[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6151481,"mediaKeyId","5502194-c8e25976d09aa5e78b517a023bb930a5","parentId",5502194,"title","Public commenter raises mule deer collapse, landowner conflicts and records-access concerns","audioSeconds",310,"startMs",1398000,"endMs",1708000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5502194-c8e25976d09aa5e78b517a023bb930a5&start=1398&end=1708","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5502194-c8e25976d09aa5e78b517a023bb930a5/thumbnail_1398000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6151481/Utah/Public-commenter-raises-mule-deer-collapse-landowner-conflicts-and-records-access-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151481-a55f4bde0eb54d8147a65006a135ab89/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091376&Signature=YabTpC-5A~oRfYfhS-UrhpKwLHZQZB2Tgst8ahN9FGCkFPFBzlKJogFiSvQeSXvTDGf9H1aoL4qAvSm7L7bfTmIpwzxI1eBWzZ8z2yy64pFXKvbt1Or7JvWLrWIGTHN-1aVDtimlmL8u965bFxhQP8dufbLNppluZz7s84MvEJbeF52BeqTNWQ4J-gQrel4oFQ8ngsavGPcnHyZ5GYn7dDDBpq1UH1oBi9D~vQEpiyADFtGdLeuP3yg43kqnNOrZuskSw58eWrmU1rGVtvgRI5HomLchsJFSwq2pX6yhmCtEJAVTCXzryDHmRcpF2BvwDXFHanxcJHLXOePB5FhOyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah Office of Tourism","date","2025-07-30T04:36:39.813Z","article","SPRINGVILLE, Utah — During public comment at the Central Regional Advisory Council meeting July 29, William Austin Carter described substantial local declines in mule deer, alleged management missteps, and frustration with the division’s responsiveness on bison and bighorn-sheep concerns.
Carter identified himself as a private landowner and said he had invested decades in mule deer habitat on his property. ‘‘I spent 2 decades and quite a bit of financial and time invested in the mule deer populations to be preserved in my area. And, it's been completely collapsed under mismanagement,’’ he told the RAC. He asserted helicopters and other agency actions caused damage and said he had submitted documentation to the division. Carter also expressed concern that the state was limiting public access to records and urged better access to meeting records.
Chair Brock McMillan and division representatives present acknowledged Carter’s comments and invited him to submit detailed concerns and supporting documentation by email so staff and board members could review them. McMillan noted wildlife board members and the division director were present and had heard the comment. Ron Nelson offered to summarize the public-comment votes and to help route the information to appropriate staff for follow-up.
No formal action on the substance of Carter’s claims was taken at the meeting; RAC members encouraged Carter to provide documentation and pursue formal channels so staff and law enforcement can investigate any alleged misconduct.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DWR RAC Meeting - Central Region 7/29/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A public commenter urged the RAC and division to address a perceived mule deer collapse, alleged mismanagement and lack of response on bison and bighorn issues; he also raised concerns about public-records access and asked for follow-up from division leadership.","taxTitle","Utah Office of Tourism, Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, Offices, Departments, and Divisions, Organizations, Utah Executive Branch, Utah","taxId",67135,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6151486,"Central RAC backs new tagging rule that adds optional electronic tagging; division to pilot e-tagging this fall",2006,2584000,4590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5502194-c8e25976d09aa5e78b517a023bb930a5&start=2584&end=4590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5502194-c8e25976d09aa5e78b517a023bb930a5/thumbnail_2584000.jpg","/articles/6151486/Utah/Central-RAC-backs-new-tagging-rule-that-adds-optional-electronic-tagging-division-to-pilot-e-tagging-this-fall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151486-4869340459509d7700f19bee4c58a9fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091376&Signature=WJJn~DJ6ysHLJc5A9qAcZoGkhfKi2qaGJRQy1rXtpKdP1O0q9w7YyybT5aozUxCgTJdNZIan0G5CBC4Yu2aRi09xmwJlKXNZp9IjRZf990Lbt-D7fvoaYqJAZr1Xl9ulbUhNVkWKGSmApRrPwVFPZl5xN4T75qtW705j5fp8jHkeKPj3~qBBu0t4QKYS0CucjGFARRAn8A9K46a1IshCdy5W1PCILxndXwP5qnQfzmTSMDUGykgiAcNjjgEeqPKAKjQZAiA1EBtczpRFz0BLzx6Qc0EUyaE39B0iq~Awoou-eM-21isZHcV7M2ZKBSENZPPr1EIgO4fAD2xTh6C7ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SPRINGVILLE, Utah — The Central Regional Advisory Council on July 29 unanimously recommended the Division of Wildlife’s new rule, R657-73, which consolidates tagging requirements and adds an optional electronic-tagging (e-tagging) method while retaining physical tags.
Division staff member Lindy Varney described the rule as a consolidation of tagging regulations and an option to electronically tag harvests through the division’s app. ‘‘Under this new rule, hunters still have the option of physically tagging a permit or electronically tagging a permit,’’ Varney said, adding that e-tagging requires a hunter to affirm they are beside the harvested animal, record the required harvest information, and retain an electronic harvest code in their possession by screenshot or app access.
Key features and safeguards: The rule keeps existing prohibitions — for example, notching or tagging more than one carcass with the same tag remains illegal — but removes an older requirement that the physical tag remain attached to the largest portion of meat until it is entirely consumed; law enforcement requested that change. The e-tagging process requires the user’s device to capture a location at the time of tagging and prompts the user to confirm they are next to the animal. Hunters must still retain the electronic harvest code and submit four photos (front, back and both sides) when requested; the division’s biologists said photos improve harvest data accuracy.
Division and RAC discussion addressed poaching and technical vulnerabilities: RAC members and members of the public worried e-tagging could be abused (for example, tagging while offline then deleting the app), but Varney and others said similar fraud risks exist for paper tags and law enforcement has access to a division database to detect duplicate tagging. Varney said the division classified e-tagging location data as private so it cannot be released to the public and that law enforcement can query the system. ‘‘We work through a policy to make it private. So it is deemed as private data, so it cannot be garnered through any records,’’ Varney said.
Rollout, options and costs: The division plans to pilot e-tagging later this fall; the app stores permits offline once downloaded, so tagging does not require cell service after initial download. The division’s information-technology staff built the app; Varney said e-tagging may reduce printing costs and provides near-real-time harvest data for biologists. The division said it does not plan to mandate e-tagging in the near term and will continue to provide paper tags for hunters without smartphones.
Public support and vote: Backcountry Hunters and Anglers told the RAC it supports the proposal, praising improved timeliness and data accuracy; other public comments opposed the change citing a preference for paper tags. Bryce Castillo moved to accept the division’s proposal; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
","The RAC unanimously supported DWR’s proposed R657-73, a consolidated tagging rule that preserves physical tags, adds optional electronic tagging with geolocation and photos, and protects location data as private; division plans a rollout this fall and will keep paper tags available.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":80,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6151490,"RAC supports allowing sportsman-permit point purchases, clarifies statewide start dates and group applications",501,2083000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5502194-c8e25976d09aa5e78b517a023bb930a5&start=2083&end=2584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5502194-c8e25976d09aa5e78b517a023bb930a5/thumbnail_2083000.jpg","/articles/6151490/Utah/RAC-supports-allowing-sportsman-permit-point-purchases-clarifies-statewide-start-dates-and-group-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151490-293832429e78e319dd00d2c7a980ff9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091376&Signature=g3WugDJo6dpIAouhvMMVQGy8FexYYOPjR-s-LIwrjv98eLfplqOAIYu84CxbcspHX67a79u96k6tRvfqXR5fNomjEMyaCMOpB25BU7AaTTbcpcdqah~19zhrmU9HQsa7NJYwUCZkiUGmdVUTXXRkyd-n56Qxl2yUFx~nmMFH~SmenpexquRPnJEptspv-3HqowdRg5X6j6zm-v4KTLH3MdA5vIIX8b5kfxQJhjKj3HGlfa50s6AmbQ2mVhz1s5Baqg-1N8o945IMDslzNHbXkf1dpL2rmbu45om2f6UaImm1lM7DpbYzPkBhg3uKUBU22lHAgbkKoiQvHNgpcLFAfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SPRINGVILLE, Utah — The Central Regional Advisory Council unanimously approved July 29 the Division of Wildlife’s administrative proposals to amend R657-41 and R657-62 governing sportsman draw and group applications.
Division staff member Lindy Varney told the RAC the proposals would allow an applicant who draws a sportsman permit to continue buying preference points for that species the following year (rather than lose that year toward point accumulation), fix start-date clarifications when set dates fall on Sundays, and allow group applications for the management-buck deer hunt. ‘‘We’re recommending to just allow them to apply for a point, not a hunt, just a point for the species that they were right now ineligible for,’’ Varney said.
Key clarifications: The proposal formalizes a practice for statewide sportsman and conservation permits so that if a statutory start date (for example, Aug. 1) falls on a Sunday the effective start will shift (for example, to Aug. 2); September 1 would shift to Aug. 31 when needed. Varney said the change avoids ad hoc decisions and preserves the division’s preference for August starts when possible.
Public comment and equity concerns: Hunters raised concerns about the change creating a perceived advantage for those who ‘‘hit the lottery’’ under the draw system. Kyle Coombs, a local hunter who commented, asked whether allowing point purchases after drawing a permit would undermine the ‘‘once-in-a-lifetime’’ nature of some permits; Varney responded that limited-entry once-in-a-lifetime permits and conservation permits retain their specific eligibility rules and that the proposal is intended to allow point accumulation in limited cases.
Vote and next steps: Bryce Castillo moved to accept the division’s recommendations; Eric Reed seconded. The RAC passed the motion unanimously and will forward the recommendation to the wildlife board. The division said these amendments are administrative clarifications designed to reduce confusion and better match current practice.
","The Central RAC voted unanimously to back division recommendations to allow point purchases when drawn for sportsman's permits, fix start-date rules for statewide permits, and allow group applications for the management-buck deer hunt.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6151496,"Central RAC backs DWR changes to surrender and medical-variance rules",1154,826000,1980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5502194-c8e25976d09aa5e78b517a023bb930a5&start=826&end=1980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5502194-c8e25976d09aa5e78b517a023bb930a5/thumbnail_826000.jpg","/articles/6151496/Utah/Central-RAC-backs-DWR-changes-to-surrender-and-medical-variance-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151496-4f0a60e18c29afc6a783f2c524729614/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091376&Signature=iaVsMGYtgqyu6D8jWU1bDJAer8P0P-wzzrB83g7Y9X7aIlLOLjApj491MIEiY6dRiRLOy6BIgIwrHt9WQct76MMWvid55GBAovAj8oNr9WErj96KGczwVHi-ay-IHPbgfyu1uJCmeOplM2u4cW5Z9VO-vC65VamvAQ1ZD3BlDvoFLetJzMwY7d-Ywqs-EVpe9iMLPE8Wp0wGzpu1sLTjePIiuuQLBYxJzfzULRYDyknJt5yAIWgv6PBzWu3zVkIwiLM2jgTPX6IPTHFsB56DsYe0fv8uqc5oUz6GJ3dK~i6ZMWUMvxnaVJ6rq3vSCd6eTU20FlTwvYqjJhcvg9Dfzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SPRINGVILLE, Utah — The Central Regional Advisory Council unanimously voted July 29 to recommend the Division of Wildlife’s proposed changes to R657-42 and R657-57, rules covering permit surrenders and medical variances. The RAC’s motion accepted the division’s administrative changes as presented.
The changes would let hunters who must surrender permits because of late agency postings qualify for refunds under an exception, shorten the window for submitting medical documentation from 90 days after a hunt ends to 30 days, and add language aligning the division’s rule with state code for medical refunds. ‘‘So we are asking to switch that to 30 days, to get that so we can take care of their eligibility issues and restate their points into them when needed,’’ Division staff member Lindy Varney told the RAC during the presentation.
Rationale and scope: Varney said the 30-day window responds to eligibility problems caused when medical paperwork arrives months after a hunt ends — doctors decline to file paperwork or applicants procrastinate — preventing reinstatement of preference points or waiver of waiting periods. She said surrenders for medical reasons make up about 20–30% of surrendered tags, and surrendered tags overall are about 8% of all tags, though the division emphasized the overall numbers are small. ‘‘It is a small number, but when you’re dealing with hundreds across species and general seasons, there’s still a lot of people,’’ Varney said.
Enforcement and fraud concerns: RAC members pressed the division about fraud and physician documentation. Jim Schuler, a RAC member, asked whether falsified medical letters could be criminal; Varney said falsifying such a statement can carry criminal liability and the division refers suspected fraud to law enforcement. RAC members recommended the division create a standardized physician form and consider a HIPAA waiver so physicians understand the legal stakes. Varney said the division had tried a form previously and would revisit the idea.
Public input and outcome: The RAC heard three votes during the public-comment summary on the item — two ‘‘strongly agree’’ and one ‘‘strongly disagree’’ — and then moved to a formal motion. Jim Schuler made the motion to accept the division’s recommendations; John Ziegler seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: The changes affect how quickly hunters with medical or unexpected issues can recover preference points or receive refunds, and they alter administrative time frames for the division. RAC members requested the division follow up with outreach to medical providers to reduce fraud and confusion.
What’s next: The RAC recommendation will be forwarded to the wildlife board as part of the advisory process. The division noted the changes are administrative and intended to align internal practice with state code.
","The Central Regional Advisory Council voted unanimously to support Division of Wildlife proposals to align surrender and medical-variance rules with state code, shorten medical paperwork windows from 90 to 30 days and clarify refund eligibility.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenter raises mule deer collapse, landowner conflicts and records-access concerns

Central RAC backs new tagging rule that adds optional electronic tagging; division to pilot e-tagging this fall

RAC supports allowing sportsman-permit point purchases, clarifies statewide start dates and group applications

Central RAC backs DWR changes to surrender and medical-variance rules