08-09-2024, 11:44 AM
FYI - I submitted the following to the RAC through the on-line function at the link given above. I would encourage you to use that function for any of the proposals that you disagree with. It is unlikely that anything you say on this forum will be seen by any DWR folks working these proposals.
"I’m very concerned about increasing the hole size through the ice on Flaming Gorge, and my concern is this. Ice fishing is very much a family sport that can and does include many children of all ages. Allowing holes through the ice larger than 18” is creating an unwanted safety issue. Younger children are constantly roaming and playing on the ice while the parents are attending to fishing, enjoying adult beverages, and conversing with other adults. Parents may be unaware of the existence of holes larger than typical ice auger size (generally 10” or less) through the ice in the area they are fishing. Very young children would not be aware of the dangers of these holes and could possibly fall into one of them undetected by the parents. My thoughts are this. Wyoming should be reducing the hole size to that which Utha has, not Utah increasing to that of Wyoming.
Another consideration would be that this could also impact the safety of a person riding an ATV/UTV and have one or more tires go through causing an accident that would likely cause injury or death to one or more passengers in/on the ATV/UTV.
It appears on the surface that this is aimed at allowing spear fishing through the ice at Flaming Gorge. Why? The number of people that spear fish is likely less than 1,000 in either state. Compared to the hundreds of thousands of line anglers in the state (Utah had 604,000 plus license sales in 2023 not counting combo licenses), spear fishing involves about one half of one percent (0.5%) of the total fishing population. Why would either state cater to such a small percentage of the recreational user? This makes no sense to me at all.
Please feel free to contact me with regard to this issue. My phone number is (801) XXX-XXXX."
"I’m very concerned about increasing the hole size through the ice on Flaming Gorge, and my concern is this. Ice fishing is very much a family sport that can and does include many children of all ages. Allowing holes through the ice larger than 18” is creating an unwanted safety issue. Younger children are constantly roaming and playing on the ice while the parents are attending to fishing, enjoying adult beverages, and conversing with other adults. Parents may be unaware of the existence of holes larger than typical ice auger size (generally 10” or less) through the ice in the area they are fishing. Very young children would not be aware of the dangers of these holes and could possibly fall into one of them undetected by the parents. My thoughts are this. Wyoming should be reducing the hole size to that which Utha has, not Utah increasing to that of Wyoming.
Another consideration would be that this could also impact the safety of a person riding an ATV/UTV and have one or more tires go through causing an accident that would likely cause injury or death to one or more passengers in/on the ATV/UTV.
It appears on the surface that this is aimed at allowing spear fishing through the ice at Flaming Gorge. Why? The number of people that spear fish is likely less than 1,000 in either state. Compared to the hundreds of thousands of line anglers in the state (Utah had 604,000 plus license sales in 2023 not counting combo licenses), spear fishing involves about one half of one percent (0.5%) of the total fishing population. Why would either state cater to such a small percentage of the recreational user? This makes no sense to me at all.
Please feel free to contact me with regard to this issue. My phone number is (801) XXX-XXXX."
Bob Hicks, from Utah
I'm 82 years young and going as hard as I can for as long as I can.
"Free men do not ask permission to bear arms."
I'm 82 years young and going as hard as I can for as long as I can.
"Free men do not ask permission to bear arms."