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Show Legislative action puts Utah tradition at risk unng the last week of the legislature. House Bill 361 quietly slipped both houses and was sent to the Gov emor tor his signature The bill, which took effect immediately upon signing by the Governor, eliminated the selling of lifetime hunting and fishing licenses in the state ot Utah It docs not affect current lifetime license holder, The bill was introduced by Stephen M Bodily on Feb. 8 Few people, outside of the legislature, were aware ot the bill, although some who heard about it through the grapevine managed to get the Division ot Wildlife to purchase a lifetime license before they were eliminated Apparently, some ot those w ho made sure they got their license were workers and legislators at the State Capitol Building With the removal of the lifetime license, the door is wide open to increase the cost of hunting deer in Utah and limiting the number ot people who can hunt Current lifeume license holders will not be affected by these changes They are exempt from increased license fees, and by law are guaranteed deer tags every year, regardless of new regulations. For the legislature to increase license fees or limit hunter numbers, they had to eliminate the one loophole in the system With the passing of House Bill 361. that loophole is closed One can argue the merits of limiting hunters and increasing the cost of deer tags With the deer herds in a depleted condition, limiting hunUng may be the best way to help the herds rebound. fe although our mild winter and a dry spring could help increase the sie of the herds substantially The alarming trend is the increase in the cost of deer tags, and hunters can plan on seeing An increase next year It stands to reason that it you decrease the numbers of hunters by one half, then you must double the cost ot a tag to receive the same amount of revenue Some deer hunters have said that they would be willing to pay $30. $50 or even $100 to have better hunting in the state As an avid hunter. I suspect I would be willing to pay the increase But my concern is not for those established hunters who have a lifelong love ot the sport We are succumbing to short range thinking when we ignore those who will be turned away by the seemingly high cost For the hunting tradiuon to continue in this country, it must be taught and passed on from generation to generation If the pnee is too high, we will prevent new hunters from joining our ranks I have two sons that are old enough to hunt. Each is interested in the outdoors and in hunting and fishing In the past, they have worked and saved money to buy a hunting license and a deer tug This year, it cost them $19 to go hunting The nlle hunt was shortened to seven days, but with school, they really only had one Saturday to hunt For the three of us to go hunting, we put out $57 just for licenses. To some this is nothing, but to a and a $19 is a lot of pulled weeds and flipped hamburgers If warmer weather of the last days has given people a case of spring fever, along with the urge to get out and wet their flyline With the warmer weather the streams and rivers around here look like chocolate milk by So where is some good fishing? Iceoff is just around the corner on many of Utah's lower lakes and reservoirs, and Clear Lake (just outside of d Buhl, Idaho) remains ice free due to being a spring-felake with a constant temperature in the s is a great time to get out the float tube and fins. The trout will strike at just about any well presented fly, after spending the winter m year-roun- d mid-50- Ice-o- months not seeing anything moving at all! Be prepared for some arrrvjolt-in- g strikes' Stop by Trophy Flyfishers or call for the most uptodate information on float tubing hot spots. 298-559- 3 West Bountiful Baseball Season Starts May 3rd SIGN-U- P AT THE West Bountiful City Hall v 550 North 800 West Sat., March Sat., March 602 W. 800 So., Bountiful 292-133- 1 EMISSION TEST Garner Insurance Concepts A 12th 19th 10:00-2:0- 9 10:00-2:0- 0 Late Fee of $5.00 will be charged COST Lee Garner Representing Republic Insurance Great American Midland Mutu.il Most Cars and Lt. Trucks Reg. $24.00 Except Dual Fuels ' Off zr;Inspections done while you wait MUSTANG BRONCO ROYS & STATE INSPECTION Suite D Bear River Mutual Preferred Companies Preferred Service Preferred Clients go hunUng There are many who will say that $50 is nothing, and hunting is worth it. but I suspect there are numerous families whose budget wont accommodate $50, $90 or $150 for deer licenses. Higher pnccs will put fewer hunters in the field, and fewer people growing in the Amencan tradition of hunUng. As the number of hunters decreases, the cost of licenses will continue to increase to try and maintain adequate revenue for game management. Decreasing the number of hunters will also decrease the funds that come from excise taxes that are associated with the purchase of sporting goods. As less hunting items are purchased less taxes will be collated and returned to the state for wildlife assis The 1 AFTER THE ABOVE DATES. I1QIY1E Bountiful, Utah 84010 to 30 or 50 dollars for hunters. Perhaps a deer tag for someone under the age of 8 should be halt the cost of a regular tag. This would allow teenagers the opportunity to experience the sport and develop their interests. They wont reject hunting merely on the grounds that it costs too much. Hunters should develop long-terworking relationships with other outdoor groups, and work to benefit everyone who enjoys the outdoors. There is strength in numbers, and the voices of those who enjoy the outdoors, regardless of their area of interest, must be heard. Finally, hunters can take an interest in teaching youth about the sport. Hunter safety should be encouraged. Gun safety should be taught to everyone who might come in contact with a firearm. The hunting tradition, which has been passed down for generations, doesnt need to die because of high pnees and lack of interest But if it is to be saved, it must be done by those who enjoy hunUng. NO REQUESTS FOR TEAMS WILL BE HONORED LIFE 298-597- 7 pnee is raised the fag and license, I suspect that my sons will not be interested in paying the pnee to AUTO jpn 1610 South Main the tance In the end, we will have created a downward spiral where fewer and fewer people can affonl to hunt, or because of cost, will have no opportunity to develop an interest in hunting. Hunting may becoroi- - a' it has in Europe and elsewhere, a nch r ,m's sport Games will be managed on private snooting grounds for those who can afford to pay the pnee, and public lands will have little wildlife management because there will be few funds to pay for the service. There are soluuons which dont have to lead to this bleak picture Over the next year, we must convince the legislature that hunUng is one of the largest industnes in the state and its management should receive adequate funding from the state budget. The cost of service provided by the Division of Wildlife that are not related to hunting and fishing should be paid for out of general tax revenues. The division did receive additional budget this year, but it was minimal compared to the cuts the Division has received in the past The funds will hardly cover the revenue lost from decreased license sales. In structuring license fees for hunting, consideraUon should be given to first Ume 1st K - MUSTANG 2ND-3R- BRONCO 4TH-- 6 $28.00 $35.00 $35.00 D c.nis If you have any questions please contact: Dan Poppe 292-325- 3 K - 3rd BRONCO 3rd-- 6 3rd grade girls can play either or Bronco i |