Utah Softens WMA Access Rule 😒

As we continue to slowly but surely inch back towards the weekend, let’s all take a minute to grab a coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get into what this beautiful Tuesday has to offer.

Here's what's worth reading about so far this week:

PONY UP, PEOPLE
UTAH SOFTENS WMA ACCESS RULE - FROM HUNTING LICENSE REQUIREMENT TO A FREE VIDEO PASS

In what has become another example of bending a knee to a noisy cohort of the population, Utah has repealed a “strict” license-only requirement the state floated last year governing access to certain Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). That original piece of legislation (H.B. 309) was thrust into the spotlight after a Utah trail runner was stopped by wildlife officials who informed him that he was legally required to have a valid hunting or fishing license to recreate on the state land he was using.

Annoyed at the fact that he’d actually have to pony up a few bucks to keep the very ground he was running on in working order, he did what any modern day revolutionary would do; he created an Instagram reel complaining about the new law.

And in a culture that, in many cases, rewards the squeakiest wheel, Utah Governor Spencer Cox did just that by kowtowing to the growing mass of non-paying non-consumptive users. Yes, despite the original rule being a straightforward way to ensure everyone using the resource helped fund it, the newly-introduced H.B. 30 (Wildlife Management Area Amendments) was signed into law last week, giving everyone but hunters and anglers a free pass on certain state lands…

🤦‍♂️ Community Outraged After Driver Repeatedly Runs Over Injured Deer in Manitowoc. Disturbing security footage from outside Manitowoc Auto Repair in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, captured a driver repeatedly running over an already injured deer lying on the side of the road. The vehicle circled the block at least four times, at one point driving on the opposite side of the street, to deliberately hit the animal until it was dead. It remains unclear how the deer was initially injured. The video, which was posted to Facebook and quickly garnered thousands of views, sparked widespread outrage in the community.

Local residents expressed shock and disgust and employees at the repair shop stated that they had witnessed the deer struggling earlier in the day. Manitowoc police are investigating the incident and say criminal charges or fines are possible, though they currently lack enough information to identify the driver. The Wisconsin DNR encourages people to report injured wildlife rather than take matters into their own hands.

📢 NPS Calls on Volunteer Hunters to Battle Invasive Hogs and Nutria in Two National Parks. The National Park Service is actively seeking qualified volunteer hunters to help control invasive and overabundant species at two specific park units. Announced last week, the initiative focuses on humane removal of nutria and feral hogs at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in Louisiana and feral hogs at Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia. These invasive animals damage wetlands, accelerate erosion, reduce biodiversity, out-compete native species, and harm sensitive habitats—including sea turtle nesting beaches and cultural resources. The program expands opportunities for skilled volunteers and permitted participants to assist through controlled hunting and trapping, aligning with broader Trump administration priorities for science-based wildlife management and responsible stewardship on public lands.

“Our parks benefit greatly when skilled volunteers step forward,” Acting Southeast Regional Director Darrell Echols said. “Through these programs, the public can actively help protect native species, wetlands and cultural resources while learning about responsible wildlife management.” Hunters interested in volunteering should monitor NPS announcements for upcoming opportunities at these sites.

👮‍♂️ Indianapolis Police Officer Aaron Mauk Resigns After Poaching Charges. Remember that Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer who made headlines for allegedly poaching three deer without a license last November? Ya, well he officially resigned from the IMPD on March 23rd, just days after being placed on administrative duty once Chief Tanya Terry learned of the formal charges. He submitted his resignation before the department’s internal investigation could be completed and told reporters his departure was unrelated to the case, stating he had “wanted to broaden my horizons for a little while” and had “no ill will” toward the department. The criminal charges remain active, and the internal probe is now pending due to his resignation.

The ten-year vet who had been named officer of the year in his Southeast District in 2023, now faces three misdemeanor counts of unlawful taking of a deer and one count of providing false information to a check station. Indiana DNR conservation officers became suspicious after Mauk checked in the deer (one buck and two antlerless) just minutes after purchasing the required licenses. During interviews in January, his story reportedly changed multiple times before he admitted to killing all three deer without the proper licenses.

🦅 Bald Eagles are straight-up savages. Watch as this fella not only hunts down his prey, but swims his butt to shore while dragging it in his clutches.

Bad ass…

Oh, and one more thing…