The 2011 Spring Newsletter is available now to download by clicking here! This has been delayed due to problems with the printer but will be sent out to all our BOU members soon. Sorry for the delay!
On Dec. 2, the Utah Wildlife Board made a landmark mule deer management decision. The exact meaning and future consequences of that decision are anything but certain. The impact of the decision on deer and deer hunting depends on decisions and actions yet to come.
All that we know for a fact at this point is that the Wildlife Board has set a new statewide buck/doe objective of 18-25 bucks per 100 does on all general season units. The DWR estimates a reduction of 13,000 permits will be necessary to achieve that objective. Effective 2012, all deer hunters will be required to hunt by unit.
Beyond these facts lies uncertainty. There are diverse opinions, ignorance, confusion between biological concerns and social concerns, speculations and magical thinking. Magical thinking is the belief that something is true simply because we want it to be true or that something will happen simply because we say it will happen.
If we continue to set aside all biological data, as was clearly done in this decision, then we have little else to guide us in future management decisions except magical thinking and the same type of emotionalism that has invalidated anti-hunter activism.
While we are disappointed to lose the statewide deer hunting opportunity that we have worked so hard to preserve, it isn’t the end of the world…far from it. But if we are complacent and allow magical thinking to guide future developments in unit management, it will be the end of the world for Utah’s mule deer.
As we have always done, BOU supports the management principles of the North American Wildlife Conservation Model and we call for a return to those principles. We call upon all hunters and the Utah Wildlife Board to be guided by this model in an ongoing development of unit management that will indeed benefit mule deer.
The North American Wildlife Conservation Model
Endorsed by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies The 7 Basic Principles (The Seven Sisters)
Wildlife is a public resource.
Markets for wildlife must be eliminated.
Wildlife must be allocated by law.
Wildlife can only be killed for a legitimate purpose. “The Code of the Sportsman”
Wildlife is an international resource.
Science is the proper tool for the discharge of wildlife policy.
“Promoting responsible bowhunting through education”
In a meeting with members of the BOU board on June 13, the Division of Wildlife Resources unveiled innovations in Utah’s bowhunter education program.
There are 3 types of bowhunter education in Utah. First, there’s a brief overview included in the mandatory hunter education program. Second, there’s an online ethics course that’s prerequisite for bowhunters who want to hunt in Utah’s extended areas. Neither of these programs is affected by changes to the third program - the NBEF bowhunter education program administered in Utah by the DWR.
Completion of the NBEF course is mandatory for all bowhunters in a number of states, but Utah isn’t one of them. Still, the course is valuable and important. Not only can it reduce wounding rates and improve bowhunter success, but it’s an enjoyable and informative course for both novice bowhunters and experienced veterans of the sport.
In the past, the program has gathered approximately 150 instructors in the state. Yet course offerings have been sporadic or even non-existent in some areas. And while many of the existing certified instructors (including several members of BOU) have been highly qualified and passionate about promoting bowhunting, other certified instructors have had little or no experience as bowhunters.
To improve access to quality instruction, the DWR has voided all existing instructor certifications and set new minimal requirements for future instructors:
All instructors must recertify.
Instructors must pass the new NBEF “distance learning” online course before attending instructor training.
Instructors must pass a criminal background check.
Instructors must have a minimum of 3 years bowhunting experience.
Instructors must offer or assist in at least one course each year.
Instructors must attend 2 program semiUtah/NBEF Bowhunter Education
We strongly encourage qualified bowhunters to support this new program by becoming certified NBEF instructors and by encouraging others in your area of the state to do likewise. The DWR will provide local training sessions. For more information and to apply to become an instructor, visit the DWR website. If you have other questions or concerns, feel free to contact
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, BOU Bowhunter Education specialist.
The Utah Chapter of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry have been asked by the city of Bountiful and the Division of Wildlife to participate in the culling of the Bountiful city deer herd. While there are many opinions on this subject, the bottom line is putting the meat on the table of those who need it most just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The plan is to start culling deer immediately and taking them to Arnold’s Meats in Ogden for processing. Once the meat is processed the meat will be picked up by the Bountiful food pantry who will then distribute the meat to those in need in Davis County. The Utah Chapter of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry will do all that it can to provide the processing costs. At this point the Utah Chapter only has $1500 in their account to get started. That is only enough to process 37 of the estimated 300 deer the DWR is planning to take.
The Utah Chapter of FHFH is asking for all those who can afford just $40 to help process one deer that will end up on the table of someone who really needs it. Every $40 will add up and help us reach our goal of $12,000 by the end of the year. I would ask that each of you take the time to ask your employer if they are willing to donate to this cause. Holly Refining and Marketing has already donated $1500 to get us started on this process. All those companies who donate a substantial amount will be noticed on banners, flyers, and any materials we print out. All donations can be written off on your taxes and a receipt will be sent to you for tax purposes.
To donate, please send a check written out to FHFH with UT-01 in the memo portion of the check to Kelly Bingham at the address below. You may also go to www.fhfh.org and donate there just make sure to choose the Utah Chapter as the Chapter you are donating to.
Tune in to Backcountry Radio with Brian Brinkerhoff on KTKK 630 AM this Saturday at 10:00 AM to hear the interview about this project. Stay tuned to Roughin it Outdoors with Adam Eakle as he does a story to help us get things rolling in the next few weeks.
I want to thank all those hunters who have donated money and/or deer in the past. Since 2006 the Utah Chapter has been able to donate over 25,000 pounds of meat to the food banks of Utah. This equates to over 100,000 meals served with meat in it from the hunters of this state. That is a tremendous feat and one that all hunters should be proud of.
Thank you for your consideration and may God Bless,
Kelly Bingham Program Coordinator Utah Chapter FHFH 4662 W 650 N West Point, UT 84015 801-726-2598
What a great day! We would like to extend our appreciation
to all who made this year’s BOU convention a great success! Saturday June 26th
proved to be the best convention in BOU history thanks to the UDWR, BOU
officials and lastly, but definitely not leastly
(I know, but it just sounded so nice) this years attendees who made it all
possible.
We had a great day on the newly constructed 3D/target range
with an open shoot as well as a free kids shoot, great food provided by
renowned executive grill chef, Gordy Bell and a raffle to beat all raffles. If
you missed this one, you missed out on a chance for quite a few prizes
including a shoulder mount taxidermy for this years wall hanger, a beautiful
custom long bow provided by Mike Bird, a slew of items donated by Camp Chef,
backpacks by King’s and Badlands, as well as a beautiful custom fly rod
provided by BOU’s own, Kelly Hicks.
Below are a few photos of this year’s festivities. Thanks
again to all who participated and added to the success of this year’s convention.
We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming shoots at Hill Archers on the 31st
of July and the “in the making” shoot at the BOU sponsored Hidden Lakes 3D
range in Bountiful. Stay tuned!
