Beginning this fall, sage grouse hunters must obtain a permit that will allow them to hunt only on the unit for which the permit is issued. A 9-day season that includes two weekends will be offered on each unit. Each hunter may take a total of two birds.

In the past, an unlimited number of permits have been available and hunters have been allowed to hunt on any unit open to sage grouse hunting in the state.

Changes regarding sharp-tailed grouse permits, youth upland game hunts and the Goshen Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area were also among items approved by the Utah Wildlife Board at a meeting June 11 in Vernal.

The recommendations approved by the Board are for the 2002, 2003 and 2004 seasons.

Sage-Grouse Rules

The goal of the limited-entry sage grouse rule is to assure that not more than 10 percent of the fall sage grouse population in any open area is taken during the hunting season. This strategy is based on "Guidelines to Manage Sage Grouse Populations And Their Habitats" which was published by a group of sage grouse experts in the Winter 2000 issue of The Wildlife Society Bulletin. These guidelines are a revision of guidelines that have guided sage grouse management in the western United States since 1977.

"Habitat loss, changes to habitat and predation are among the reasons sage-grouse populations are in decline in Utah," said Dean Mitchell, upland game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "We're comfortable offering sage grouse hunting, however, as long as not more than 10 percent of the fall population in any open area is taken each season. This permit system will help assure that."

The following areas will be open to sage grouse hunting, with the following number of permits available:
Box Elder County 267
Rich County 58
Uintah Basin 145
Parker Mountain 170

Permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis at DWR offices beginning August 6. A $5 handling fee will be charged for each permit. Permit application forms will be available in the 2002 - 2004 Utah Upland Game Proclamation, at all DWR offices and on the DWR's Internet Web site (www.wildlife.utah.gov).

Utah's 2002 sage grouse season will run September 21 - 29 on all four units. The only exception is for falconers. Falconers who obtain a permit for Box Elder County can hunt in the county from August 14, 2002 to February 15, 2003. Falconers who obtain a permit for any of the other units can hunt from September 2, 2002 to February 28, 2003.

Sharp-tailed Grouse Permits

Drought in eastern Box Elder County over the past two years, and a hard winter in the area this past winter, are among reasons sharp-tailed grouse numbers in the area have declined since last year. Because of the lower populations, the Board voted to lower sharp-tailed grouse permits from the 663 offered last year, to 143 for this fall.

The 143 sharp-tailed grouse permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at DWR offices beginning August 6. Application forms will be available in the 2002 - 2004 Utah Upland Game Proclamation, at all DWR offices and on the DWR Web site.

A $5 handling fee will be charged for each sharp-tailed grouse permit. Hunters may obtain one permit which will allow them to take two birds during a 9-day season. Utah's 2002 sharp-tailed grouse season runs November 2 - 10.

Youth Upland Game Hunts

Utah's Youth Upland Game Hunts will also see some changes beginning this fall.

To reduce crowding, the Board voted to lower the number of hunters allowed on the Mallard Springs Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to 30 total hunters, split into two hunts. The Board also lowered the total number of hunters allowed on the Willard Bay WMA to 90 hunters, split into three hunts.

The location of the youth hunt offered annually on a private commercial hunting area in southeastern Utah has also been changed. The hunt will now be held at the Huntington WMA.

Five youth upland game hunts will be held in Utah on November 9. Application forms for the hunts will be available in the 2002 - 2004 Utah Upland Game Proclamation and from DWR offices and the DWR's Internet Web site. The forms should be available in late July.

Goshen Warm Springs WMA Closure

Because of elevated levels of lead, arsenic and other heavy metals discovered last month at the Goshen Warm Springs WMA in Utah County, the Board voted to keep the WMA closed to public access for at least the next three years.

For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office, or the Division's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.