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Show Bull Elk Hunt is Underway Utah's big game seasons (.onlinuc to open and taki-hunters taki-hunters afield in search ol success. Open bull elk hunting begins Wednesday, Sept. 29. The hunt continues . through Oct. 17. Early predictions for this year's hunt indicate good chances for hunter success, according to Homer Stapley, assistant chief of Game Management. Man-agement. Stapley said that the open bull elk season should offer equal opportunities as 1975. Stapley added, "Hunters "Hunt-ers are advised to be prepared to take care of the elk harvested. Canvas bags to cover the carcass to protect it from blow flies; and opening up the back between the shoulder blades helps to cool the animal, preventing spoilage. spoil-age. A compact block and tackle to hoist the animal is also helpful. There is no reason for an animal to spoil if these precautions arc taken." In 1975 a total of 17,601 open bull elk permits were sold and 16.652 hunters actually went out in search of elk during the open bull season. There were 1 ,645 bulls harvested for a success ratio of ten percent. Stapley added, "Ten percent success may seem low at first glance, but sportsmen who have hunted elk in Utah's rugged mountains moun-tains know that it is anything but an easy hunt." A total of 17,551 open bull elk permits were sold this year to resident hunters, while 101 nonresident permits were purchased. pur-chased. The largest number were sold in the Salt Lake Office (6,140) with the Central and Northern regions selling 3.932 and 3,625 permits' respectively. The Southeastern Southeast-ern (1,461); Northeastern (1,443); and Southern (950) regions followed. The old Board of Elk Control authorized the first elk hunt in 1925 on the Cache and Mt. Nebo. Elk hunts in Utah were on a limited basis until 1967 when the Board of Big Game Control authorized the first "Open Bull" hunt. This type hunt was in force on five elk units during this initial year. Three additional units were added in 1968 and maintained in 1969. and in 1970 open bull hunting was extended statewide, state-wide, except for the Heaston and Indian Peaks units. The open bull type hunt continues. |