RAC backs significant NEBO bull-permit increases after biologists cite high bull counts
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Summary
After DWR presented flight and tooth-age data showing elevated bull numbers on the NEBO unit, the Central Region RAC voted to accept the division's bull-permit recommendations despite public concern about the size of the percentage increase.
Division staff told the RAC a recent flight and age-class data show the NEBO elk population has more mature bulls and a higher bull:cow ratio; staff recommended a notable increase in bull permits to move the unit toward its age objective.
David Smedley, Central Region wildlife manager, said the latest flight counted roughly 2,400 elk and about 381 bulls on the counted areas, putting estimated bulls on the landscape at 500–600. "Our bull to cow ratio has been climbing," he said, and the division recommended increases to bring the age structure closer to the objective.
Several RAC members and public commenters urged moderation, warning that a large percentage increase could overshoot and then require larger corrections in later years. DWR explained that the model uses tooth-age samples, flight counts and harvest-success inputs; biologists said tooth returns and flight data give confidence in the NEBO estimate. Wasatch area and other stakeholders asked for consistency across units; DWR staff said biologist judgment is applied unit-by-unit.
After discussion, the RAC voted to accept the bull-permit recommendations as presented; the motion passed with a recorded majority in favor. DWR will include the NEBO rationale and flight/age-data summaries in the packet forwarded to the wildlife board.
