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SALT LAKE CITY Archers can hunt buck deer statewide during Utah ^s 2001 general season.
That change, and moving Utah ^s general buck deer permit application period to January, are among a number of big game hunting changes the Utah Wildlife Board approved at its Nov. 16 meeting in Salt Lake City.
The board approved rules for Utah ^s 2001 and 2002 seasons. The rules can be found in Utah ^s 2001 Big Game Proclamation, which should be available by late December.
"Having a two-year proclamation will provide a little more consistency for our hunters," said Steve Flinders, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "CThey ^ll know the rules and season dates for the next two years."
Statewide General Archery Deer Hunt Opportunity
Archers who draw a 2001 general archery buck deer permit can hunt statewide next year. Utah ^s general archery deer hunt will run Aug. 18 - Sept. 14, 2001, one week longer than this year.
The Division of Wildlife Resources proposed the statewide archery opportunity as it looked for ways to provide hunters as much hunting opportunity as possible, without adversely impacting the state ^s herds.
"We felt we could allow archers some additional opportunity because they have fairly low success rates, and there aren ^t many archers in the state," Flinders said.
During the general archery seasons in 1997, 1998 and 1999, archers took an average of about 2,000 buck deer each season. By comparison, rifle hunters took an average of almost 24,000 deer each of those seasons.
January General Buck Deer Application Period
To allow hunters as many chances to obtain a general buck deer permit as possible, the board approved two application periods.
Hunters will get their first crack at a permit in January, as the first application period will be held Jan. 3 - 31, 2001. Results of the first draw will be posted by April 30.
Hunters who don ^t obtain a permit in the first draw may apply May 1 - 21 for any remaining permits. Results of the second draw will be posted by June 18.
Any permits left over after the June drawing will be available, over-the-counter, beginning July 26.
Also beginning July 26, any nonresident general buck deer permits not taken by nonresidents will be available to Utah residents.
"This system allows hunters numerous opportunities to obtain a permit but I would advise them to apply in the first draw, if they ^re really interested in a permit for a specific region," Flinders said.
For the first time, hunters may apply for a general buck deer permit on-line in 2001 by visiting the Division ^s Internet web site at www.nr.state.ut.us/dwr/dwr.htm
Extra Week Added To General Archery Elk Hunt
In addition to adding an extra week to Utah ^s general archery buck deer hunt, the board also added an extra week to the state ^s general archery elk hunt.
Utah ^s 2001 general archery elk hunt will run Aug. 23 - Sept. 14.
Moving the end of the general archery elk hunt into mid-September will take one week away from limited entry elk hunters but Flinders said they should still enjoy good success because the peak of the elk rut happens towards the end of the month.
"Right now most of the elk taken during limited entry hunts are taken at the beginning, or in the middle, of the hunt," Flinders said. "CTaking that first week away may shift hunters to hunting towards the end of the hunt, when hunting is actually better."
Youth Hunters Must Obtain a Rifle or Muzzleloader Permit To Hunt All Three Seasons
Hunters who ^ll be 18-years-old or younger on Aug. 18, 2001 must purchase a rifle and muzzleloader permit if they ^re interested in hunting all three general buck deer seasons in 2001.
Youths are allowed to hunt all three seasons until they take a deer, at which point their deer hunting ends for the year.
"We can ^t allow youths to purchase an archery permit and hunt all three seasons because archery permits are now statewide permits, and rifle and muzzleloader hunting is not allowed statewide," Flinders said.
Youths who purchase a rifle or muzzleloader permit may hunt buck deer statewide during the archery hunt. During the muzzleloader and rifle hunt, they must hunt in the region they obtained a permit for.
For more information call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office, or the Division ^s Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.
Contact: Mark Hadley, DWR Media Specialist (801) 538-4737
Uploaded: 11/20/2000
Uploaded: 11/20/2000