Southern RAC scales back Beaver West permit increase after public outcry; votes 10–1 on split allocation

CEDAR CITY, Utah — After lengthy public comment and debate, the Southern Region Advisory Council on April 15 adjusted proposed deer permit allocations for the Beaver hunting unit and approved the larger deer-permit package with specific exceptions.

The council voted 10–1 to split the Beaver unit’s permits between West and East in a measure that will set 350 general-season permits for Beaver West and 1,600 for Beaver East (combined total of 1,950). Council members said the change was intended to be more conservative than the division’s original recommendation for a larger single-side increase and to respond to strong local opposition to the scale of the proposed West-side increase.

Why it matters: Deer permit numbers shape hunter opportunity and influence buck-to-doe ratios that the division uses to meet statewide management objectives. Locals and RAC members warned that a large single-year jump in permits on the West side could overharvest a population that many residents said has not recovered from past declines.

Division presentation and rationale Mike, the division biologist for the Beaver unit, described the data used to set permit levels: decades of classification data (November–December field counts), collar-survival data and harvest records. He said the overall Beaver population estimate is about 10,000 deer and that the West side had historically accounted for roughly a third of classification samples. The division—s recommendation had aimed to reflect rebounding populations after earlier deep cuts in permit numbers years ago.

Local reaction and public comment Public comment was overwhelmingly opposed to the original recommended increase for Beaver West. Local residents and sportsmen described decades of declining numbers on the West side, referenced severe fires and droughts, and urged a more cautious approach. Several speakers, including Curtis Barney of Panguitch and Paul Marshall of Minersville, said they had not seen enough deer in recent years to support the higher permit count and urged the RAC to reduce the proposed increase. Sportsmen—s groups and other stakeholders proposed alternative figures; Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife suggested a 500-permit ceiling for Beaver West, while some locals urged as few as 350.

Council deliberations and votes Tammy moved to set Beaver West at 350 permits and Beaver East at 1,600 (leaving the rest of the unit—s total allocation at a smaller net increase). Bryant seconded the motion. The motion passed 10–1, with Brooklyn casting the lone vote against.

Later the council considered the remainder of the deer-permit recommendations across the region. Bridal (a council member) proposed approving the rest of the division—s recommendations with one exception: no increases on limited-entry San Juan and Fillmore Oak Creek units. The motion to approve the remainder of recommendations with those exceptions passed 10–1.

Clarifying details and constraints - The Beaver unit had approximate total permit levels of 1,800 in the previous year; the split approved represents a modest net increase overall compared with the division—s original proposal. - The Beaver West change will be monitored: the division uses collar and classification data, harvest reports and winter observations to inform future adjustments. Several council members asked the division to be prepared for rapid adjustments if on-the-ground data show overharvest or unexpected impacts.

Quotes from the meeting "When I made the recommendation, it's difficult. Right? Because the unit's splitting and we have never collected data at that level," Mike said of the challenge of dividing permits between East and West. "I looked at my classification data... the West number made about a third of my sample. And so that was how I split out permits."

One resident, Curtis Barney, said: "Adding all these tags in such an open area is deer suicide. Just when a deer gets over one ridge, there'll be other hunters waiting."

Next steps and context The council—s votes will be reflected in the region—s recommendations to the statewide wildlife board. The board will take final action at its May meeting. RAC members and public speakers emphasized close monitoring of the Beaver units for the coming season and urged continued communication between landowners, division biologists and hunters.

Ending note The decision reflects a compromise between Division biologists— statistical recommendations and local concerns after a sustained, sometimes emotional public comment period. Council members said they expect to revisit permit numbers as new data come in.