Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The board that makes the final decisions on wildlife activities such as hunting and fishing, as well as how wildlife are managed, is seeking two people to replace a pair of outgoing members.
The seven-member Utah Wildlife Board will lose its chair, Byron Bateman, and Donnie Hunter. Their six-year appointment will run out on Aug. 1. The two have served the northern and southern regions respectively since 2015.
As a result, the Utah Department of Natural Resources will open up the application process next week. It's up to Gov. Spencer Cox to approve the final appointment of the two new members and the state senate to confirm the appointees, but officials for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources say anyone can apply to serve on the board.
The board is required to have at least one member from five regions of the state: northern, southern, northeastern, southeastern and central. Since Bateman and Hunter represented regions that will still have representation, Utahns from all parts of the state can apply.
A college degree isn't required but those who want to apply are expected to have experience or expertise in wildlife management/biology, habitat management, business (including private land issues) or economics (including recreational wildlife uses).
Members of the board discuss and decide on all sorts of wildlife items, including proposed changes to specific hunts or plans to protect certain wildlife.
"To serve on the board, you need to have a strong interest in wildlife and wildlife management in Utah. You also need to be committed to serving and representing the people of Utah," said Staci Coons, DWR's Wildlife Board coordinator.
Neither six-year position is paid and board members aren't employees for the division — although per diem and expenses may be compensated.
Beginning on Monday, Utahns interested in the job will have two months to apply. Submissions will close on March 31. The applications can be found here.
A Utah Wildlife Board nominating committee will review all applications and forward recommendations to Cox for final approval.
