no Rac for Dedicated Hunters

[cabinfever]

Did anyone attend the Rac in Ceader City last Night? Is it just me, or was that meeting too long, and pretty much un-necessary for the 90% of the guys that were there to fulfill there dedicated hunter requirements? I'm all for the DH projects, whether they help wildlife in a small, or big way. I support the 2 deer in 3 years, and even the fee you have to pay to join the program, but for heavens sake, lets get rid of this Rac meeting requirement, or at least make it shorter and more organized. I have attended a few Rac meetings in the last six years and was not really impressed. Many of the issues discussed were the same ones from the previous year.Even members of the RAC said "we discussed that issue last year, lets make a decision and move ahead". The DWR's answer was always something like, we need more time, discussion, and research. And then there is the public comment. Yes, you can feel out a comment card and let your voice be heard, but the truth be told, most guys wont because unless you belong to a "big organization" your opinion means nothing. And lastly, do they actually adress the deer herd problem's at these Rac's. Again I've only been too a few of the meetings, and have found that they sure like to talk about elk, yet our Utah Elk herd is essentially at objective, while our deer herd is severly below objective. Anyway thats another discussion. Bottom line is, how many Dedicated Hunters think we should do away with the RAC meeting requirement.

Mike

 

[Deerlove]

Mike I just think they want involvement, they wont pass the roll call around in No Ut until the end of the meeting. Last month it was 4 hours later. Russ

 

[quickdrawkinker]

The DWR's intent is to get the dedicated hunters involved in the meetings, which hasn't worked out well at all. I'd venture to guess that 99.9% of them are just there to fill their requirements--so yeah, I agree that they should do away with the mandatory rac meeting and possibly make it so that the dedicated hunters that want to take an active part in the rac meetings can use their time towards the work hours as long as they are contributing. I was at the meeting last night as well and as I was looking around the only people paying attention and taking any action were the ranchers and they have an obvious conflict of interest because their livestock is competing with big game for food. The sportsmen were represented only by one guy that had the balls to get up there and speak, but was quickly discredited when he thought the previous 2 hour discussion pertained to deer when it was actually elk! So to answer your question, I agree that the DWR needs to rethink the mandatory rac meetings and the dedicated hunters need to get together and establish what's important to them and present it to the RAC.

 

[cabinfever]

Amen quickdrawkinker.I totally agree with dedicated hunters coming together on issues.My feelings are, if a guy is passionate about an issue on the agenda he will show up and voice his concern. They have never adressed, what I feel are the important issues, like a reformed deer management plan. I'd wager 90% of the attendants were Dedicated Hunters, yet they hardly spoke a word about what they are doing to improve declining deer numbers. If they want participation, they should talk about issues the majority of the attendants care about.

Mike