Local sportsmen say they want the Division of Wildlife Resources to increase the number of elk in Juab County.
Fifty-nine people attended a meeting held by Bruce C. Giunta, regional game manager, and Benjamin W. Morris, game biologist, to take comments on the plan the division has for the Nebo elk herd.Those who attended the public hearing were asked to fill out a questionnaire, but all interested persons can write to Wildlife Resources and comment on the plans for the elk herd. The letters must be submitted to Giunta and Morris, 1115 N. Main Street, Springville, UT 84663-1055.
Giunta said the 1992 session of the Legislature directed the Division of Wildlife Resources to develop a plan for each elk herd in the state. He said there are 40 elk units and 70 deer units in the state.
"Last year we did half of the elk units," said Giunta. Manti has the largest unit and the Deep Creek area of Juab County has the smallest.
Bull harvest, a good indicator of long-term population, has been relatively stable. Since 1980, the annual bull harvest has ranged from 143 to 219 per year.
"Yearling bull-only hunting began in 1992 and resulted in a harvest of 150 yearling animals," said Giunta. The system achieves a herd of the size, age and structure of an unhunted herd. "The Nebo unit is perhaps the most stable elk population in Utah," he said.
The bulk of the herd is found on the northern portion, which includes Mount Nebo and Loafer Peak. Two or three loose groups of elk are found west of I-15 and U-132. These elk move westward through freeway underpasses to the Dog, Ferner and Sage Valley areas. There are few elk in the East Tintic Mountains.
Elk winter range is all along the west side of the unit from the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon south to Nephi. Elk in Juab Valley offer few public benefits and are a burden on landowners.
Much of the elk range borders on privately owned agricultural croplands and depredation by elk occurs at varying times. Elk feed in alfalfa meadows or on stored alfalfa hay in the wintertime.
The plan proposes maintaining the total elk population at the current size - 800 to 1,000 total elk. It would limit the elk population on the western portion of the unit to no more than 154, eliminate or remove the elk population in Juab Valley, and utilize selected antlerless hunting seasons.
Dave Worwood asked why the number of elk on Nebo was being held to 1,000. "Why is the number so conservative?" he asked. "Why not shoot for 1,400?" Morris said he believes the range would handle 1,400 elk.
Giunta introduced the Juab Wildlife Landowner Committee to those present. Members of the committee are Ross Garrett, Lynn Bailey, Robert Steele, Tim Hannifin, Dave Worwood and Al Robb.
"This committee, appointed by the county commission, has the ability and authority to deal with a variety of issues," said Giunta. The Big Game Board and the Wildlife Interagency Committee will listen to the group. "Their influence will be considerable," he said.