UT - Black Bear Applications Accepted Only On the Web This Year

Applications for Utah black bear hunting permits will be accepted only through the Internet this year.

You can apply for a permit at www.wildlife.utah.gov beginning Feb. 1.

Applications must be received through the Web site no later than 11 p.m. on Feb. 28 to be included in the draw for permits. Draw results will be available by March 29.

"In the past, black bear hunters could apply through the Internet, or with a paper application," says Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing for the DWR. "Because so many people have access to the Internet now, and there are so many advantages to applying online, we won't be accepting paper applications for black bear permits this year."

Tutorow says when you apply online, you can submit your application in a matter of minutes. After you submit your application, you'll receive a confirmation that it was completed correctly and that it will be entered in the draw.

If you make a mistake while applying, the system will warn you about the mistake so you can correct it.

"The Internet provides so many advantages that it doesn't make sense to apply any other way," Tutorow says.

In 2006, more than 6,400 hunters applied for a Utah black bear permit. Of the more than 6,400 hunters, only 230 applied with a paper application. Every year, about 100 hunters who applied with a paper application the year before switch to the Internet and apply online. "Based on that trend, we believe there will be about 100 hunters who wanted to apply with a paper application this year," she says.

If you don't have a computer, Tutorow says there are plenty of places to find one.

"If you don't have access to the Internet, come into a DWR office," she says. "You can use one of our computers, and we'd be happy to help you apply.

"Public libraries also have computers and librarians who can help you use them. And you probably know someone who has a computer in their home and would be happy to help you use it."

If you have questions, or need assistance, please call the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

Get Permission First

Tutorow encourages hunters to obtain written permission from landowners before applying for a hunt that occurs on private land. "Written permission is required to hunt private property, and we encourage hunters to obtain that permission before applying," Tutorow says. "We don't want hunters to draw a permit and then find they can't use it because landowners won't give them permission to hunt the area."

The DWR doesn't have a list of people who own land where black bear hunts occur, so hunters need to take the time needed to locate the landowners.

Less than 25 percent of Utah's black bear hunts occur on private property. Hunts that do occur on private property are indicated by an asterisk in the 2007 Utah Black Bear Proclamation, which will be available by Feb. 1.

Utah's spring bear season runs April 7 - May 31. The state's fall hunt runs Aug. 25 - Sept. 30 and Nov. 1 - 25.

For more information, call Utah Wildlife Administrative Services at 1-800-221-0659, the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

UT - Get Extra Deer Hunting Opportunities

You can hunt all three general deer hunting seasons in your favorite region in Utah by joining the state's Dedicated Hunter program.

"Hunters who join the program are guaranteed a permit for the region of their choice. After what happened in 2006, that's a big incentive to join," says Jill West, coordinator of volunteers for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

In 2006, all of the permits for the Central, Northeastern, Southeastern and Southern regions were taken in the big game draw.

"Based on what happened last year, we anticipate that permits for all four of those regions will go again in the draw this year," West says. "Dedicated hunters don't have to worry that they won't get a permit, though, because they're guaranteed a permit for the region of their choice."

In addition to receiving a guaranteed permit, those who join the program get a chance to help Utah's wildlife by volunteering on wildlife conservation projects.

Must Join by Feb. 16

To join the three-year program, hunters must complete an online Wildlife Conservation course and submit an application no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 16.

After paying their program registration fees and completing some additional requirements, hunters will receive a deer hunting permit for the region of their choice and a chance to hunt all three general seasons in that region.

The Wildlife Conservation course is available online at the Dedicated Hunter Web site (www.wildlife.utah.gov/dh/). The course takes about 45 minutes to complete.

Hunters who don't have access to the Internet should contact their nearest DWR regional office to make arrangements to take the course.

Additional Requirements

After completing the Wildlife Conservation course, hunters must pay their program fee ($195 for most residents and $1,032 for most nonresidents) by Feb. 16. The fee includes a participant's deer hunting permits, for the region of their choice, during the three years they're in the program.

More information about the program is available on page 26 of the 2007 Utah Big Game Proclamation and at wildlife.utah.gov/dh/ on the Web. Those with questions may also call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

"The program provides hunters extra deer hunting opportunities in the region they want to hunt and helps them give back to Utah's wildlife by working on wildlife conservation projects," West said. "Hunters who have been in the program have really enjoyed it."

Tips for deer bow hunting in tree stands from the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Western Hunting Expo permits

Why come to the Western Hunting Conservation Expo? The Hunting Expo offers many important reasons for sportsmen from throughout Utah and across the United States to attend, including:

If you have ever dreamed of taking a 400-inch bull elk or a 35-inch mule deer buck, or moose, bison, bighorn, desert bighorn, or mountain goat, you must come and apply in person Jan. 17-20, 2007.

200 of Utah’s most valuable and coveted trophy hunting permits in the West are available by drawing to every sportsman who attends the Hunting Expo and applies in person.

There will be NO bonus points, waiting periods, resident or non-resident restrictions or limitations for these coveted permits.

150 of the best hunts in the Western United States, Canada, and Mexico will be auctioned at the Expo.

More than 500 of the world’s top hunting and fishing guides, equipment manufacturers, retailers and other exhibitors will assemble under one roof to display goods, services, equipment and advice to attendees.

Karl Malone, Comedian Jeff Foxworthy, and numerous celebrity icons within the hunting industry will be in attendance for a variety of appearances, special events, and seminars. Many of these events will be FREE to the public.

3 of the nation’s 5 leading sportsmen/wildlife conservation organizations (FNAWS, MDF, SFH) will hold a first-time-ever Joint National Convention in Salt Lake City during the Expo .

Contribute to conservation: Your attendance and any purchases made or application fees paid will go directly to purchase deer and elk winter range in western North America, fund habitat improvement projects on federal lands, transplant new herds and flocks of huntable species, and protect hunters’ rights.

Join FNAWS, MDF, SFH for their annual national conventions.

Enjoy celebrity entertainment, world-class speakers and presenters.

Meet thousands of fellow sportsmen who share your love of conservation and hunting and fishing.

Raise awareness for Wildlife Conservation and Hunting. The Hunting Expo is a tremendous opportunity for sportsmen to come together and raise large amounts for local wildlife conservation and awareness of hunting and wildlife conservation issues.

http://huntexpo.com