DWR proposes return to nine-day hunt season
By Bob Bahlmann
11-07-07

SALT LAKE CITY—A 1999 decision by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources aimed at reducing hunting pressure on deer in portions of the state has backfired, a recent study reveals, so the division is looking at reversing the move that created five-day hunting seasons.
In 1999, the DWR restricted the central and southeast regions of the state to a five-day season in hopes that fewer deer would be taken. But hunters made a point of hunting every available day since they wouldn’t be able to hunt two weekends like the rest of the state.
Study results now back up what most hunters believed was the case for several years. According to statistics, over the past eight years, areas with a nine-day season have had an average of 285 deer per 1,000 hunters. By contrast the areas with a five-day season have had 364 deer harvested per 1,000 hunters.
With this information, the DWR is proposing that the five-day season in the central and southeast regions be returned to the traditional nine days. Regional meetings will be held to discuss these and other possible changes over the next two weeks.
The DWR is also recommending that the statewide general spike bull elk hunt return to a 13-day season. That would make the spike season the same length as the state’s general any bull elk season.
Additional information regarding deer and elk management will also be discussed at a series of upcoming public meetings.
These meeting will also give interested parties an opportunity to express their feelings about Utah’s big game management plans.
Representatives from Utah’s five Regional Advisory councils will take public input to the Utah Wildlife Board on Nov. 29 prior to approving Utah’s 2008 Big Game Guidebook.
Meeting dates, times and locations are as follows:
Southern Region
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 5 p.m.
Hurricane High School, 345 W. Tiger Blvd., Hurricane
Southeastern Region
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m.
John Wesley Powell Museum, 1765 E. Main St., Green River
Northeastern Region
Thursday, Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m.
Western Park, Room 2, 302 E. 200 South, Vernal
Central Region
Tuesday, Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m.
Springville Junior High School, 165 S. 700 East, Springville
Northern Region
Nov. 19, 6 p.m.
Brigham City Community Center, 24 N. 300 West, Brigham City

Some of the other big game proposals the DWR will present include the following for southern Utah:
• Change the Fillmore, Oak Creek South bull elk unit from a limited entry unit to a general any bull elk unit.
• Change the Plateau, Fishlake-Thousand Lake buck deer unit from a limited entry unit to a general season unit.
• Create a new general any bull elk unit in southeastern Utah. The unit would be on the east side of U.S. 191, just east of the San Juan limited entry bull elk unit.