Utah Wildlife Resources seeks public input on hunting regulation proposals – TownLift, Park City News

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is seeking public comment on proposed changes to hunting regulations for waterfowl, bears, cougars and furbearers.

These proposals include consolidating migratory and migratory waterfowl species in the next Utah Waterfowl Guidebook, designating all of them as “migratory birds” in administrative law, and revising the law to include snipe, coot , American crow, band-tailed pigeon. , mourning dove, white-winged dove, sandhill pigeon and black bear.

DWR is proposing a three-year hunting management cycle for these birds, up from the previous two-year cycle. “These species of birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Convention Act, and the regulations, dates of the year and bag limits are ultimately set by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as well as the harvest policies of many available states. in the Pacific Flyway,” migrating DWR. bird and falconry coordinator Jason Jones said in a news release. “So, changes to waterfowl plans are relatively small, and regulations are tightly controlled, so the three-year cycle provides more stability.”

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DWR is proposing new season dates and bag limits for the newly listed species over the next three years, including effective bird and waterfowl hunting regulations for the Provo River Delta and Blackhawk Waterfowl Management Areas. The Provo River Delta, open to the public since October, allows fishing and hunting in certain areas of the property. The new Blackhawk WMA is near the Great Salt Lake, but current access issues prevent public access, although it will open later.

The public can watch pre-meeting biologist presentations and share their thoughts on the DWR website or watch the presentations on the DWR YouTube channel and submit comments through the website’s forums.

Public comments are open for five Regional Advisory Council meetings and the Utah Wildlife Board meeting, beginning Nov. 19. Online comments will only be accepted until the deadlines listed on the DWR website. Submissions are also available on the DWR YouTube channel, but comments can only be submitted through the forms on the DWR website.

More information on the proposals:

• Waterfowl: DWR proposes to include migratory and waterfowl species in the next Utah Waterfowl Book. This will include species such as snipe, coot, American crow, band-tailed pigeon, mourning dove, white-winged dove, and sandhill crane. DWR is also proposing a three-year hunting management cycle for these birds, up from the previous two-year cycle.

• Bears: DWR is proposing permit numbers and year dates for the 2025-27 black bear hunting and stalking seasons. DWR also recommends the following rule changes:
  • Allowing the use of a metal container to catch bait during the seasons where it is legally allowed. The size of the container cannot exceed 55 liters and cannot be used in areas designated as wilderness by land management agencies. The container must also be removed within 72 hours of harvest or at the end of the season.
  • Allows anyone holding a multi-season bear permit to hunt additional open harvest seasons in the area they draw, including limited entry seasons.

• Cougars: DWR is proposing the following rule changes for cougars:
  • Allowing the sale of cougar pelts “raw”, meaning the skin does not need to be tanned first.
  • Allowing the use of rimfire cartridges and rifles to harvest cougars caught in traps. This amendment will not allow the use of these guns and ammunition to harvest cougars that are not trapped in traps.

• Furbearers: DWR proposes season dates and permits for bobcat, beaver, mink, marten, badger, gray fox, kit fox, ringtail, spotted skunk and weasel species. There is a recommendation to close three beaver harvest areas (areas where beavers were relocated to help with housing projects), while two more areas were proposed to be opened also for catching beavers.

Other recommendations and updates from DWR include falconry, beaver, management recommendations, antler collection committee decisions, and plans for the West Desert Complex deer and elk unit.

Meetings:

Central Utah RAC Meeting: Dec. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the DWR Springville Office at 1115 N. Main St. in Springville.

Northern Utah RAC Meeting: Dec. 11 at 6pm at the Weber County Commission Chambers at 2380 Washington Blvd. #240 in Ogden.

Southern Utah RAC Conference: Dec. 17 at 6pm at the DNR Richfield City Complex at 2031 Industrial Park Road in Richfield.

Southeastern Utah RAC Conference: Dec. 18 at 6pm at the John Wesley Powell Museum at 1765 E. Main St. Green River.

Northeastern Utah RAC Conference: Dec. 19 at 6pm at the DWR Vernal Office at 318 N. Vernal Ave. in Vernal.

Utah Wildlife Board Meeting: Jan. 9 a.m. at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center at 1157 South Waterfowl Way in Farmington.

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