New Utah DWR Director?

AlpineBasin · Apr 26, 2005

Looks like they have choosen a new director for the Division of Wildlife Resources in Utah, Jim Karpowitz. I don't know a lot about Karpowitz, so I was wondering what his track record is like. Is he focused on managing for quality or quantity, for elk or deer, managing hunts and hunters or habitat? I also wondered what his association is with SFW, will he do his own thing even if SFW is opposed? I do not want to turn this into a name calling post, I just want to know where he stands on the issues. Please don't get too nasty. Thanks.
AB

fstop · Apr 26, 2005

I personally have only met him once. He seemed to give straight answers to the questions I had and didn't seem to beat around the bush on direct questions. Someone who I work with has had more contact with him than I and he seemed to think it was a good hire. I do know that he was in Price for a long time,I think he replaced Jim Bates down there. I also heard he has been pro-active when it came to getting the bison herd on the Henries and has been involved with the transplant of many bighorn sheep around the state. I think he was more recently the Big Game Cordinater for the DWR and I for one am happy that someone with some background with something that is close to my heart will be heading up the DWR. The only question I have is what happened to Miles Moretti sp? I knew that he was the acting director after the death of Mr Conway and I thought it was possible that he would get the nod? I don't know how much management experience Jim has? I think like allot of us when we take on a new job and responsibilies, you have to expect some time to learn the job and figure out where you want to make the biggest impact. I wish him luck,
Adam aka Fstop

Packout · Apr 26, 2005

There is no better DWR employee than Jim Karpowitz. He is the straightest shooter you'd ever talk to in the DWR. As was stated before he was a biologist in Price and still resides in Caste Valley. He came up with the idea of Spike Only elk hunting which gave us the Limited Entry Elk hunts we have now. He was also the Once-In-A-Lifetime Game manager and then went on to take over the Big Game manager. He does have ties to SFW and other conservation groups which have aided the DWR in getting transplants and certain funding. He is just a great guy. No better for the position. (No I am not related, nor do I work with him)