RAC approves elk mid‑plan changes, combines general‑season any‑bull weeks into one
Summary
After extended debate and public comment, the Northern RAC accepted the Division's elk mid‑plan recommendations, including restoring an uncapped multi‑season any‑bull permit structure and merging early/late rifle any‑bull weeks into a single season; members flagged crowding concerns and data will be reviewed in a three‑year mid‑plan check.
The Northern Regional Advisory Council voted to accept the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' elk mid‑plan recommendations, including restoring uncapped multi‑season any‑bull permits and combining early and late rifle any‑bull weeks into a single season.
Mike Wardle, the division presenter for the elk mid‑plan review, told members the committee recommended returning the multi‑season any‑bull permit to the pre‑2022 structure and removing the 15,000 any‑bull cap because recent sales have not reached that limit. "We're recommending just to bring it back without a cap the way it was before," Wardle said during the presentation. The first motion to accept the package as originally presented failed (8–1); a subsequent motion to combine the two any‑bull weeks into a single season passed unanimously.
Members pressed staff on biological and social effects, asking how changes would affect age‑class objectives and limited‑entry units. Wardle said most limited‑entry units are at or above age objectives and that two units (Wasatch Mountains and Bitter Creek East) were under objective; he provided unit‑level age and success data on request. The committee highlighted that multi‑season hunters have historically shown slightly higher success rates (about 19–20%) compared with single‑season hunts.
Public commenters at the meeting largely supported restoring multi‑season options. Adam Dennison of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers said his group favored removing the 15,000 cap to "create a lot more opportunity for hunters." Kevin Norman and Angie Wannacott likewise expressed support for expanded opportunity and said combining seasons made sense.
RAC members expressed concern that restoring an uncapped multi‑season could increase crowding, especially among archery hunters. One member noted that archery permit sales rose modestly after the multi‑season any‑bull was removed in 2023; Wardle confirmed archery permit sales rose by roughly 600 permits but characterized it as a relatively small change. Members agreed to treat the mid‑plan changes as a trial with a three‑year review built into the plan.
The RAC recorded two formal votes on the item: an initial motion that failed and a follow‑up motion to combine seasons that carried. The council directed staff to monitor permit sales, success rates, and crowding indicators and report back at the next scheduled mid‑plan review.
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