Major big game hunting changes could happen in 2011

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The time of year when you can hunt deer and elk in Utah might change in 2011. Several months ago, the Utah Wildlife Board directed the state’s wildlife agency to give big game hunters more hunting options to choose from, and to reduce crowding among hunters who are in the field.
The ideas the Division of Wildlife Resources has come up with wouldn’t be implemented until the 2011 hunts. But the changes are big enough that the DWR wants to get the ideas out now so there’s plenty of time for interested citizens to comment.
Rules for the 2011 hunts will not be approved until November 2010. “The ideas we’ve come up with would give hunters some new options,” said Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the DWR.
Interested citizens can learn more about the DWR’s ideas and provide input and suggestions at five Regional Advisory Council meetings held across Utah. Citizens representing the RACs will share with the Utah Wildlife Board the input received at the meetings.
Citizens can participate and provide input at any of the following meetings. Note that the Southern Region meeting begins at 5 p.m. and the Central Region meeting will be held on a Thursday.
Meeting Locations
Southern Region
Nov. 3, 5 p.m.
Richfield High School
510 W. 100 S., Richfield
Northern Region
Nov. 10, 6 p.m.
Brigham City Community Center
24 N. 300 W., Brigham City
Southeastern Region
Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m.
John Wesley Powell Museum
1765 E. Main St., Green River
Central Region
Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m.
Springville Junior High
165 S. 700 E., Springville
Northeastern Region
Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m.
Western Park, Room #1
302 E. 200 S., Vernal
Participants may also provide comments to their local RAC via e-mail. E-mail addresses for your RAC members are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings.
The group each RAC member represents (sportsman, non-consumptive, etc.) is listed under each person’s e-mail address. Comments should direct your e-mail to the people on the RAC who represent each person’s interest.
The following are among the ideas the DWR is considering. A calendar that shows when the proposed seasons would be held is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings/info/09-11-03.pdf