shed-hunting Feb.1-Apr. 30, approved
Proposal to allow finders of naturally killed animals (ie, the skull-cap rule) to keep the find as long as they present it to the Division, which will then donate it back. This involves a huge process, as the current rule requires that all protected game belongs to the DWR. They will be working on a form and process to make this reality. Look for this to be passed up from the RAC to the Board for a vote.
DEER:
Proposal for the first 9 days of archery season limited to the region drawn-generated a lot of debate, tabled for more discussion at other RAC's. There is still a perception that the S. Region is being pounded by hunters, and it is fueled by DWR numbers. I'd sure like to know how they know for sure where everybody hunts the first 9 days of the season? I've never been asked, and no one I know has ever been asked!! I do know that there is a survey currently in the works to address this perception.
Allow a 2000 permit buck/bull combo tag on any bull units in the N. Region. These are not additional permits, but would come from the Northern allocation of deer permits.
Proposal to continue to limit the southern regions to a 5-day hunt. This proposal was pretty much torn up when numerous sportsmen and RAC members alike noted that the Central Region is still below the desired buck:doe ratio, while the current 5-day restricted regions are above. There was a motion made and passed that the deer season statewide be returned to 9 days, with the Central Region probably reducing tag numbers to continue to upward trend of buck to doe ratios.
In addition to the above, a proposal was motioned and passed for the formation of a Deer Management Group, along the same lines as the current Elk Group. Since the management plan for deer is due for revision in 2008, some felt it was time to get ahead of the process. I applaud the RAC for bringing the idea forward now.
ELK:
Sanpete Extended Archery Boundary- This was a hotly debated issue. The elk are still being hit on 89, but not to the extent they were prior to the formation of this extended hunt. The biologist wants to continue this hunt, but move the boundary back to the forest boundary, where it was initially. There were several individuals that expressed their concerns with the tactics being used by landowners, ie, baiting and charging huge trespass fees, posting previously unposted land, etc. I recall this having been a big issue previously when the hunt was formed. The elk are migratory and cause significant damage to cars and people when they get hit. Originally the DWR in conjunction with sportsmen groups were going to put in a game fence, but I believe the UDOT shot that down (anyone who can put me straight on that one?).
Anyway, the proposal passed, with comment toward exploring some landowner incentives like reimbursing them for allowing trespass (think Wyoming carcass coupons), and removing their ability to claim depredation damage if they don't allow trespass at all or abuse it by charging high fees. This appears to be a hot-button issue with locals fighting locals. If you are headed down to Sanpete county, I urge caution as to where you plan to hunt!
Both the Wasatch and Nebo late hunts were removed due to the high success and excessive big bull kills-DUH. Didn't we as sportsman tell them that when it was first proposed??
Added a muzzleloader elk hunt to Nine Mile, Range Creek.
Add a late any-weapon elk hunt on S. Slope, Diamond Mtn.
YOUTH HUNT PROPOSAL: This also generated a lot of debate from RAC members and sportsmen alike. A new proposal was motioned and passed during the process. Basically there are several units with nearly even bull to cow ratios. Bulls need to be harvested and originally the Elk Group's proposal was a management bull hunt open to all. Somehow it morphed into a Youth Hunt before it hit the RAC's. As of last night, the new proposal looks as follows:
A management bull hunt with permits allocated by 20% to Youth Hunters, 20% to hunters age 65 and older (I have to agree with that one, how many of our fathers will never draw now), and the remaining 60% to general application. These permits will be in addition to the trophy bull permits. The incentive is that if you harvest a management bull, you retain your points and waiting period. If you screw up and lose your mind and shoot a trophy bull, you lose not only the bull, but your points and are on a waiting period. All permitees would be required to either report or produce either bull or unused tag.
There will be an across-the-board increase in management age class by 1 year. Sounds like an increase in permits in some of those older-than-age-class harvest units to me!
SHEEP: 1 new NR permit good for both Range Creek and Rattlesnake units. New hunt on the Wasatch Mtns, probably one tag. A concern about this population being unable to withstand the pressure should say, the Sportsman and Governer's tag holders also hunting this unit was addressed by limiting the total take to 2 rams.
MTN GOAT: Provo Peak boundary change to include a dispersal population of goats. Elminate the nanny hunt on Beaver to allow growth for future goat translocation.
PRONGHORN: Split the SW Desert/Beaver/Pine Valley hunt into 3 separate hunts.
Did I miss anything? Let me know.
I hope to see more sportsmen and women than groups at the next several RAC's.....mostly groups last night, with only a few individuals. This RAC appeared to me to be more open to listening to what was being said and expressed by the folks that did speak-USE THIS OPPORTUNITY!!
Pred
