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Show Good Elk Hunt Predicts DWR The 1982 open area bull elk season which opens throughout the state on September 29 should be about the same as last year accordingto Grant Jense, big game program coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources of the Utah Department of Natural Resources and Energy. Most herds in the state have been slowly, but steadily, improving over the last few years with a few of the areas remaining static. The major factor this year, as with other years, will be weather conditions near the September 29 opener. The moisture we've received so far this month means plenty of waterholes and thick green vegetation giving way to scattered elk herds and mud. About 2,000 more open area bull elk permits were sold this year than last which will increase the number of hunters to about 19,800, according to Jense. The Board of Big Game Control authorized about the same number of restricted area permits this year in 1981. To help make the lek hunt a safe and good hunt, huinters should consider a few points before they leave home. Much con sideration shoufd be given to proper preparation for such a hunt. The number one consideration should be preparing for potential weather conditions Including rain, snow, ice, mud and cold. The weather at the top of the mountain can be quite different than the weather left behind in the valley. Before you go hunting, think about bringing a 225- to 450-pound animal off the mountain. Normally these animals are not shot on the road and require skinning, quartering and hauling long distances by foot. Prepare the necessary equipment to perform these tasks before hand so your hunting trip can be that much more enjoyable. Even in cold weather, it is necessary to quarter an animal of this size. An elk is too large to just hang in a tree. An elk should be skinned, quartered, and hung to cool properly. Elk hunters are reminded that several good hunting areas especially in the northern part of the state are closed to trespass or are available to hunting by permission only. John Kimball, northern regional game manager, For the first of its kind event in the Panguitch LDS Stake, last weekend's Well Fair considered a Utah Department of Transportation road crew, from the Panguitch shed work as a team to tackle says areas of great concern are the Morgan and Rich county areas. These are large blocks of private land and each year landowner-hunter problems are experienced. Most of Utah is public land, but where public and private lands join, problems arise. Hunters are urged to seek permission from private landowners to enter their tremendous success. Booth workers are to be commended for their ig-enuity and attention to detail. lands, and to obey no trespassing signs. Another concern ot game managers and wildlife law enforcement personnel is the great amount of illegal moose kills occurring during the elk and deer hunts. If you should witness any illegal activity during any of the fall hunts contact the local conservation officer of Highway Patrol Dispatcher to locate an officer in the field. According to Kimball, enforcement efforts will be strengthened in the northern portion of the state to help decrease the incident of illegal moose kills. Hunters are asked to be sure of their target. Learn the difference between the characteristics of the males and females of the big game species in the areas. Elk, moose and deer can all be spotted in many elk hunting areas. Dean Spackman, assistant chief of law enforcement of the Division of Wildlife resources, says the mosl prevalent violations during the elk hunt are failure to properly tag the animal, violations of the temporary game the project in Panguitch of patching up worn street surfaces, to alleviate further deterioration. preserve status of elk units, and the evidence of sex laws. Hunters are reminded evidence of sex (head or sex organs) must remain attached to one quarter of the animal. The definition of a bull elk is an elk with antlers over five inches in length. If a harvested elk has antlers less than five inches in length, it is an anterless elk. Upon kill of the animal, the tag on the permit must be detached and notched as to sex, month and day. The tag must f then be attached to the u largest portion of the animal. If the animal is being taken out of an area in quarters the tag should remain attached to one of the quarters. It should not be transported in a pocket as each quarter is carried out. During all big game hunts except the deer hunt, hunting units are established as temporary game preserves which makes it illegal for i anyone but the big game ' permit holder to have any weapon on the area. ! Legal hunting rifles and : shotguns (for those licensed and hunting for small game) are the ONLY firearms allowed in an area. Handguns are not legal to have on person or in camp during these hunts. Hunters should be familiar with the rules and regulations passed by the Board of Dig Game Control. The outlook is good for the 1982 hunts, if the weather cooperates it should be a good season. |