DWR proposes changes to Utah pheasant hunt

DWR proposes changes to Utah pheasant hunt

(Division of Wildlife Resources)


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THE GREAT OUTDOORS — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists are recommending a few changes to the fall pheasant hunt and are asking for the public’s feedback.

The rules for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 hunts are almost identical to the pheasant hunting rules that have been in place since 2014, according to DWR; however, several minor changes have been recommended for the upcoming 2017 hunt.

Hold a statewide general pheasant hunt

With this change, the hunt would start on the first Saturday in November and end on the first Sunday in December, wildlife officials said. The hunt would be open on both public and private land in Utah. In the past, a chance to hunt for 30 days was only available on public land and the private land hunt ended after 14 days.

“The change would make it easier to know when the hunt begins and ends,” wildlife upland game coordinator Jason Robinson said in a news release. “Anything we can do to make hunting rules easier to understand — while ensuring wildlife remain protected — is a good thing.”

The change would also give those who have written permission to hunt on private property more days to hunt, he said.

Close 2 areas to everyone but younger hunters for 1 day

Another proposal is to close the Pahvant and Annabella Wildlife Management Areas on Nov. 11 to everyone except hunters who are 17 years of age or younger and adult hunters who have never hunted pheasants before.

“We want to give young hunters and adults who have never hunted pheasants before a chance to get out and have a great experience,” Robinson said in the news release. “Recruiting new hunters is vital to the future of wildlife conservation in Utah.”

Change the sandhill crane hunt time in Uintah County

The last proposal is to change the sandhill crane hunt in Uintah County from September to October. Wildlife officials said October is the month when sandhill crane numbers reach their peak in Uintah County. The change would ensure that hunters have more opportunities to harvest the birds.

The public can share their opinions on the new proposals by either attending a public Regional Advisory Council member meeting or by emailing the council member who oversees their area. Information about the meeting times and the contact information for the council members can be found on the DWR website.

After receiving feedback, the Regional Advisory Council chairmen will meet with the Utah Wildlife Board on June 1 to approve the hunting rules for the next three pheasant hunting seasons in Utah.

Editor’s note: The content in this article was taken from a press release sent out by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. This is not information gathered by KSL.com reporters.

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