Some counties and cities in Utah are seeking to implement a total restriction on hunting. This comes in the wake of a couple elk that were shot in the Round Valley near Park City, and thought to be an act of poaching. Investigators are still pursuing more information as to whether or not the two harvests were legal. Nonetheless, it has kindled the argument that hunting does not have a place near Park City. Even though city and county governments do not possess the authority to restrict hunting, they stand by their emotional appeal to change regulation.
The area under scrutiny is the Round Valley of the Salt Lake Wasatch Mountains. Park City residents continue to argue that, due to the enjoyment of recreational activities such as hiking and skiing, hunters discharging their rifles would endanger other people.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Alta is another town bringing a stop to hunting. Alta is a skiing destination that rests near the Little Cottonwood Canyon. Their Wildlife Board agreed to put a stop to hunting without consulting the State Department of Wildlife Resources. This action remains yet another political clash between emotion, science, and the tradition of conservation.
The Utah Department of Wildlife Resources acknowledge that such attempt to ban hunting is outside the scope of city or county authority. Since the Round Valley rests within public land, it is a legal hunting ground.
Utah’s Elk and Deer population has been steadily rising. This means that more land is open for hunters. In addition, people do not need to travel as far away from cities to hunt anymore due to this increase. Thus, it is in the best interest of conservation that these public lands remain open to hunting.
What are your thoughts on the possible hunting ban in Utah?
