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RAC backs pilot program to pay landowners to retain big-game forage
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Summary
The RAC unanimously endorsed a proposed cooperative-agreement pilot that would pay landowners to retain cleared/planted land as forage for big game and turkeys to boost deer populations; staff said Pittman-Robertson funds could be used and that pilot areas will be chosen with sideboards to avoid CWMUs.
Staff presented a proposed cooperative-agreement pilot (agenda item 9) that would pay landowners to retain forage, alter harvest timing or otherwise tolerate big game or turkey use on cleared and planted land to benefit populations that are below unit objectives. A minor but important wording change was proposed: replace "or" with "and" in the definition of cleared-and-planted land to require that the crop be both routinely irrigated and routinely harvested, consistent with other rules.
Darren said the division would initiate agreements, negotiate terms with landowners (examples: leave last cutting, buy crop), and could use federal Pittman-Robertson funds (75/25 match) to support population-level management tools. Staff said CWMUs would be excluded because CWMUs already receive compensation for wildlife.
Public and stakeholder comments were largely supportive. Kevin Norman (SFW) and Troy Henry (Utah Farm Bureau) both voiced support, saying the program could provide incentives to landowners to forgo depredation permits and protect female survivors. The RAC discussed implementation details (pilot sites, sideboards) and approved the proposal unanimously (9–0).
Ending: The unanimous RAC recommendation advances a new voluntary tool intended to increase forage and reduce female harvest in selected areas; staff said pilots will be chosen to test the approach and that terms will be negotiated case by case.
