[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6143587,"mediaKeyId","5535501-d5e9d470eef23f5d5abda3168b67344a","parentId",5535501,"title","RAC approves DWR changes to sportsman's draw and group applications; retroactivity ruled out","audioSeconds",1404,"startMs",2272000,"endMs",3676000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5535501-d5e9d470eef23f5d5abda3168b67344a&start=2272&end=3676","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5535501-d5e9d470eef23f5d5abda3168b67344a/thumbnail_2272000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6143587/Utah/RAC-approves-DWR-changes-to-sportsmans-draw-and-group-applications-retroactivity-ruled-out","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6143587-064fdc6a120d5e7f53a5a8c6358c5b09/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142936&Signature=ZXyAPTz6cGTyVNRs3~O0GFSTMEG~bZisfl90mdyGPcm-mN4kuHT39jdh8MQXpAM5FZBAYdPtWvSRzk0Br7pPBigrlteZSwKihmfeoeGlqmtGGLr0r6NmgbwP4Eiy~m8VvVKiQnNwX6f2TAZGQIktVxTUWSZ-CPCAAMP0K25VjcATVVMWmwCY363QvS6BAiXbwkgdPB6070CdvvXciTKM244rhyChOuobXXJn3ZOqBx57iI4tZtFnDqQ57aWpcslxshXGTOBH0aybQNRpOqTchx6xVjDd3bT2Z4snMKCYJCLE7FkfsulOLSmC64VTgevSrg8U56gwmVl3upEqUn3IsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah Office of Tourism","date","2025-08-06T03:52:50Z","article","The Southern Region Advisory Council voted to approve proposed changes to the Division of Wildlife Resources' sportsman's draw and group-application rules and recommended those changes to move forward to the wildlife board.
Key changes include shifting some application or season-start dates to avoid July starts, making group applications available for certain hunts (with exceptions), and allowing applicants in the sportsman's draw to purchase points going forward beginning with the 2025 sportsman's cycle. DWR staff told the RAC the change would apply only moving forward and would not be retroactive to past sportsman draws.
Why this matters: the sportsman's draw is a small, residents-only draw that can affect a hunter's point strategy for limited-entry or once-in-a-lifetime species. DWR said the revision fixes an inconsistency that previously prevented sportsman's permit holders from buying points for certain species and aligns the sportsman process more closely with other draws.
Details: Lindy Varney explained that the proposal would begin applying with the 2025 sportsman applicants and that staff did not plan to apply the change retroactively because determining a clean cutoff date across many years would create administrative and fairness complexities. Varney said, \"moving forward starting with this 2025 sportsmen. We typically don't go back just because where's the clean cutoff date?\"
Other specifics discussed included a small per-application fee (currently $10) for the extra sportsman application; staff said the majority of that fee returns to DWR after contractor costs (about $2.50 per application under the incumbent contractor) and that the division is switching vendors on Sept. 1 with a lower per-app cost. Staff also explained that group applications are not being extended to once-in-a-lifetime species and that some draws (for example, bear seasons with low numbers) already have specific group provisions.
RAC action and vote: The RAC approved the recommendation on the sportsman's draw and group-application changes. The motion passed with seven in favor and one recusal (Bryant Johnson), as recorded in the meeting.
What remains: DWR staff said they will consider whether moving the sportsman drawing to coincide with species' regular draws (e.g., March) would improve participation and avoid confusion, and staff will continue to study implementation details.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DWR RAC Meeting - Southern Region 8/5/2025 (re-posted)","oneSentenceSummary","The Southern Region RAC approved DWR recommendations to modify the sportsman's draw and allow specified group applications, with the changes to take effect for 2025 and not applied retroactively.","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},6143582,"RAC approves rule to allow electronic tagging; DWR says physical tags remain an option and app will require photos, GPS",835,3667000,4502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5535501-d5e9d470eef23f5d5abda3168b67344a&start=3667&end=4502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5535501-d5e9d470eef23f5d5abda3168b67344a/thumbnail_3667000.jpg","/articles/6143582/Utah/RAC-approves-rule-to-allow-electronic-tagging-DWR-says-physical-tags-remain-an-option-and-app-will-require-photos-GPS","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6143582-c54fcb969db39233d56d245cbb0464f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142936&Signature=Unv5sKY1QW7E~RKHYCmHw4Ej0WBwjSf~xk7hWC7AXpgZ6rzUrSliO-vcokKKj5siXgd~5e9XwVU4tG-oyagWAFZKZnwVz3Geu57XvtEsjEkhgHsgs2Wbi4kSa4khrNt-n81vGeQeW~GYx551sxb99CFQ19Ge24cUQYLsmbR8tCAQoQ2U7A-03SxYSpsESTXqadoNiOc086F8C3ZBMMD2va7WlgYflu7FP8ttBybWLud56RGpmiD-NlJI4kzsGUg0tjQt8rXY5aTMwj6C-pJcMKec~wn5cF0vWUenq-35dn3QaxuuDUvmWIa-44~Hm069HD69jzyu-dULqePiARXMnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Southern Region Advisory Council unanimously approved DWR's proposed rule that would allow electronic tagging (e-tagging) of harvested animals while preserving the option to use a physical tag.
DWR presenter Lindy Varney told the RAC the rule is written as an \"and/or\" option, not a mandate: \"You're not we're not making you pick straight e tagging. We're not taking away the physical tag option.\" The agency said e-tagging will require the DWR app to record the hunter's GPS location (phone location services must be enabled) and to upload three photos of the harvest (left side, right side and front) when service is available; the agency reduced the photo requirement from four to three during implementation.
Law enforcement and DWR staff discussed protections for location and photo data. Staff said that harvest-location and photo records will be protected and made available only to staff who need them for biologic monitoring and enforcement, and that the Division is building internal protections to restrict access. DWR said a hunter must carry their electronic harvest code in their possession when transporting carcass parts; the agency will not require an outward physical marking on the carcass under the proposed rule, but the code must be available if inspected.
Timing and rollout: DWR plans to present the rule to the wildlife board on Aug. 21; if approved, staff said they hope to roll out e-tagging later in the fall. The app will require an update to enable e-tagging functionality; DWR said the Division's IT team developed the system in-house and expects long-term operational savings from reduced paper processing.
RAC action: The council moved and seconded the motion to approve the proposal and voted unanimous in favor.
Why this matters: E-tagging promises faster, more accurate harvest reporting and better location data for biologists, but it raises questions about phone service in the field, data protection, and enforcement protocols. DWR said physical tags will remain available for hunters who do not want to use electronic tagging.","The Southern Region RAC unanimously approved DWR's proposed rule to allow electronic tagging; DWR said physical tags will remain an option and that the app will require GPS location and three photos when hunters validate a harvest.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6143590,"DWR and wildlife board offer Monroe hunters options after Monroe Mountain fire; RAC advances variance rule changes",1005,553000,1558000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5535501-d5e9d470eef23f5d5abda3168b67344a&start=553&end=1558","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5535501-d5e9d470eef23f5d5abda3168b67344a/thumbnail_553000.jpg","/articles/6143590/Utah/DWR-and-wildlife-board-offer-Monroe-hunters-options-after-Monroe-Mountain-fire-RAC-advances-variance-rule-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6143590-e675576ec8bc65d03b312b91676bac6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142936&Signature=PWyjj~WARsw4enzlYa2r-IrMDvGrFO5T9XfhXONh6mo1OZIfFs4aNhJHw6r6b6GuqtOilccqSQOsGNy1rJ-hyAPUI3qoMELzm3n56kfbYL8qJ5KfrEI0jdk6LkgVdfAfIWJUFXwY4UYX-JWU-teCMWXgArclxhXQkhVDxgLKBXHRhUA8Hde-VpRDEDlNteWChnbx0dBXZbL4T67Yb83XSXY1BjK4xcMN5UMuT9aOv4hQsb5KHmxRfUq2rfbDp2WTS1RcBjtXYZmTjxAYbmP6cO1p1z9xN2bgkYvFptHwneoWzFqtv8Wp-HrnAnR9z-MVfwLKx9eNqTaBM9zaBxwWqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Utah Wildlife Board approved emergency options for hunters in the Monroe (Monroe Mountain) unit after wildfire closures, and the Southern Region Advisory Council unanimously recommended DWR's proposed changes to the agency's surrender and variance rules.
At an emergency board meeting called in early August, board members approved options for hunters holding Monroe tags, including surrendering tags in exchange for license points, receiving a refund, or keeping tags and applying for an extension/variance for a future season. DWR staff told the RAC the options apply only to the Monroe unit and that the closure order from the U.S. Forest Service is currently in place through Sept. 30 but could change.
The RAC then considered a DWR rule package on surrenders and variances. Lindy Varney, the DWR presenter, told the council that \"the rule the variance rule does not include any natural disasters within,\" and that emergency coordination for natural disasters was initiated by Director Riley Peck. Varney said the director has directed staff to bring proposed rule language later this fall to address natural disasters so emergency board meetings will not always be required.
Why this matters: hunters who drew limited-entry or other Monroe tags face uncertainty while the closure and fire impacts remain active; the board's emergency options preserve choices for affected hunters this season, and DWR staff are preparing regulatory language to handle similar events in the future.
Details: DWR described three options the board approved for the Monroe unit: surrender the tag and receive points for the year; surrender the tag and request a refund (subject to state-code refund requirements); or keep the tag and request a variance or extension into the next season. DWR staff said extensions for Monroe would be treated as extensions (not variances) in that instance, and that hunters who accept an extension will be transparent in next year's permit accounting. Varney also explained that the existing variance rule does not currently include a natural-disaster provision and that the director directed staff to develop guidelines to avoid calling emergency board meetings in all such cases.
On timing and scope, DWR staff said the Monroe closure order from the Forest Service was in effect through Sept. 30 at the time of the meeting and that the board-approved options were limited to the Monroe unit only. Staff emphasized the board processes and the director's role: the director can call emergency coordination based on event circumstances and will propose rule language later this year.
RAC action: The Southern Region RAC voted unanimously to adopt the DWR recommendation on surrenders and variances at the Aug. 5 meeting.
What remains: DWR staff said they will draft rule language addressing natural disasters and present it later this fall for public review and for board consideration; the agency also signaled it will track how many tags are extended or varianced and report those numbers in subsequent permit discussions.
","Following the Monroe Mountain wildfire, the Utah Wildlife Board approved emergency options for affected hunters and the Southern Region RAC recommended changes to the Division of Wildlife Resources\u0000(DWR) surrender/variance rules, while DWR staff said permanent rule language to cover natural disasters will be proposed later this year.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6143572,"Southern RAC hears public concern over one-day fishing-license price hike",322,1890000,2212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5535501-d5e9d470eef23f5d5abda3168b67344a&start=1890&end=2212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5535501-d5e9d470eef23f5d5abda3168b67344a/thumbnail_1890000.jpg","/articles/6143572/Utah/Southern-RAC-hears-public-concern-over-one-day-fishing-license-price-hike","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6143572-19c247464d9379ffcce0b576d3f85dd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142936&Signature=MSdFD453jh-hgmoMXRxYYF2QIJjfyw0QDj0SCdAxcZ75yltxGVTNOD6Y6MfeRyefGE43eyt8~ByEFkSXbYMDESN00LZl4I5fVPLbG3~MOZPpcDJv1BeQ1XFYUxZsBCH0iizW8ToRwvJYxBcJ3TS2Szc4n3~tbr6ev6zQu8iDa8pVpI4T-xVihNBUcTSETPAc3hkq4x4RE-X5W3shD9wveewOw-Sz8zsIeUuLPuzGxipX6tvObtgK6~lnv1-0QKRaE8~1kSY~eUPAEEp~nyPR1ZWA1Xr3QSGR65dJT~kEeFwcq2vU6eCuvQGuANRaZ9YDRUfZgsr-iu4SVU-g56XabQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A member of the public told the Southern Region RAC that a recent increase in Utah's one-day fishing license price will deter youth and families from fishing and urged DWR to reconsider.
Bill Lane of New Harmony spoke during public comment and said the one-day youth fishing license increase to $44 (from $31) represented a 25% rise and was out of scale with neighboring states. Lane compared Utah's one-day rate to several other states during his remarks, saying, for example, that California was charging about $20.52 and Arizona $20 (presentation of other state fees was part of his comment). Lane said higher short-term fees will discourage parents and grandparents from buying one-day licenses for children and cited his own experience taking children fishing as an example.
DWR noted the comment and said fishing and licensing matters were scheduled for a future RAC meeting. Chair Austin Atkinson thanked Lane for his remarks and said the timing was appropriate because fishing rates would be discussed at the next meeting.
Why this matters: public affordability of short-term recreation licenses can affect youth participation and compliance; the commenter asked DWR to review pricing and outreach to avoid discouraging beginner anglers.
What the record shows: the comment was a public opinion offered during the Southern Region RAC meeting; DWR staff did not adopt a change on the spot and said fishing and license items will be on a subsequent agenda for staff and RAC consideration.","A public commenter told the RAC that a recent increase in Utah's one-day fishing license rates will deter families and youth from fishing, citing comparative prices in other states; DWR said fishing and licensing will be on a future agenda.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6143577,"DWR Southern Region reports wildfire impacts, fish salvage and upcoming mule-deer meetings",250,714000,964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5535501-d5e9d470eef23f5d5abda3168b67344a&start=714&end=964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5535501-d5e9d470eef23f5d5abda3168b67344a/thumbnail_714000.jpg","/articles/6143577/Utah/DWR-Southern-Region-reports-wildfire-impacts-fish-salvage-and-upcoming-mule-deer-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6143577-2bb4fb0a23cedef4247d02a0dc066e9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142936&Signature=nqf6C~PiwciTOjFFk40HtJYVfv5OGAJbbNDckPDiqWOo~aYisbaf4ChUa-IbHe0xpIEIObFzOB3YO824S1FSXMbCBCX3mIpWX0UoKbKnqFfx2kcDU9SXO0gruXZje-k5BKt1bR-d-L8WmRmAdNUbCnSk-4ebCxm90ufWHAUdacWhvuFYda7bewnuyRTA1L6tOM0FeK66oZIrFpIu90WqgXW4ZA-eMFqsekaefunX66zXxL7r5ZdwgLY7kyap5qFLNxuEeR2OdTPyFlm7SMgTS4btXnVhLaZZnLR0X70RHqpI29FBrGtI9M9UdxHKwnDQiCP~eoGat93kn28IOR7vMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DWR Southern Region staff summarized summer field work and wildfire impacts and invited the public to a series of mule-deer meetings later in August.
Theresa Griffin, filling in as the regional wildlife program manager, said the public mule-deer meetings will be held in Cedar City on Aug. 14, Richfield on Aug. 18 and Ruby's Canyon on Aug. 20; \"All of the meetings will go from 7 until 08:30, so we'd love the public to come and give us their input,\" Griffin said.
Staff reported active classifications and monitoring for pronghorn and elk, collar retrievals and necropsies for mortalities, and waterhole counts showing poor reproduction for Gambel's quail and chukar associated with dry conditions. DWR staff said biologists have been hauling water to guzzlers and relocating nuisance beavers to beneficial locations, and that prairie-dog crews are conducting spring counts, flea dusting and development surveys while coordinating with municipalities.
Aquatic work tied to recent fires includes salvaging nearly 100 Bonneville cutthroat trout from Blubber Creek and transferring them to Fountain Green Hatchery for long-term holding and future restocking, an unsuccessful salvage attempt in Water Canyon on Pine Valley where drought had already reduced numbers, and concern about sedimentation risks to Manning Meadow Reservoir from the Monroe Canyon Fire. Staff said western-toad releases are underway in coordination with partners and that desert-tortoise long-term spring monitoring detected live adults and juveniles but also a high number of recently deceased animals.
DWR also announced habitat-council field tours Aug. 26 and 27 (Bicknell Bottoms and Fishlake/Twin Creeks) and listed outreach events including a mountain-goat viewing event Aug. 9 and youth summer programs. Law enforcement staff were noted to be assisting with fire security and an aquatic invasive species inspection station was emphasized for boaters.
Why this matters: wildfire and drought in the Southern Region are producing immediate wildlife impacts and prompting rescue, monitoring and habitat rehab work; public mule-deer meetings are part of DWR's effort to gather input on population concerns and potential management actions.
","DWR's Southern Region staff told the RAC they are monitoring wildfire impacts, salvaging Bonneville cutthroat trout from burned streams, conducting habitat and species monitoring, and hosting mule-deer public meetings this month.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

RAC approves DWR changes to sportsman's draw and group applications; retroactivity ruled out

RAC approves rule to allow electronic tagging; DWR says physical tags remain an option and app will require photos, GPS

DWR and wildlife board offer Monroe hunters options after Monroe Mountain fire; RAC advances variance rule changes

Southern RAC hears public concern over one-day fishing-license price hike

DWR Southern Region reports wildfire impacts, fish salvage and upcoming mule-deer meetings