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Show WSLEDLDFE Question: Why docs the Wildlife Resources need a license increase. Answer: The Division of Wildlife Resources, the Fish and Game, has been hit like everyone else by inflation. The license schedule has not kept up with the cost of everything from gas to fish feed to uniforms. In addition the legislators of this state feel that those hunting and fishing should pay their own way and have not been willing to increase state appropriations to benefit w ildlife. The Division was appropriated SI 1.2 million for 1979 which consti- tutes less than one tenth of one percent of the budget of the state; this for the management of a resource which over 60 percent of our citizens use by hunting or fishing and which 90 percent use through g activities such as photography. viewing, study, etc. The majority of the money raised was from some form of fee ot tax paid directly by the sportsmen of the state. However, although the state appropriated million dollars, only 59. 6 million was The actually collected. The Fish and Game is at present time in the red financially. To help alleviate the deficit, restrictions have been placed on personnel and many programs have cut or entirely been The Beaver dropped. Fish Hatchery has been closed and a 15 percent cut in fish production has been ordered statewide. offiAH conservation cers are restricted to the number of miles thev can drive, transplant programs for big game have been shelved as well as numberous other SI 1.2 examples. The solution is not simple but basically it is to cut programs and services or to receive more money. Since the legislators seem to resist any increase in state appropriation from the general fund, the only other solution is to in- crease licenses and other fees. Utah has the lowest fee to hunt deer of any of the western states and ranks only seventh in the cost to fish for trout. Similar comparisons can be made for all licenses Since 1937 the cense fees have increased only four times. In 1937 the cost of a combination sold. li- license was S4.00 and has increased to 55.00. and S10.00. 56.00. 518.00 in 1976. If the proposed license increase does take eflicenses fect. fishing will go from S8.00 to 515. 00 and big game licenses from 57.00 to If the license 516.00. increase andor more money from the general fund is not received, more and mroe reduction in our wildlife programs will have to be made. More Protection for Eagles The Supreme Court overturned a lower court and made it ilto sell Indian headdresses and other objects made with feathers legally taken in the past, from birds now federal by protected law. The rules had been challenged by owners, ruling legal dealers and appraisers of American Indian artifacts because they felt the law unconstitutionally took their property. A lower court decision. holding unconstitutional Interior Department regulations enforcing the Eagle Protection Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act. was overturned by the justices of the Supreme Court. The new ruling makes it illegal to take, possess, sell, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase or barter, transport, export or import protected birds. The Eagle Protection Act protects all bald and golden eagles, and the Bird Treaty Migratory Act extends protection to some other birds. The only exception to the new ruling is possession and transportation of prc-Abirds and bird parts. 1980 Hunting Season Dates Rifle FISHING October August October May Bighorn SheepGet Financial Aid Southern Utah's desert bighorn sheep population got a financial boost from Safari Club International (SCI) recently when SCI Utah Chapter President. Clint Judkins presented the Division of Resources Wildlife (DWR) with a check for 54.000. The money has been set aside in a special account to be used for the continuation of bighorn sheep transThe special donaplants. tion was made possible, in large part, due to the efforts of Jim Guymon a biologist (Parowan). for DWR, stationed in Cedar City. Safari Club International is an organization deeply involved in conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat, conservation education, general ecology and "protecting the hunter." SCI President. C.J. McElroy. said in a recent speech that "We (SCI) are the game animal's best friend; we pay for conservation and protection of the herds. The organization backs up 18 16 1 31 its stated goals with money. The 54.000 donation came from the Utah Chapter of SCI and the national SCI organization. Guymon contacted the Utah Chapter several months ago and presented a program explaining the divisions bighorn sheep transplant project and its present status. Many animals have been reintroduced into formerly inhabited areas of southern Utah since 1973 when the DWR began transplant efforts, but increasing constantly costs associated with the project (particularly the cost of contracting helicopter time which is vital to the success of the project) have threatSCI ened its future. raised the money to help the Division continue its efforts to increase bighorn populations in Utah. Guymon said he was extremely pleased with decision to help. "Transplanting sheep SCI's is a very positive manage- ment effort. To date, we Utah Employees to Receive Back have put sheep only in locations they once inhabited historically. Since desert bighorns are a fairly rare animal we feel particularly good about our successes in helping to expand their range and their population in Utah." Guymon said. He added. "The donation from SCI is an example of how sportsmen and and do participate in wildlife conservation. Many orsay they ganizations care about wildlife but, as has been the case for many years, real sportsmen are willing to put their money to work on project which help conserve habitat and which directly help to propagate wildlife populations." Safari Club International has also participated in other conservation projects throughout the United States-buyi- ng bighorn sheep habitat in California, supporting construction of guzzlers for desert bighorn, help-in- t moose to in Colorado, creation of deer and alligator habitat in Florida and many other similar projects. Wages The a news Progess received release from the U.S. of Department Labor regarding seven Utah workers who a total of 5866.17 in back w ages. Two of these people arc-owe- arc in our area: Pease. Fillmore; and Roy Jim- my Mitchell, Meadow. These wages were collected for them by previous employers, usually for not paying the legal Federal minimum or overtime rates, according to Doyle Lover-idgadminregional istrator of Employment Standards in Denver. The missing employees arc no longer at the last address or telephone number they provided their employers. and letter and calls to inform e DEER: Archerv ELK: Open bull FISHING: Division of Wildlife Resources Director, Douglas Day 2nd from left accepts $4,000 check from Clint Judkins, President of Safari Club International, Utah Chapter. Also attending presentation were Jim Guymon left. Wildlife Biologist from Parowan, Utah, and Safari Club Secretary Don Isgar right. them of their back wages to reach have failed them. These people should contact the office of Loren Gilbert, assistant administrator. regional Wage and Hour division. Room 1408 Federal Office Bldg.. 1961 Stout Street. Denver. Colorado. 90296. telephone 303 Letters are calls. over preferred should The workers social their provide and number security names and addresses of past employers as proof of identity, also and address current 837-461- 3. phone. Sunflower seeds are a good source of protein. |