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Show r, f W Page 9 THE GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER OCTOBER 19,2006 T ABOUT HUNTING FEES? im DWR website archive l^r~- AUGUST OPOSED FEE CHANGES \july JO, 2006 •permit. [to apply for a !," says Greg irvices Section ;'s among the states, and we n reasons the TOT big game : climbing for Option 2: In addition to paying the $5 application fee, big game applicants who wanted a bonus point or a preference point would be required to purchase one for $24. Unsuccessful applicants would no longer receive bonus points and preference points for free. Hunters would not have to pay for points that they had accrued in past years. Dplicants con- Option 3: bf permits for Hunters could apply in all five of the jed much. For once-in-a-lifetime draws, and purchase than 50,000 one bonus point for each of the once-in,000 permits. a-lifetime draws and one bonus point for DO people ap- the limited entry draw. The cost for each bonus point would be $ 12 per bonus point. It rmt 13appli- Hunters would not have to pay for points every permit that they had accrued in past years. The i, that number application fee would remain at $5 per speDf 32 applica- cies. In addition to the ideas about big game of the DWR, fee changes, the DWR is seeking input -in-a-lifetime about some additional fee changes. One v difficult to of those changes would require that those Igericy Would ts that it does who don't have a hunting or fishing li10 are willing cense pay a fee to visit the state's wildlife and waterfowl management areas 0 manage the (WMAs). A Watchable Wildlife pass would be provide a reaavailable for $ 10 and would allow the pur1 distribute the chaser access to the state's WMAs for nt to all hunt365 days from the day the pass was purparticipate in chased. The pass would also provide the the rest of the holder access to all of the Watchable Wildg three ideas. life events and festivals in Utah for which ;rsofthepub- a fee is charged to attend. The DWR is also suggesting that a new 3f them or to $5 fishing license be required for 12- and ; ideas of their 13-year-old anglers. "For every license ate about $3.7 sold to these young anglers, the division would collect $14 in federal aid. That ^option): money would then be invested in fish draw or buyhatcheries and other programs that would inters, includmake fishing better in the state," d be required n addition to Karpowitz said. rfor a permit 'To continue managing Utah's wildicense would life effectively, we have to raise more revt small game. enue," Karpowitz said. "If we don't, $17. Instead Utah's wildlife will suffer and so will evhunters could eryone who enjoys wildlife in the state." lation license Other agenda items to fish, In addition to input about the fee ideas, iges: the DWR is also seeking input about some ion raised by additional items. The Utah Wildlife Board Jtah from the is expected to act on the following items inds allocated when it meets in Salt Lake City on Aug. sased license 17: For more information, contact the nearsmall game est Division of Wildlife Resources office uldnotbeaf- or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700. rtltlKllHMgl NOVEMBER HUNTING FEE CHANGES PROPOSED Last modified: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 Fees, fishing and turkey to be discussed at the next round of upcoming RAC meetings. It might cost more or less to hunt and fish in Utah in the future, depending on which licenses you buy. The changes would result from some fee changes the Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing. The fee changes would allow the agency to continue managing Utah's wildlife effectively and provide hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers with some additional services. You can learn more about the DWR's proposals at a series of upcoming public meetings. Fishing rules for Utah's 2007 season, and a proposal to increase the number of wild turkey hunting permits in Utah, also will be discussed. Citizens representing Utah's five Regional Advisory Councils will take the public input received at the meetings to the Utah Wildlife Board when it meets Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City to approve fee changes; and fishing and turkey hunting rules, for 2007. Meeting dates, times and locations are as follows: • Southern Region, Sept. 12,7 p.m., Kanab High School, 59 E. Red Shadow Lane, Kanab •Southeastern Region, Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m., John Wesley Powell Museum, 885 E. Main St., Green River • Northeastern Region, Sept 14,6:30 p.m., Western Park, Rm. # 2,302 E. 200 S., Vernal . Centra! Region, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m. Springville Junior High, 165 S. 700 E.r Springville • Northern Region, Sept. 20,6 p.m., Brigham City Community Center, 24 N. 300 W., Brigham City Fee changes The fee changes the DWR is recommending would be phased in beginning July 1, 2007. "Those who pay a $5 fee to apply in the big game draw each year, but then do not buy any other licenses or permits, would be the ones most affected by the changes," says Jim Karpowitz, director of the DWR. "Those who already buy Utah hunting and fishing licenses would not be affected as much1. In fact, in some cases, they may actually pay less." The DWR is recommending that the price of the following be reduced: Fee decreases Current New Resident combination $34 $30 (allows the holder to hunt and fish) Resident deer permit $40 $35 Resident elk permit $65 $45 (any bull/spike/anterless) Resident turkey permit $40 $35 The DWR is also recommending that the price of the following be increased: Fee increases Current New Resident small game $17 $26 (renamed a hunting license) Nonresident small game $45 $65 (renamed a hunting license) Drawing application fee $5 $10 In addition to the fee changes, the DWR is recommending a major change in how people apply in Utah's hunting draws: Before applying for or buying any hunting permit, all hunters, including big game hunters, would be required to buy a hunting license (this license is currently called a small game license). In addition to allowing the holder to apply for or buy a permit, a hunting license would allow the holder to hunt small game. A hunting license would cost $26. Instead of buying a hunting license, hunters could choose to buy a $30 combination license that would also allow them to fish. The fee to apply in Utah's hunting draws, including the big game draw, would be increased to $10. The application fee is currently $5. In addition to the big game changes, the DWR is proposing the following: Those who don't have a hunting or fishing license would be required to pay a fee to visit the state's wildlife and waterfowl management areas (WMAs). A Watchable Wildlife pass would be available for* $10 and would allow the purchaser access to the state's WMAs for 365 days from the day the pass was purchased. The pass would also provide the holder access to all of the Watchable Wildlife events and festivals in Utah for which a fee is charged to attend. Twelve- and 13-year-old anglers would be required to buy a $5 fishing license. "For every license sold to these young anglers, the division would collect $12 in federal-aid. That money would then be invested in fish hatcheries and other programs that would make fishing better in the state," Karpowitz said. Other agenda items In addition to input about the fee proposals, the DWR is seeking input about some additional items. The Utah Wildlife Board is expected to act on the following items when it meets in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5: DECEMBER HUNTING LICENSE FEES COULD CHANGE IN 2007 Last modified: Wednesday, October 11,2006 Pending approval by the Utah Legislature, the cost to hunt and fish in Utah could change starting in July 2007. Whether you'll pay more or less would depend on the licenses you buy. The Utah Wildlife Board approved the changes at its Oct. 5 meeting in Salt Lake City. The Utah Legislature is expected to act on the changes during its session in February 2007. "We're pleased that the Wildlife Board approved these changes," said Jim Karpowitz, director of the Division of Wildlife Resources. "The added revenue will allow us tc cover some serious budget shortfalls we're facing" and will allow us to continue managing Utah's wildlife effectively. The revenue will also allow us to provide hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers with some additional services they've asked for. 'Those who pay $5 to apply for a big game permit each year, but then do not buy any other licenses or permits, would be the ones most affected by the changes," he said. f Those who already buy Utah hunting and fishing licenses would not be affected as much. In fact, in some cases, they may actually pay less." When changes would happen If approved by the legislature, the changes would not take affect until July 1,2007. Fees would change after July 1 as rules were approved for upcoming hunting and fishing seasons. All hunters must buy a hunting license Another change the board approved is the requirement that all hunters — including big game hunters — buy a hunting license before they apply for or buy any hunting permit. This license is currently called a small game license. If approved by the legislature, it would be renamed a hunting license and would cost Utah residents $26. In addition to allowing the holder to apply for or buy a permit, a hunting license would also allow the holder to hunt small game. Instead of buying a hunting license, hunters could choose to buy a $30 combination license that would also allow them to fish. "Fishing licenses cost $26. Big game hunters who already buy a fishing license would have to pay only $4 more to upgrade to a combination license that would also allow them to apply in the draw and hunt small game," Karpowitz said. Application fee change If approved by the legislature, the fee to apply in Utah's hunting draws, including the big game draw, would increase to $10. |