[middlefork]

Just an FYI

DWR implements emergency statewide restrictions for shed antler hunting to help protect wintering big game in Utah

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources announced a statewide emergency closure to "shed hunting" Tuesday in an effort to help wintering big game, particularly deer populations.

wildlife.utah.gov

 

[Isuckathunting]

Just an FYI

DWR implements emergency statewide restrictions for shed antler hunting to help protect wintering big game in Utah

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources announced a statewide emergency closure to "shed hunting" Tuesday in an effort to help wintering big game, particularly deer populations.

wildlife.utah.gov

Going to be a huge uptick in flat brim squirrel hunters and snowshoe enthusiast on winter range this season.

I can see the HUSH video now, "FOUND A MASSIVE ELK SET WHILE PLINKING SQUIRRELS"

 

[backcountry]

Glad they are being proactive. Hopefully most folks will abide and those that don't will get citations that sting.

It went against traditional wisdom but we've got evidence now that foot traffic can actually impact wildlife more than motorized traffic so I'm all for such closures.

Here is the scientific evidence, took a few minutes to find the reporting about it from a few years ago:

Effects of Recreation on Animals Revealed as Widespread through a Global Systematic Review

Outdoor recreation is typically assumed to be compatible with biodiversity conservation and is permitted in most protected areas worldwide. However, increasing numbers of studies are discovering negative effects of recreation on animals. We conducted a systematic review of the scientific...

journals.plos.org

 

[Bux n Dux]

It went against traditional wisdom but we've got evidence now that foot traffic can actually impact wildlife more than motorized traffic so I'm all for such closures.

That has to be the dumbest thing you’ve ever said on here. And that’s saying something

 

[PHall]

I've been educating my trail running/hiking/dog walking friends trying to get them to avoid the foothills until spring.

 

[backcountry]

Yeah, most don't realize how impactful it can be on wildlife during the winter and early spring.

I'm not really convinced the non-motorized community has accepted the evidence coming out of studies the last ten years. Being spooked and pushed around this time of year comes at a huge energetic cost during a season in which their food sources are less than ideal. And the evidence seems to show it's the fact foot traffic exists in a space/place for longer that is the biggest factor.

The Wasatch would be a perfect place for a long term study on the subject.

 

[BigT]

I can see the HUSH video now, "FOUND A MASSIVE ELK SET WHILE PLINKING SQUIRRELS"

Hope so! Love it when people self incriminate. Like the TinesUp dude that posted a video of a giant dead head he kept while out shed hunting and posted on Facebook.... Didn't take long to get that one removed.

Seriously though, how is DWR going to enforce this with so few COs? It's literally up to everyone else to report violations and then hope something actually comes of it.

 

[backcountry]

Good news is BLM & USFS can also help. Maybe even some municipalities will get wise given how important hunting is to our communities and state.

 

[BigT]

Good news is BLM & USFS can also help. Maybe even some municipalities will get wise given how important hunting is to our communities and state.

Yeah I think it's helpful in certain parts of the state. I periodically see a BLM rep, but rarely see a USFS ranger. Maybe they'll be more proactive in catching people "poaching" the sheds than they are citing peoples trailers that stay in one spot on National Forest land all summer long.

 

[backcountry]

Sadly the USFS is severely underfunded and understaffed which got worse with the pandemic. I see them some but not enough.

It would be great to see a unified front on this issue though. It's long overdue.

 

[Bux n Dux]

Yeah, most don't realize how impactful it can be on wildlife during the winter and early spring.

I'm not really convinced the non-motorized community has accepted the evidence coming out of studies the last ten years. Being spooked and pushed around this time of year comes at a huge energetic cost during a season in which their food sources are less than ideal. And the evidence seems to show it's the fact foot traffic exists in a space/place for longer that is the biggest factor.

The Wasatch would be a perfect place for a long term study on the subject.

Oh I’d love to see your “evidence”.

 

[Packout]

If they go this route, they should close the winter range WMAs to the public too. No more Timp WMA cross country skiing or dog walks.

 

[MrShane]

Hope so! Love it when people self incriminate. Like the TinesUp dude that posted a video of a giant dead head he kept while out shed hunting and posted on Facebook.... Didn't take long to get that one removed.

Seriously though, how is DWR going to enforce this with so few COs? It's literally up to everyone else to report violations and then hope something actually comes of it.

Amen!
We need to be a protection resource for our Deer and Elk.
Please report any poachers of antlers and let’s get them weeded out of our ranks.

 

[middlefork]

If they go this route, they should close the winter range WMAs to the public too. No more Timp WMA cross country skiing or dog walks.

Is there some reason they can't? Most the ones I'm familiar with farther north all have seasonal closures for everybody.

 

[Bux n Dux]

Is there some reason they can't? Most the ones I'm familiar with farther north all have seasonal closures for everybody.

There’s quite few that are open to public access year round. They just limit the motorized access to certain months

 

[Bux n Dux]

Yeah, most don't realize how impactful it can be on wildlife during the winter and early spring.

I'm not really convinced the non-motorized community has accepted the evidence coming out of studies the last ten years. Being spooked and pushed around this time of year comes at a huge energetic cost during a season in which their food sources are less than ideal. And the evidence seems to show it's the fact foot traffic exists in a space/place for longer that is the biggest factor.

The Wasatch would be a perfect place for a long term study on the subject.

Come on, be a big boy and don’t ignore me. You claim there’s evidence, we need to see it

 

[backcountry]

Is there some reason they can't? Most the ones I'm familiar with farther north all have seasonal closures for everybody.

Isn't the biggest hurdle going to be which wildlife they justify the administrative action upon? Aren't most of the measures currently in place for waterfowl, which are the feds domain already? Do they have policy in place for emergency measures for species under state management?

If they don't have systems in place like that already than there is no way they'll escalate action. It just takes too long for the feds to promulgate policy given the procedure they have to go through.

 

[middlefork]

I'm speaking more to Wildlife Management Areas rather than Waterfowl Management Areas. But it applies to both.

"Each WMA operates according to its own habitat management plan. Some WMAs and portions of WMAs are closed to the public, while others have limited access during certain times of the year. Unlike other public or state-owned lands, WMAs are not multi-use lands, and the types of recreation allowed are limited."

It seems there was quite a discussion during one of the WB meetings concerning bikes and motorized vehicles and I thought they said it was pretty simple. Post a sign with any restrictions. I might be completely off but that was my recollection. They certainly have had no problem closing them to overnite camping when they are having problems.

 

[backcountry]

I forgot about the camping closures. That sort of discretion could likely apply to an emergency closure on a winter like this. Hopefully they are considering it. It would really be a great opportunity for a broad and concerted effort to protect our herds.

*And thanks for clarification, my mind immediately assumed federal wildlife refuges, incorrectly

 

[taxidermist]

I like what they've done with this closure. Best thing I've seen come from the DWR in a while.