OCR Text |
Show Limited Permit Hunts For Antelope Forecast for Utah Surveys indicate that Utah's antelope herds are making an average increase this year. There are nine large land areas, chiefly In desert sections, where grow-ing grow-ing herds have been established. Counts of a year ago showed a total of slightly over 1,500 animals. A normal Increase as noted this year should see an increase to better than 1,800 animals ani-mals going into next year. Since 1948 an intensive predator preda-tor control program has resulted in a marked improvement in the antelope herd build up. The heavy hea-vy winter of 1948-49 is noted as having caused serious herd reductions. re-ductions. Game division spokesmen feel that the present build up of brood stocks should result in limited lim-ited permit hunts within the not-too-far-distant years. They note that some of the herds are of such size now that a quick build up can be expected unless unusual un-usual weather or other factors interfere. While It is doubtful that antelope an-telope will ever be hunted in Utah other than on a limited permit system, success of the present program gives hope that limited hunting seasons for these fleetest of all the big game animals ani-mals will one day be a reality in the big game picture. |