Several wildlife-related items in Utah — including some fishing license changes — are among the items you can provide your input about at an upcoming series of public meetings.
You can see all of the items at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings/info/2013-07_rac_packet.pdf. Listed below is a brief summary of some of the items:
Fishing license changes
Young anglers would save some money under fishing license changes the Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing. The changes would also provide the DWR the funding it needs to continue providing quality fishing opportunities in the face of rising operational costs.
Right now, an angler who turns 14 must buy the same license adults buy. The DWR is proposing a separate license for young anglers. Instead of buying a license for $26, anglers between 14 and 17 years old could buy a 365-day license for $16.
The DWR is also recommending an increase in the cost of a 365-day fishing license for those 18 to 65 years old. If approved, a fishing license for those 18 to 65 years of age would increase from $26 to $34. A combination license, which allows the holder to fish and hunt, would increase from $30 to $38.
A combination license for those 14 to 17 years of age would also be available for $20.
The DWR is also proposing that anglers not be required to buy a separate two-pole permit if they want to fish with two fishing poles. Anyone with a Utah fishing license could fish with two poles at no extra cost.
If approved, the license fee increase would be the first fishing license fee increase in Utah since 2003.
Waterfowl hunt changes
The DWR is also recommending several changes for Utah’s upcoming waterfowl hunt. The changes include holding the state’s Youth Hunting Day on Sept. 28 (one week before the general hunt begins), splitting Utah’s two Canada goose hunting zones into three zones, not allowing hunters to take more than two wood ducks a day and changing motorboat access at the Public Shooting Grounds and Clear Lake waterfowl management areas.
Mountain goat plans, cougar hunt proposals
Mountain goats on the LaSal Mountains in southeastern Utah and Mount Dutton in south-central Utah would be managed under plans the DWR wants your input about.
You can review the plans at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings/info/2013-07_rac_packet.pdf.
The agency’s recommendations for Utah’s 2013 – 2014 cougar hunting and pursuit seasons are also available at the Web page.
Learn more, share your ideas
You can see all of the DWR’s recommendations at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings/info/2013-07_rac_packet.pdf.
After reviewing the recommendations, plan on sharing your ideas at your upcoming Regional Advisory Council meeting. RAC chairs will share the input they receive at the meetings with members of the Utah Wildlife Board when the board meets Aug. 22 in Salt Lake City.
RAC meetings are scheduled for the following dates and times (please note that the location for the Southern RAC has changed) :
Southern Region
July 30
7 p.m.
Belknap Elementary School
510 N. 650 E.
Beaver
Southeastern Region
July 31
6:30 p.m.
John Wesley Powell Museum
1765 E. Main St.
Green River
Northeastern Region
Aug. 1
6:30 p.m.
DWR Northeastern Region Office
318 N. Vernal Ave.
Vernal
Central Region
Aug. 6
6:30 p.m.
Springville Public Library Meeting Room
45 S. Main St.
Springville
Northern Region
Aug. 7
6 p.m.
Brigham City Community Center
24 N. 300 W.
Brigham City
You can also provide your comments to your RAC via email. Email addresses for your RAC members are available at https://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/rac-members.html.
The group each RAC member represents (sportsman, non-consumptive, etc.) is listed under each person’s email address. You should direct your email to the people on the RAC who represent your interest.