05-11-2007, 10:26 PM
[black][size 4]Just a heads up everyone![/size][/black]
Applications to hunt cow elk, doe deer, doe pronghorn and cow moose in Utah this fall will be available at the end of May, just like they have been for several years.
There is one change this year, though: if you want to apply for an antlerless permit, you'll have to use a computer.
For the first time ever, the Division of Wildlife Resources will not accept paper applications for antlerless permits.
You'll also have more permits to apply for. The Utah Wildlife Board has increased the number of doe deer, cow elk and cow moose permits that will be available for hunts this fall.
12- and 13-year-olds
This year will also be the first year that 12- and 13-year-olds can apply for an antlerless deer, elk or pronghorn permit (cow moose permits are considered limited entry permits, and 12- and 13-year-olds may not apply for them).
Hunters who are 11 years old, but who will turn 12 by Dec. 31, 2007, can also apply for an antlerless permit. They may not hunt until the day they turn 12, however.
Application period
Hunters can start applying for antlerless permits at 8 a.m. on May 23.
Applications must be received through the DWR's Web site (wildlife.utah.gov) no later than 11 p.m. on June 19.
Antlerless permits
More than 7,800 cow elk, 1,700 doe deer, 340 doe pronghorn and 80 cow moose permits will be available through the public draw this year.
In addition to the public permits, many of Utah's private Cooperative Wildlife Management Units provide antlerless permits to the public through the public draw. Hunters can apply for these public CWMU permits during the application period.
Change will benefit hunters
Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the DWR, says applying online provides hunters with several benefits.
"Receiving applications only through the Internet will allow us to process the applications faster," she said. "And that means we can let hunters know sooner if they drew a permit."
Hunters will know by June 29 whether they drew a permit. That's only 10 days after the end of the application period and almost a month earlier than last year.
Receiving applications online will also allow the DWR to get permits into the hands of hunters before the hunts start.
Some of the antlerless hunts begin on Aug. 1. In the past, the time it took to process paper applications meant the DWR couldn't post the results until the end of July. Because of the late posting date, the agency couldn't offer permits that weren't taken in the draw until the first week in August. By then, some of the hunts had already started.
"This change will allow us to start selling permits on July 26, before any of the hunts begin," Tutorow said.
Applying online also helps hunters two additional ways: it's almost impossible to make a mistake on the online application, and hunters won't have to wait for a refund because a $5 nonrefundable handling fee is the only fee they'll have to pay when they apply.
The DWR received more than 28,500 antlerless applications last year. Of those, about 2,900 were paper applications. "Every year, fewer and fewer hunters are applying with a paper application," Tutorow said.
If you have questions about applying online, please visit the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office. Computers are available at each office, and the staff at each office can help you through the process.
You can also receive assistance by calling the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700
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Applications to hunt cow elk, doe deer, doe pronghorn and cow moose in Utah this fall will be available at the end of May, just like they have been for several years.
There is one change this year, though: if you want to apply for an antlerless permit, you'll have to use a computer.
For the first time ever, the Division of Wildlife Resources will not accept paper applications for antlerless permits.
You'll also have more permits to apply for. The Utah Wildlife Board has increased the number of doe deer, cow elk and cow moose permits that will be available for hunts this fall.
12- and 13-year-olds
This year will also be the first year that 12- and 13-year-olds can apply for an antlerless deer, elk or pronghorn permit (cow moose permits are considered limited entry permits, and 12- and 13-year-olds may not apply for them).
Hunters who are 11 years old, but who will turn 12 by Dec. 31, 2007, can also apply for an antlerless permit. They may not hunt until the day they turn 12, however.
Application period
Hunters can start applying for antlerless permits at 8 a.m. on May 23.
Applications must be received through the DWR's Web site (wildlife.utah.gov) no later than 11 p.m. on June 19.
Antlerless permits
More than 7,800 cow elk, 1,700 doe deer, 340 doe pronghorn and 80 cow moose permits will be available through the public draw this year.
In addition to the public permits, many of Utah's private Cooperative Wildlife Management Units provide antlerless permits to the public through the public draw. Hunters can apply for these public CWMU permits during the application period.
Change will benefit hunters
Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the DWR, says applying online provides hunters with several benefits.
"Receiving applications only through the Internet will allow us to process the applications faster," she said. "And that means we can let hunters know sooner if they drew a permit."
Hunters will know by June 29 whether they drew a permit. That's only 10 days after the end of the application period and almost a month earlier than last year.
Receiving applications online will also allow the DWR to get permits into the hands of hunters before the hunts start.
Some of the antlerless hunts begin on Aug. 1. In the past, the time it took to process paper applications meant the DWR couldn't post the results until the end of July. Because of the late posting date, the agency couldn't offer permits that weren't taken in the draw until the first week in August. By then, some of the hunts had already started.
"This change will allow us to start selling permits on July 26, before any of the hunts begin," Tutorow said.
Applying online also helps hunters two additional ways: it's almost impossible to make a mistake on the online application, and hunters won't have to wait for a refund because a $5 nonrefundable handling fee is the only fee they'll have to pay when they apply.
The DWR received more than 28,500 antlerless applications last year. Of those, about 2,900 were paper applications. "Every year, fewer and fewer hunters are applying with a paper application," Tutorow said.
If you have questions about applying online, please visit the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office. Computers are available at each office, and the staff at each office can help you through the process.
You can also receive assistance by calling the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700
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