Division approves pilot conservation‑lease program to pay landowners to retain deer/turkey habitat
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Summary
The rack approved a pilot conservation‑lease rule to pay landowners for habitat/management that benefits deer and turkey; the division said federal funding sources may be used, but rack members asked for clearer selection criteria, transparency and exit provisions; vote passed 4–3.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources presented and the Southeastern Region rack approved a new conservation‑lease pilot intended to compensate landowners for retaining or managing habitat that benefits big game (initial focus on deer and turkey).
Division presenter Darren said the program is separate from reactive depredation payments and is intended to be proactive: "We'll pay this much every year for 6 years. We'll review it after 3," he said, adding that pilot areas would include the Southern and Northeastern regions. The division also said that, by framing the activity as population‑level wildlife management rather than depredation, some federal funding sources (e.g., Pittman‑Robertson) could become available.
Rack members repeatedly pressed for transparency. Member Speaker 6 said the current draft is too broad and lacks selection criteria, a funding cap, and quantifiable success metrics. Speaker 11 and others asked whether small game (pheasant) should be included; Jaren Hanson (Utah Farm Bureau) and Kevin Norman (SFW) supported the pilot as written but asked for reporting back to the rack.
Administrative details: the rule will include a contract agreement for each lease that documents payment, objectives and mid‑term reviews; the division said it plans an internal policy with implementation details and may report back to regional racks and the board as the pilot proceeds.
Vote and next steps: after debate the rack voted to accept the pilot as presented (motion passed 4–3). The division will draft the program policy and template agreements and begin pilot implementation and outreach to landowners in the named regions.