Utah Hunting

Hunting here in Utah is not what it once was. As I'm getting older, I find it very difficult to get around in these mountains and when you have to pull a kill out, it's even more of a challenge. For the past 5yrs, I have been purchasing a preference or bonus point to build up for a special limited entry hunt for deer. This way it would be my once in a lifetime hunt and I would be able to get the area I'm wanting to hunt in and my last possible hunt. This yrs 2010 Utah Hunting guide book informs hunters : SALT LAKE CITY — Utah has two systems that are designed to give everyone a chance to hunt big game animals in Utah.

Changes are coming to both of those systems — Utah's bonus point and preference point systems — in 2009.

One of the changes will reward those who apply regularly for some of the most difficult permits to obtain in Utah. Two other changes will make it easier for various hunters to get a deer hunting permit. A fourth change will help stop an unethical practice that's picking up steam in the state.

The changes were approved Dec. 4 by members of the Utah Wildlife Board.

Changes

The changes, and the challenges they address, are listed below:

Change for 2009: If you don't apply for a limited entry or once-in-a-lifetime permit at least once every three years, you'll lose all of the bonus points you've accumulated up to that time.

Challenge in the past: Some of Utah's big game permits are limited in number. They're tough to draw. "This change will reward those who apply for a permit regularly by removing bonus points from those who don't," says Greg Sheehan, Administrative Services Section chief for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

"If you apply for a permit regularly, we want to give you the best chance possible to get one."
I guess that defeats my purpose. I have tried for a limited entry hunt in the past but was unsuccessful. Its so easy to get a general big game(buck) permit here but thats not what I wanted. I've come to the conclusion since the state of Utah does not manage herds in any area of the state but only words on paper that I will not be seaking any further points. Our fees for drawing a permit is summited to the state of Nevada. So, since my fees go to another state for a hunting permit, looks like the state of Wyoming(who does an excellent job in herd management) will be seeing my fees, even if it costs me alot more as a non-resident. There are more changes in hunting in Utah under preference/bonus points.

Obviously you don't understand the fundamentals of Game Management in Utah. To the wildlife biologists working for the state of Utah it is management of the game and the primary emphasis is how to manage hunters. Hence, all the rule changes. But then again, it's a government program administered at the state level. When the fee for application program began in the late 1980s it was a $5 fee that was established to purchase the computer system that would be used for the drawing of permits process. Shortly thereafter, the state of Utah decided they could not provide the staff required to support timely data input so they began to outsource the drawing process. Low and behold a successful vendor was located in our adjacent neighbor, Nevada. Since then, Utah hunters have watched their application fees cross state lines and no longer provide any value, after the proffit margin, go into our own state wildlife improvement measures. Similar to other resident recreation dollars in the form of lottery tickets in Idaho, fireworks and horse racing in Wyoming, casinos in Colorado and Nevada. We're surrounded by recreational opportunities here in this state but continue to provide our neighbors with our hard-earned cash and get nothing in return. Another tax base missed opportunity.

Thanks for getting me started Roger. I couldn't let this alone! tooexcited

This is my opinion and I'm stickin to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! fencing

I hope we hear from a Utah DWR employee on this thread. movie89586

For years I have watched the number of deer permits issued in the northern region of Utah. It ranges any where from 14,000-16,000 over the counter general issue. The buck to doe ratio fluctuates every year and is very low in the beginning, and with this many hunters, its a wander that the herds aren't decimated. I quit hunting the Monte Cristo area years ago because it turns into tent city up there. Not many bucks come out and the ones that do are pathetic looking, small racks, and lucky enough to weigh about 100lbs. Whenever I drive to Flaming Gorge thru Wyoming, I drool at times because of some of the wall hangars I see running around out there. Its also starting to take its toll in the premium limited hunt areas of Utah. Its not only effecting deer, but Elk as well. The state(Nevada, I should say) manages to take your money, but Utah fails to show you what we are hunting for. Oh yes, lets not forget to pay for a rate increase for a permit so they can get payed for doing a fine job. After all, decisions on how to screw you takes alot of thought process. These are the same ones that manage our fisheries. Looking fwd to catching a Burbot state record and wall hangar. thumbsup There has been talk about starting a possible intermountain region of Kokanee Power here, but I'm afraid any funds put together for this organization would somehow be lost through loopholes in the state of Utah.