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Show Page March PROPOSED ELK HUNTING CHANGES Two major elk hunting changes would happen if proposed updates to Utah's five-year Elk Management Plan are approved. There would be: • fewer chances in the future to hunt bull elk on limited-entry units. • more chances to hunt spike bull elk in Utah. You can see all of the changes the Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing on our Web site. After reviewing the proposed changes, you can share your ideas one of two ways: RAC meetings Five Regional Advisory Council meetings will be held across Utah. Citizens representing the RACs will take the input received at the meetings to the Utah Wildlife Board. Board members will consider the input they receive as they approve the final plan. They'll approve the plan at their March 31, 2010 meeting in Salt Lake City. You can participate and provide your input at any of the following meetings (please note that the Northeastern RAC is meeting on a Monday): • Southern Region, March 16, 7 p.m., Beaver High School, 195 E. Center St., Beaver Older bulls One thing the DWR learned is that hunters who draw a Utah limited-entry permit want to take a bull that has large antlers. "Taking a bull with large antlers is very important to limitedentry hunters," says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the DWR. Utah already has a lot of big bull elk, including the world-record bull taken in 2008. To ensure there are plenty of big bulls in Utah in the future, the committee recommended that the DWR manage some of the state's limited-entry units so hunters take bulls that are even older than those they're currently taking. Utah's limited-entry units are managed so the average age of the bulls hunters take fall into one of four age categories. The age objective the units are managed under, and the objectives they would be managed under if the updates are approved, are as follows: Current categories •3-4 years old (3 units) •4-5 years old (4 units) •5-6 years old (18 units) •6-7 years old (6 units) Proposed categories •4.5-5 years old (8 units) •5.5-6 years old (13 units) •6.5-7 years old (4 units) •7.5-8 years old (6 units) Even though the age objectives would go up, the bulls' ages on many of Utah's elk units are already higher than the new objectives. So permit numbers will likely continue to increase until the average age falls to the objective. Once the average age falls to the new objective, though, the number of permits would have to be reduced to keep the bulls at the objective. "Growing older bulls comes with a price," Aoude says. "Once units reach the new age objectives, we'll have to reduce the number of limited-entry permits to remain at the objective. If too many bulls are taken, the average age of the animals will fall below the new, higher age objective." For example, if Utah's elk herds were meeting the current age objective— which calls for slightly younger animals than the new objective calls for— the DWR could issue about 2,300 permits each season. Under the new age objective—which calls for older animals—the DWR could issue only about 2,000 permits. More spike permits While the number of limited-entry bull elk permits might eventually go down, the number of general spike bull elk permits could go up over the next five years. Raising the number of general spike bull permits to 13,750 is another update the committee suggested. (Currently, 12,500 permits are offered.) Then, if fewer than 20 percent of the spike hunters take a bull during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, the permit cap would be raised to 15,000 permits for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons. "Our survey shows that spending time with family and friends is the most important part of the hunt for general-season elk hunters," Aoude says. Aoude says raising the number of spike bull permits would accomplish two things. "First, it would provide more elk hunters with a chance to hunt," he says. "Second, it would benefit the elk herds by reducing the overall number of bulls. Right now, the number of bulls per 100 cows is higher than it should be." DOG VACCINATION CLINIC March 25th, 2010 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at the Triple C Arena. Panguitch City dog tags will also be available to purchase during the clinic. ADVERTISE INSIDER 676-2621 to place ads. Barnett's RH:SrSIDEaLINES By Mack Oetting BRYCE VALLEY WINS! BRYCE VALLEY WINS! BRYCE VALLEY WINS! OH MY, BRYCE VALLEY WINS! Panguitch was so excited about Bryce Valley winning State that they gave them an escort through town, with all the fire engines, ambulance and sheriff running their red lights and sirens. The mighty Mustang's brought their A game to State and made history. The 2010 State lA champs, brought home the first State Championship of any kind to Bryce Valley. The Cinderella team of the tournament stepped up when it counted, and defeated a heavily favorite Piute team. Piute won a great game against the 1# team in the State, Rich, 59-57. The score wasn't that close, with Rich scoring 5 points in the last 15 seconds. BV got into the finals by defeating Monticello 57-52; Monticello was the team that beat us in overtime. The green machine was led by the Roundy brothers, Kace and Kam, but it was a total team play that made them State Champs. The team that won the Championship was the same team that beat us at our Homecoming by 15 points. Panguitch Bobcats also had a great tournament beating Intermountain Christian 46-35. The Cats trailed at half time by 7, only to have Brooks Leach come alive and save the day with 22 points and 12 rebounds. We lost the next game to Monticello in overtime. Eric Frandsen had one of his patented dunks to tie the game at 47, we had the ball with 15 seconds to go but had two shots rim out that would have giving the Cats a victory. The referees took over too many of these games with all of their calls; too many of the star players were fouled out. The referees weren't one sided in this, but every game I attended, there were at least 10 fouls called in each half The Cats lost Brooks to fouls in their game against Monticello, and in overtime we only scored 2 points. Brooks had set up his tent and started a fire when he was run into and called for a blocking foul. We played Tabiona Friday night and beat them by 7. Tabiona did something I had never seen before; when their star player Robbie Giles shot free throws, their team didn't put anyone on the line for the rebounds. He made 12 free throws with out missing, so I guess they knew what they were doing. Saturday the Cats played a team I had never heard of, Liahona, and came away with an easy win for 5th place in State. Three of the teams from region 20 were in the top 5. Let's look at what region 20 has done this year. Panguitch Bobcats took baseball, Piute Thunderbirds took Boys cross country, Panguitch's Lady Cats took volleyball, Piute's Ladybirds were 2nd, Piute Lady Thunderbirds crushed the competition to take basketball and now the mighty green machine takes the basketball tournament. The only event that region 20 didn't win was girls cross country. Troy Norris reported that Trac, at a meet in Las Vegas, involving 6 colleges, took 2nd place in 3000 meter steeple chase, this was his first attempt at this race. Chase Englestead running at large was 3rd in this race. Trac finished 5th in the 400 meters hurdles, this was his first attempt at this distance, high school only runs 300 meters. Well, Pat Dix old friend, nobody can take your place in writing this column but I did my best. Where did the year go? I'll report on track when it starts. ORTHODONTICS www.bracesbybarnett.com Toll Free 1-888 BRACE ME 201 QUILT WALK STATUE DINNER 8 2ND SETTLEMENT BIRTHDAY PARTY Saturday, March 20, 2010 Fair Building from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Cost: Donation to Statue RSVP REQUIRED - Donna Osborn - 676-2431 Help us raise money for a Playground at the Basketball Complex! Come and join the Fun! Friday, March 26, 2010 Panguitch High School Gym Elementary age division starting at 1:00 PM. Age Groups: Elementary • Middle School • High School • Adult Sign-up sheets available at: Panguitch Elementary School Panguitch Middle School Panguitch High School Panguitch City Office Bring the whole family for a fun time! Concessions will be sold. Any questions call Paula Palmer 691-4913. ASK A SPECIALIST: DO YOU HAVE TIPS FOR RECONNECTING IN MARRIAGE? Answer by: Naomi Weeks, USU Extension family and consumer sciences Our closest relationships can bring both joy and challenges. In fact, most relationships have approximately 12 things both parties disagree on at any given time. But what is more important than the struggles is what the couple does to build the relationship and reconnect. When we focus on the things that are going right in our relationships, we can more easily conquer the struggles we may face as a team. Consider these tips to reconnect and build a stronger marital relationship. • Listen to your partner every day. Sometimes we think we are being good listeners, but in reality, we are more rejecting than receiving. Listening is often about seeking connection with someone rather than giving advice or solving problems. Even if we ask for advice, we are often just seeking to be understood and validated. So, the next time your partner is sharing his or her thoughts with you, listen carefully to what is being said, not just to the words but to what is important to him or her and why. • Laugh with your partner. When we were kids, we laughed 200 to 300 times a day, but the average adult laughs only12 to 14 times per day. When we lose humor in our relationship, we may get too wound up and lose sight of the bigger picture. It is important to see humor in one another and in challenging moments. For good mental health, we are told to have five belly laughs a day. It's not only good for our health, but it also strengthens relationships. • Look at your partner. You see the ones you love almost every day but when was the last time you looked at them deep in their eyes and really connected? Look in your partner's eyes for about 30 seconds, be in the moment and pay close attention to his or her facial expressions. Look at the person as a whole, for who they really are, and not for what frustrates or hurts you. When you really connect with someone, you feel it deep inside and it also literally stimulates the brain, not to mention it helps you feel closer. • Touch daily. Physical touch is good for your health. Shoot for five hugs a day. Many of these will probably be from your partner, but they can also be from kids or others who are close. Touch could also be in the form of holding your partner's hand while watching TV, giving them a kiss hello or goodbye or touching them on the shoulder or hair while walking by to acknowledge them. When we touch someone, we let them know they are important to us and it builds our relationship. By practicing these simple tips on a daily basis, we exercise our relationship muscles so that we continue to grow together rather than letting our relationship atrophy. Reconnecting doesn't have to take a lot of time or money, but making investments every day can make a huge difference in the marital relationship and also in general happiness and satisfaction in life. |