Bowhunters of Utah

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere but though everyone might be interested in seeing the proposal that is being put forward to the Wildlife Board from the DWR. Not sure if this has been presented to the board yet but it sounded like some of the members have seen it and there is finally a real chance at making some major changes to Utah's hunt seasons. I'd expect to see the DWR start collecting feedback in the near future to see what kind of support or issues this proposal would have, but I thought it would be interesting to start a discussion on it now and see what everyone thinks.

2010-2014 Hunt Season Proposal

Basically it is going to leave the general archery where it is at for both deer and elk. However the proposal is to move the LE Archery Elk hunt to a fixed hunt date of September 15-24. This would place the LE Archery Elk right in the peak of the rut, but would do so by giving up the longer season archers have typically had. The proposal basically allows all weapons the same amount of time (10 Days) to hunt LE Elk. There are some major changes the the any weapon hunts however. It will consist of 2 separate seasons - Early and Late. You can choose to hunt Deer and Elk in either season or both - allowing rifle hunters greater options and flexibility on the General season dates.

I know that this proposal will most likely have the support of the other bowhunting organizations in the state (UBA) and I don't see any reason for BOU to not support it as well, but let's hear what you think. Is this something you can support? Do you see any room for improvements or possible problems? I am personally interested in hearing everyone's opinion and I know BOU would be as well, so regardless of your membership status with BOU let's hear what you think (Registration is required to post - it's free and does not make you a member of BOU).

I see a couple a major problems.

Option # 1: Le Archery Elk and Le Muzzy Elk share the same seasons.

Option # 2: Le Muzzy Elk got moved to November and the Le Early Rifle elk stayed in Late Sep. thru early Oct.

I don't like that. Either the Archery guys get that shaft by having to share dates with the muzzy guys or the muzzy guys get the shaft by having to hunt in November after everyone else including the Le late rifle elk guys.

I hope I am reading this wrong because it looks like they decided the Muzzy hunt was the problem and are trying to get it out of the way.

Option # 1: not good for archers
Option # 2: not good for Muzzy hunters.

Brandon

Brandon,

Thanks for the response. My initial thoughts actually are quite close to what you are seeing as potential problems.

I do know in the meeting I attended and first saw this was that Option 1 wasn't really that favorable for a few options but mainly because of the shared season. Option 2 was the preferred option and the one that will probably get the most attention. One of the objectives that Option 2 met was everyone had their own season, with minimal overlap of seasons & weapon types. I didn't ever get the impression that Muzzy guys were considered the problem or that they were trying to get pushed out of the rut. Honestly I don't remember the exact reasoning for moving them, but it seemed like it was actually a favorable move for them and resolved another issue the muzzleloader hunt had .

I'd actually be interested to hear from the muzzleloader folks and get their insight as well...

Cameron, I'm glad you were at the meeting, it is always good to get first hand info.

About 10 years ago the LE muzzy hunt was in November. I think that most everybody was okay with the dates. The difference now is that we have a late LE rifle elk hunt that ends the day before the Muzzy hunt starts.

I don't know of any Smokepole hunting groups in Utah that could give us an opinion.

They only get about 15% of the tags as compared to 25% archery and 60% rifle.

If I had to pick between the two options I would support option #2.

Does BOU have and opinion about this????

Brandon

Maybe they could consider putting the LE Muzzy hunt before the LE late any weapon hunt. I not sure it's fair to make the muzzy guys go last. Muzzy guys should have some advantage over any weapon I think.

I would have to say as a bowhunter first, and a member of a group in Utah who fights for bowhunter rights it sounds like Option 2, is the right one. I certainly wouldn't think BOU would want to support a proposal that has bowhunters share a season with Muzzleloaders. Give every LE weapon group there own 10 days.

Not to be blunt, but Bowhunting opportunity comes first in my opinion. As long as the option that is chosen doesn't totally P### off muzzleloaders as a "whole" then that is the best option for bowhunters and the one BOU should support if the board and possibly a vote agrees with that.

I personally would love to see this change happen. I could potentially draw an LE tag in the next couple of years and that would be great if it were later in September. But, the change has to be what is best for bowhunting in Utah.

Nathan

I don't remember the specifics on why the muzzleloader was placed when it was, but I think it is actually a favorable time for them (Migratory season or something). I'll have to do some checking on it further to see why the later season was suggested, but I know that the reason option two was proposed was to give each weapon it's own season, with minimal overlay of competing hunts (spike hunts coinciding with LE hunts for example).

As far as just bowhunting goes, I think Option 2 is the obvious choice - what I'm wondering is can we as archers all get behind it and if not, why?

Few things to keep in mind with option 2 -

1. Every weapon get's their own season, minimal overlap of competing hunts
2. You will have 10 days to hunt, regardless of weapon choice.
3. Archery moved into the Rut (Giving up extended season)
4. Rifle still get's to hunt the rut, although it is the tail end
5. Muzzy is the wild card - not sure if the season dates is considered a favorable change or not...

Has there been talk about regions and statewide archery? I also have yet to see any info on the number of hunters in each region, is that info anywhere?

havnfun wrote:
Has there been talk about regions and statewide archery? I also have yet to see any info on the number of hunters in each region, is that info anywhere?

I don't have the numbers in hand, but the DWR told me that the Central region had 5,000 bowhunters and there were nearly that many in the Southern region. So the numbers don't support any overcrowding. As of last week, the DWR couldn't find a pro-region representative to serve on the committee. I suspect the DWR will recommend the return of statewide archery, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Board will go with their recommendation.

As for the season proposals, I'd assume most bowhunters would favor option #2. From a purely selfish point of view, I'd rather see the archery deer opener a week earlier.

finnegan wrote:
I don't have the numbers in hand, but the DWR told me that the Central region had 5,000 bowhunters and there were nearly that many in the Southern region.

Now I have the actual numbers and the above statement is incorrect. Here they are:

CENTRAL REGION 2564

NORTHEASTERN REGION 2731

NORTHERN REGION 1944

SOUTHEASTERN REGION 3175

SOUTHERN REGION 5600