This past year there were 7,000 new applications submitted for limited-entry hunts. 'Not changing the age classes could result in fewer hunting opportunities in the future, not more.' 'Lowering the age classifications in our elk-management plan will have immediate effect. 'Changing the spike regulations and having a late-November hunt are both long-term fixes,' he continued. Karpowitz also believes this will increase chances for drawing out for a regular limited entry permit because some of those who would typically apply will now shift to the premium draw. The cost will be $508, as compared to $280 currently charged for a limited entry tag, and will allow the purchaser to hunt all three elk seasons - archery, muzzleloader and general rifle. Last session, the Legislature voted for a more expensive premium tag but did not make implementation mandatory.įive percent of the limited entry tags will be sold as premium tags. Utah's season currently falls during the rut in early October.ĭespite some objections, the board also approved a Legislature-approved premium elk tag. Everything else, about 90 percent of the tags, are for the late-season (November) hunt.' The only hunt during the rut is the archery hunt. Everything is limited entry,' he responded. Karpowitz said the committee looked at the way Arizona, considered to be a model for elk-hunt programs, issued permits. The long-term benefit should be more elk and more limited entry permits for hunters in the future.' 'The benefit to hunters is the chance to hunt elk when virtually no one else is afield. 'Fewer elk should be taken (during the November hunt) because this hunt will be held outside of the rut,' he said. About 30 percent of the limited entry rifle permits for 2005 will be used for the late season hunt. To accommodate the late season hunt, the general muzzleloader elk season will start and end three days earlier than it did this year.

'There are plenty of bulls on these units, so offering more permits should not affect bull numbers or the quality of the animals much.'Ī late season rifle elk hunting opportunity will be available away from the rut. 'Lowering these age categories will still allow hunters a chance for a very nice bull but because we'll be managing for a slightly younger animal, we can offer more permits,' Karpowitz said. Units managed under the middle category, which had been 5 to 6 years, will be managed for 4- to 5-year-old bulls, while units managed under the highest category, which had been 7 to 8 years, will be managed for 5- to 6-year-old bulls. It voted to keep the 3- to 4-year age class, but changed the middle and highest categories. The board accepted the committee's recommendations to change the age classes. 'Almost 13,000 hunters participated in the spike bull hunt in 2004.'īull elk on limited entry units are managed under three age class objectives. These elk will carryover and be old, more mature bulls for the following hunt,' Karpowitz said. Also, by shortening the spike-bull hunt, there will be about 10 percent fewer elk killed. 'This will reduce the take of spike bulls and allow more of them to grow into mature animals. The hunter cap on spike bull units has been reduced from 19,000 to 11,000 permits, and the general season on spike units has been shortened from 13 to nine days. The recommendations approved by the board are: 'The committee came up with some great recommendations, and the Division of Wildlife Resources supported those recommendations.'

'The committee worked hard to find ways to allow more people to hunt bull elk on limited entry units without negatively affecting the bull elk population we have,' said Jim Karpowitz, big game coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Sweeping changes will take place with respect to the elk hunting program here in Utah that will, ultimately, increase hunting opportunity, increase chances on special hunts and increase the number of trophy bulls within the state's boundaries. Last week, the Utah Wildlife Board agreed. It is generally agreed that Utah has a good elk management program.Ī study by a 15-person Elk Management Plan Advisory Committee concluded it could be better.

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