Utah Admin. Code R657-37-10 - CWMU's On Units Exceeding Population Objectives

(1) If a wildlife management unit is over objective by 10% or more over a continuous three year period, the division may recommend that CWMUs on that unit participate in the following strategies:

(a) antlerless elk hunters will have the ability to purchase one additional antlerless permit. This additional permit would be issued in addition to the previously approved base number of antlerless permits on the CWMU;

(b) public and private buck/bull hunters of any species will have the ability to purchase an antlerless permit. These antlerless permits would be issued in addition to the previously approved base number of antlerless permits;

(c) CWMUs will be encouraged to participate in the antlerless reciprocal permit program;

(d) the division may call a depredation hunt using public hunters;

(e) the division may issue private vouchers to the CWMU operator, which cannot be sold, to use if it is not feasible to call a public hunt; and

(f) call an emergency hunt at the end of the season.

(2) Fulfilling a "harvest objective" requirement for CWMUs in over objective units;

(a) the division will set a harvest objective of antlerless animals that need to be harvested annually;

(b) if the prescribed hunts fail to meet the desired harvest, additional harvest will take place in February after public hunts are over;

(c) CWMUs are responsible for the additional harvest, making up the difference between what was harvested during the season and the harvest objective;

(d) all meat shall be donated to food banks with CWMUs paying for at least 50% of the processing costs; and

(e) CWMUs operating under the "harvest objective" requirement shall report to the CWMU advisory committee annually on additional efforts made to help the public hunters successfully harvest, examples if additional effort include;

(i) extra days above the minimum;

(ii) guided hunts.

(3) CWMUs in an over objective unit will report to the CWMU advisory committee to present a plan of how they will help the unit get back to objective.

Notes

Utah Admin. Code R657-37-10

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2024-17, effective 8/21/2024