Hello COSA,
Summit County, Utah is in the process of acquiring a remarkable 9,000-acre mountain ranch from a fantastic landowner— someone who has cared deeply for this land and its wildlife. As part of the agreement, there is one non-negotiable condition: no hunting will ever be allowed on the property.
As a land manager, I fully respect the landowner’s wishes and the values behind them. At the same time, I’m facing a significant challenge: managing a landscape that supports thousands of elk (spring through late fall, and occasionally into the winter when snow levels are low) without one of the most effective tools traditionally used in wildlife management.
This is uncharted territory for us. I’m reaching out to this group with humility and urgency, looking for wildlife management plans, strategies, or case studies that have successfully addressed similar challenges without relying on hunting. I am fully aware of the challenges ahead of us—but I also know that with the right knowledge and collaboration, we can find a path forward that honors both the landowner’s vision and the ecological balance we’re all working to protect.
If you’ve faced this kind of situation—or have ideas, models, or resources—I would be incredibly grateful for your insight.
All my best,
Jess Kirby, GISP
Lands and Natural Resources Director
Summit County, Utah
o: 435.336.3028
c: 435.602.0308
e: jkirby@summitcountyutah.gov
w: summitcountyutah.gov