The councils play a critical role in wildlife management by reviewing proposals from DWR biologists and gathering public feedback before making recommendations to the Utah Wildlife Board, which ultimately makes decisions that impact wildlife policy statewide.

“This is a great opportunity for Utahns to be involved in shaping how wildlife is managed,” said DWR officials. “We’re looking for people from all walks of life who care about our natural resources and want to make a difference.”

What do RAC members do?

Each of Utah’s five regions — Northern, Northeastern, Central, Southern, and Southeastern — has its own RAC made up of 12 to 15 unpaid volunteers. Members serve terms of up to four years and attend about six meetings per year, usually held on weekday evenings.

At these meetings, RAC members discuss proposals related to hunting seasons, fishing regulations, habitat management, and other wildlife issues. They also review public comments submitted before the meetings. After a vote, the RAC chairperson presents the region’s recommendations to the Wildlife Board.

Meetings are held in person but can be attended virtually if needed.

New rules for applicants

Starting May 7, a new state law adds additional eligibility requirements for RAC members. All applicants must hold a current, valid Utah hunting or combination license, and must have held such a license for at least three of the past five years.

This change is intended to ensure that RAC members are actively engaged with Utah’s outdoor landscape and understand the issues facing wildlife and its users.

Who can apply?

• RAC seats represent six key interest groups:
• Sportsmen (hunters, anglers, and trappers)
• Watchable wildlife advocates (those who don’t hunt or fish)
• Agriculture representatives (farmers and ranchers)
• Locally elected officials
• Federal land-management agencies (such as the U.S. Forest Service or BLM)
• General public (public at large, including businesses)

This year, 17 RAC positions are open across all five regions:

Northern region:

• 2 agriculture representatives
• 1 watchable wildlife representative
• At least 1 public-at-large representative

Northeastern region:

• 1 agriculture representative
• 1 watchable wildlife representative
• 1 elected official

Central region:

• At least 1 public-at-large representative
• 1 elected official
• 1 sportsmen representative

Southern region:

• 1 agriculture representative
• 1 elected official
• 1 sportsmen representative

Southeastern region:

• 1 public-at-large representative
• 1 sportsmen representative
• 1 elected official
• 1 watchable wildlife representative

How to apply

To be considered for a RAC position, you must reside in the region you wish to represent. The application process varies depending on the seat you’re seeking:

• Public-at-large applicants need to be nominated by a local group — such as a town council, political organization, or community club.
• Other roles (agriculture, sportsmen, etc.) require a nomination from a conservation or interest-based organization within your region.
• Federal land management representatives are selected directly by their agencies.

If you’re unsure which organizations to contact, the DWR encourages reaching out to your local DWR office for guidance.

Deadline and next steps

Nominations opened on April 15 and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 31. Those selected will begin their terms during the July and August RAC meetings.

For more information on the regional advisory councils, a list of open seats, or to start the application process, visit the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website at http://wildlife.utah.gov.

Make your voice heard — help guide the future of Utah’s wildlife.