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- Holding the youth quail hunt on the last Saturday in October through the following Monday
- Extending the youth pheasant season and having it run from the last Saturday in October through the following Thursday
The statewide youth quail and pheasant hunts have been underutilized for years," Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Upland Game Coordinator Heather Talley said. "The youth quail hunt has traditionally been held beginning on the Saturday closest to Oct. 13, and we hope that moving the season dates closer to the general-season opener will increase participation in these hunts. We are also excited about the change to extend the youth pheasant hunt through the first Thursday in November. Many youth hunt on areas where we release pen-reared pheasants, and we would like to give them the opportunity to harvest these birds throughout the week."
The DWR also proposed a rule change to allow airguns as a legal method of hunting for turkeys in the fall season only, as well as for hunting rabbits and hares. The intent of that proposal was to add another legal weapon for hunters to use during these hunts and to create consistency since big game may be harvested with airguns in Utah. However, the proposal was voted down by the wildlife board until airguns can be added to the Pittman-Robertson Act and the associated excise taxes can be used for wildlife conservation (as is the case with firearms and ammunition sales).
Other changes that were approved for upland game and turkey hunting include:
- Extending the Utah Wild Turkey Management Plan for three more years. Because it was originally approved as a six-year plan, it was due for revision or extension this year; however, no significant changes were needed at this time.
- Allowing translocation of sage-grouse broods during the summer (between May 1 and July 31) or any time of the year. Previously, only spring translocations of adults were approved, but this change gives DWR biologists a chance to finish their population counts during the spring when the birds are breeding. Additional flexibility in translocation timing will give biologists more accurate population numbers and stability before birds are relocated from an area to augment a population in another part of the state. This change also allows sage-grouse relocations to include adults and/or chicks to provide the best chance of success for augmenting populations.
- Closing wildlife and waterfowl management areas as needed for DWR-sponsored and co-sponsored youth and beginner pheasant hunts throughout the state.
Other proposals
The DWR oversees a Walk-in Access program in Utah that provides hunters and anglers access to privately held lands and waters for the purpose of hunting, trapping and fishing. The wildlife board approved some rule changes to simplify the program, update administrative procedures, clarify rule requirements and expectations, and expand hunting and fishing opportunities.
The wildlife board also approved a change to clarify the rules for tagging harvested swans. The change states that a hunter can retrieve the carcass prior to tagging it.
The wildlife board also approved a variance request for prohibited species, which would allow for the Great Basin Serpentarium organization, a private organization that DWR has contracted with, to receive and care for reptiles or amphibians that have been confiscated or surrendered in Utah.
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COVID-19
As OUR COUNTRY SLOWLY STARTS to REOPEN AGAIN (from the COVID-19 pandemic) and continue to enjoy outdoor activities, ALL outdoorsmen (man, woman, child) should follow the guidelines set by nps.gov. These guidelines include; social distancing, the Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.
Utah Approves Changes to 2020 Upland Game Hunting Season Dates
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 06/11/20
News # 13628
The Utah Wildlife Board recently approved several changes to upland game and turkey hunting in the state including extensions and changes to some season dates for upland game, as well as a few other items.
- Starting the ptarmigan hunting season on Sept. 1 rather than the fourth Saturday in August (to allow more time for brood breakup prior to hunting and to create consistency with the opening of other upland game seasons)
- Extending the sandhill crane hunting season in the East Box Elder area from nine to 60 days (to reduce crop damage and encourage the birds to migrate sooner)
