Utah Deer Population: The state estimated 335,000 at the end of 2022 and 305,700 mule deer in 2021, above the recent low of 268,180 in 2003, but about the same as the 1998 population of 307,500. Estimated at 314,850 in 2020, down from 372,500 in 2018. The peak population over the last 25 years was in 2015 with an estimated 384,650 deer after four mild winters. The harsh 2016-17 winter prompted emergency feeding and reduced the herd. Drought in 2018 and 2016 also reduced the herd. A 40 year downward trend from a peak population of about 600,000 in the 1950s and 1960s.
Utah Deer News
New Research Sheds Light on How Artificial Lighting Can Influence Risk of Roadkill June 6, 2023 Utah State University
... Newly published research ... found that the deer tended to make their way across roads where surrounding artificial light was especially low... opens an opportunity to design interventions that better support wildlife with things like targeted placement of fences, signs to inform drivers, improved lighting and wildlife crossing structures...
New deer crossing tech will alert drivers when wildlife is nearby May 9, 2023 Utah, KSL NewsRadio
... “[The sign] uses infrared technology to sense as the deer get close to the highway,” said Josee Seamons, a biologist with the Division of Wildlife Resources. When animals get close, the system can alert drivers to nearby wildlife in real time...
DWR releases new app for shed antlers for deer, elk, and more May 8, 2023 Utah, abc4.com
... According to the DWR, the app was created to increase efficiency and improve its responsiveness to the public... It is illegal in the State of Utah to pick up animal parts without a possession license...
Utah Wildlife Board approves decrease in 2023 big game hunting permits, other items May 5, 2023 Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
... For the fifth consecutive year, the Utah Wildlife Board approved a decrease in the number of general-season deer hunting permits... The current deer management plan includes an objective to have 404,000 deer across Utah — there are currently an estimated 335,000 deer in the state..,
Help decide how wildlife is managed in Utah by applying to be on a Regional Advisory Council
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources May 2, 2023 Utah.gov
... Each of the five RACs consists of 12–15 members, and those members — who are all unpaid volunteers — can serve up to four years on the council. Each RAC holds about six public meetings a year...
Utah to reduce deer tags after winter devastates population in the north May 1, 2023 Salt Lake Tribune
... Hammered by record drought in recent years, deer in Utah’s northern counties are now emerging from one of the harshest winters on record. Many didn’t make it ... snow totals were far above average in southern Utah, they were not high enough to harm deer and have revitalized land ravaged by extreme drought..,
Video Below: The winter of 2022/23 has been extremely tough for wildlife, especially in northern Utah for our deer, elk and even moose. So in this episode, we going dive into some questions about Utah's deer survival. What parts of the state are doing okay? Which parts got hit hard? How's it looking? What about tag numbers for hunters? We talk to biologists, managers with the DWR, and even BYU professors to see what their data is showing them. - April 17, 2023 Utah
Utah Wildlife Officials Forced To Shoot Bull Elk Trapped High On A Cliff April 14, 2023 Utah, Whiskey Riff
... an estimated population of around 75,000 [elk] ... That bull was up on that cliff crevasse for 2 to 3 days and when they realized that bull wasn’t able to get down on its own, he became a hazard to bystanders and vehicles driving by..,
Information wanted on pregnant deer illegally killed in Washington County April 6, 2023 Utah, fox13now
... The deer was found on February 21 in the area of Cottonwood Road, although officials didn't disclose an exact location...
DWR releases recommendations for 2023 big game hunting permits April 4, 2023 Utah Division of Wildlife News
.. . The current deer management plan includes an objective to have 404,000 deer across Utah — there are currently an estimated 335,000 deer in the state. [Estimate from December, 2022] … For the fifth consecutive year, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is recommending a decrease in the number of general-season deer hunting permits… DWR biologists are recommending a total of 71,600 general-season deer hunting permits, which is a 1,475-permit decrease from the previous year. Of the 31 total deer hunting units across the state, 10 are being recommended for decreased permit numbers from the previous year...
... "For several years, we have had more demand for deer hunting in Utah than we have the supply for," Mangus said. "While it is hard to see the negative impacts of the severe winter in northern Utah, it is exciting to see high fawn production and very high survival of does and fawns in southern Utah…
Drought, record snowfall will decrease deer hunting permits again this year April 4, 2023 Fox13
... For the fifth consecutive year, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is recommending a decrease in the number of general-season deer hunting permits ... The most important factors that drive deer population numbers are the survival rates of doe deer, fawn production and fawn survival after the winter..,
DWR closes 24 wildlife management areas to help protect wintering deer in northern, central Utah April 3, 2023 EIN News
... Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is extending their closure through April 30 — and also closing additional WMAs in central Utah through the end of April — in an effort to help protect wintering deer and other big game in these areas... DWR Big Game Coordinator Dax Mangus said. "Unfortunately, the deer herds in the northern areas of the state were hit pretty hard this winter, and despite our feeding efforts, we are seeing high mortality rates in some areas ...
Utah steps up reputation as a national leader in wildlife crossings March 28, 2023 KSL
... Utah earned its spot as the first in the nation to install a wildlife crossing nearly 50 years ago... nearly 5,000 deer and 1,000 elk are killed in vehicle collisions in Utah each year ...
Tenacious herd of elk find way back to Salt Lake City 1 week after relocation March 27, 2023 Fox Illinois
... approximately 40 elk — from a herd of around 80 — migrated back down the canyon, with half on the grounds of a nearby golf course. They said there are no current plans to move the elk, but they will be discussing what to do once it stops snowing...
I-80 to close as wildlife officials try to move elk herd off Salt Lake City golf course March 19, 2023 Utah, KSL
... they escaped the snow-packed canyon looking for food. But several elk were even killed by vehicles in the process... Wildlife biologists and police will form a "human line" that will slowly walk toward the elk herd ...
Utah Approves $20 Million for Wildlife Crossings March 15, 2023 Public News Service
... the funds can be spent over time. Owens added the federal government needs to approve a four-to-one match, which would make a grand total of $100 million available for the projects statewide...
'We love having them here': Deer find life at Salt Lake City Cemetery March 14, 2023 Utah, KSL
... Mule deer often find a home here at the cemetery, especially this time of the year ... "We get a lot of comments on it and a lot of people choose this location for their resting place because of the wildlife we have here." ...
Fatal chronic wasting disease continues to spread in deer March 9, 2023 Utah, Moab Sun News
... The Moab area has the unfortunate distinction of having the highest known rates in Utah of CWD among mule deer ... “a 5% prevalence of infection likely has been reached in Unit 13,” an area that includes the La Sal Mountains, the town of Moab, and north to Interstate 70... The DWR recently began a new study of mule deer in the Moab area ...
Harsh winter pushes wildlife to Utah roads with over 1,000 killed this year March 9, 2023 Utah, KSL TV
... Animals are coming down mountains all across Utah looking for food because of the deep snowpack in higher elevations. Often, they end up near roads that have been plowed because it is easier to get around... “We do have a lot of elk and deer down low,” ..,
Deer rescued after falling into Midway geothermal hot pot March 8, 2023 Utah, abc4.com on MSN18h
... officials had to make lassos out of ropes and catch the deer by its front and rear... now doing okay ...
Group calls for Cox to veto Utah bill that opens door for year-round cougar hunting March 7, 2023 Utah, Deseret News
... HB469 ... removes the state's current program so that anyone with a hunting license can harvest cougars throughout the year without a tag... the Western Wildlife Conservancy are calling on Cox to veto the bill over the year-round cougar provision...
Don’t blame cougars for the fact that deer are losing habitat to humans. March 6, 2023 Utah, The Salt Lake Tribune -Opinion
... Utah consistently kills more cougars each year than almost every other state. The total sport kill starting with season 2015-16 through season 21-22 steadily rose: 372, 430, 452, 532, 596, 667, 753... If there are roughly 2,500 cougars in Utah, as estimated by DWR, this means that Utah is now killing one third of its cougar population each year..,
New bill brings worries over open season on hunting Utah cougars March 3, 2023 Utah, Fox 13
... Faith Heaton Jolley with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources says ... “Cougars are the biggest predator of mule deer, and so in areas where we had enacted some of our predator management plans, we actually had seen an increase in the adult does and other deer in those areas.” ..,
Utah elk crossing freeways need wildlife crossings February 22, 2023 Deseret News
... another herd of elk has seen been trying to cross the highway. Over the past few weeks, at least 35 elk have been killed ... this week ... a bipartisan group of state legislators voted to approve $20 million for the design and construction of wildlife crossings ...
DWR reminds pet owners it's illegal to allow dogs to chase, harass big game animals
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources February 13, 2023 Utah.gov
... Due to the deep snowfall this winter, deer, elk and other big game animals have migrated into lower-elevation areas looking for food sources. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wants to remind dog owners to keep their pets under control after several recent instances where deer and other big game were chased by dogs, and an elk was injured...
DWR issues emergency statewide ban on ‘shed hunting’ amid harsh winter conditions February 7, 2023 Utah, abc4.com
... emergency closure to “shed hunting” in an effort to help wintering big game, particularly deer populations. The last time shed hunting was prohibited in Utah was 2017..,
The $725K Mule Deer Tag: Auction Tags Set All-Time Record at Western Hunt Expo Febraury 6, 2023 Utah, Outdoor Live
... The chance to hunt a single mule deer buck this fall on Utah’s Antelope Island had just been sold for $500,000, which is $90,000 more than the previous record price, set in 2016 ... a Nevada man bought the Arizona Statewide Mule Deer Tag for $725,000 ...
How a 5-year-old Interior order is changing Utah, Western big game wildlife policy February 4, 2023 Utah, KSL
... Secretarial Order 3362 ultimately sparked about $20 million in habitat conservation and management funds ... $2.5 million in mapping support... Those funds are helping state and federal wildlife biologists and managers gain a better understanding of wildlife migration patterns for mule deer, elk and other big game wildlife, fueling new projects and land policies along the way...
DWR implements deer feeding protocols at 12 locations in northern Utah February 1, 2023 Utah Public Radio
... biologists have determined that conditions for deer are tough enough to necessitate supplemental feeding at eleven locations... the pellets that we're feeding, they're specially formulated, so the deer can easily digest them...
Mule Deer Foundation Announces Major New Partnerships with USDA Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management February 3, 2023 Utah, Mule Deer Foundation News
... The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) announced today expanded partnerships with the USDA Forest Service and the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that will leverage millions of dollars with MDF to implement habitat restoration projects across the West... The agreements with the Forest Service are for up to 20 years and will allocate as much as $60 million over the first 5 years for forest health projects that will improve wildlife habitat while also reducing the severity of wildfires ...
Multiple elk killed, euthanized after being hit by vehicles in Salt Lake City February 1, 2023 Utah, Fox 13
... The Utah Department of Transportation warned drivers just before 9 a.m. that the herd was near the I-80/I-215 interchange...
Mountain lions are a vital part of Utah's ecosystem; their conservation is a collaborative effort January 29, 2023, KSL
... current estimates vary, there could be as many as 30,000 mountain lions in the U.S. ... With recent droughts, the mule deer population has been declining, which has led to increased hunting limits for mountain lions. DeBloois said the state estimates approximately 2,300 mountain lions call Utah home, though, that number can never be decisively determined...
Oh deer! Herd of elk strands itself between a neighborhood and a highway January 27, 2023, Utah, NBC Montana
... Those members of the deer family arrived from the Salt Lake Valley's eastern foothills and stranded themselves on a strip of land dividing Interstate 80 from the neighborhood behind it...
DWR establishes feeding areas in Summit County to help struggling deer survive the winter January 23, 2023 Utah, TownLift
... formulated pellets will be dispersed to help meet the nutritional need of deer. Biologists only use these pellets to feed deer, while food sources such as alfalfa, grass hay, or other products will not be used... “Deer will eat hay, but if that is their only source of feed during the winter, they can have a very difficult time digesting it,” Christensen said. “We often find dead deer with stomachs filled with hay ..,
Want to gather shed antlers from Feb. 1 through April 15? Take the free, mandatory ethics course January 20, 2023 Utah Division of Wildlife Resources - Utah.gov
... Collecting shed antlers from many big game species, including deer, elk and moose, is a popular pastime in Utah. But before you head outdoors to collect shed antlers during the next few months, you are required to complete the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Antler Gathering Ethics course...
3 recent cases where DWR K-9 officers made the difference January 18, 2023, By Faith Heaton Jolley, Utah
DWR
... "Our dogs are trained in wildlife odor detection, which enhances our investigation into illegally taken animals. The dogs are also excellent trackers which has proven to be beneficial in search-and-rescue situations...
DWR, UDOT install structures to help wildlife, fish migration across Utah Januay 10, 2023 Utah, ABC4 Utah
... Approximately 4,900 deer were killed in vehicle collisions in 2022 ... studies have shown implementing crossing structures and fences will reduce 90% of wildlife-vehicle collisions in an area..,
Interested in deciding how wildlife is managed in Utah? Apply for a position on the Utah Wildlife Board in 2023 December 19, 2022 Utah DNR News
... The application period for the two wildlife board positions runs from Jan. 1 at 12:01 a.m. to March 31 at 5 p.m. Applicants are not required to have a college degree, but they do need to list any organizations or associations they have been a member of for the previous five years. You can apply for one of the positions at this website: boards.utah.gov/s/. The application will not be available on the website until Jan. 1. ...
What do we know about COVID-19's impacts on Southern Utah's wildlife? December 18, 2022 St George News
... A female mule deer from Morgan County tested positive for the delta variant and researchers found antibodies in blood samples from several other deer, indicating the virus had already been present in the population ...
'It is important for us': Why Utah developed an app to report roadkill December 11, 2022, Utah, KSL.com
... The Utah Roadkill Reporter app ... t having all of this information makes it possible to come up with solutions that eliminate collisions from happening in those areas. This could mean new fencing, underpasses, wildlife overpasses or anything else that can help avoid wildlife collisions...
Division of Wildlife Resources captures deer with helicopters for yearly health check December 8, 2022 Utah, abc4.com
... a helicopter? DWR said it’s easier, safer and not detrimental to the deer. “A short period of stress for the deer typically doesn’t affect these deer at all,” Hadley said...
New Utah roadkill app hopes to improve human and animal roadway safety December 8, 2022 Utah, KSL TV
... It’s free of course in both Google Play and Apple app stores and available now. It uses GPS tracking and also requires users to sign in with Google or Facebook and asks for a phone number... [about the app]
Utah Wildlife Board approves new statewide elk management plan, changes to elk hunting and 2023–24 big game hunting season dates December 2, 2022 Utah Division of Wildlife
... "The demand for elk hunting in Utah has continued to grow over the years," DWR Big Game Coordinator Dax Mangus said. "In 2014, the over-the-counter any bull elk permits sold out in 77 days, and the spike-only elk permits sold out in 84 days. In 2022, the any bull elk permits sold out in five hours and the spike elk permits sold out in only nine hours. We want to implement several strategies to respond to these dramatic increases in demand for general-season elk hunting opportunities, as well as find ways to address continued 'point creep' in the limited-entry system." ...
Aerial reseeding of crucial watershed hopes to improve habitat in Central Utah November 30, 2021 Utah, Fox 13
...the project began with mulching juniper trees which had overcrowded other vegetation. Another phase involved ‘reseeding’ the area ... interest in improving the deer population in this specific area after years of decline...
Keeping count of Utah’s deer population November 30, 2022 abc4.com
... “Fawn-to-doe ratios are used to estimate populations overall,” [biologist Xaela Walden] ... a harsh winter two years ago, followed by a tamer winter last year and then a rainy summer meant many does have lost their fawns..,
Some 33,000 shrubs coming for Utah ungulates November 24, 2022 Utah, Gephardt Daily
... “Deer and elk depend upon woody shrubs species like sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush during the winter for food. Restoring shrub species on the landscape will help these animals maintain good health through the winter, which will increase their survival rates and promote population growth.”...
DWR proposes new statewide elk management plan, changes to elk hunting October 29, 2022 Utah, DWR News
... We are proposing several strategies to respond to these dramatic increases in demand for general-season elk hunting opportunities, as well as find ways to address continued 'point creep' in the limited-entry system."... The public comment period opened on Oct. 25 for each of the five Regional Advisory Council meetings and for the Utah Wildlife Board meeting ...
Tips to avoid deer/vehicle collisions after daylight saving time ends Nov. 6 October 18, 2022 Utah Division of Wildlife Resources - Utah.gov
... In 2012, there were approximately 10,000 deer-vehicle collisions, according to a DWR study. However, those numbers are likely lower now because more fences and wildlife bridges have been installed along migration routes across Utah highways in recent years, as part of the Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative...
Drought, population growth have made deer tags harder to come by October 8, 2022 Utah, The Herald Journal
... This year 110,818 Utah residents applied for 45,560 general deer tags. That’s a success rate of about 41%. For these same hunts, 10,332 nonresidents applied for 3,571 tags, a success rate of 35%. This is tougher than it was a short time ago. In 2010, 93,379 residents applied for 70,033 tags, a success rate of 75%...
Utah hunters urged to visit DWR check stations to test deer for chronic wasting disease September 28, 2022 Utah DWR News
... The disease was first discovered in Utah in 2002 in a buck deer taken during the rifle hunt near Vernal. Currently, 158 mule deer and 3 elk have tested positive for CWD in Utah. However, it isn't widespread in the state and is only found in six hunting units in Utah — primarily in a few counties in central, northeastern and southeastern Utah...
What hunters should know for the 2022 Utah deer and elk hunts August 17, 2022 Utah Division of Wildlife Resources - Utah.gov
... The current statewide mule deer management plan includes an objective to have just over 400,000 deer across Utah — there are currently an estimated 305,700 deer in the state... "We still need a few more years with favorable weather patterns to help us fully recover from drought and increase deer numbers" ... Elk populations are more stable ..,
Deer killed by unleashed dog near popular hiking path in Draper August 12, 2022 Utah, KUTV
... “They found a deer that had for lack of a better word kind of mauled by a dog, and ultimately the deer's injuries were so much that the officers put the deer down,” ...
Cinnamon Creek WMA open as improvements begin August 10, 2022 Utah, Cache Valley Daily
... an important summer range for mule deer, elk and moose ... The Cinnamon Creek Wildlife Management Area was ... added to the 192-wildlife management areas in Utah... Four conservation groups, including the Mule Deer Foundation ... joined with the state and provided extensive funding for the purchase ...
Utah's drought is less severe than last year, but it isn't over yet July 13, 2022 Utah Public Radio
... like in 2018, we had some drought, and we had a deer fawn die off where … a lot of young deer died. And it's going to take years for that to recover ..,
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources proposes hunting and fishing license fee increase to keep up with inflation July 12, 2022 KSL NewsRadio
... a 10% fee increase ... 92% of the agency’s budget is actually funded by hunting and fishing permits ...
Mule Deer Foundation Receives Funds to Hire Dakota Grasslands Habitat Partnership Coordinator June 20, 2022 Utah, Mule Deer Foundation News
... The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) was awarded a $270,000 grant to hire a habitat partnership coordinator in the Dakota Grasslands region through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) Northern Great Plains program...
Chronic wasting disease confirmed in deer for first time in Salt Lake County June 18, 2022 Utah, DNR News
... Chronic wasting disease was first detected in mule deer in Utah in 2002 in northeastern Utah, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recently confirmed it has now spread to deer in Salt Lake County too...
How to stay safe during a moose encounter June 9, 2022 Utah, Park City News
... Utah is home to between 2,500 and 3,000 moose... Cow moose can be aggressive when they have calves in the spring and summer, and bull moose can be aggressive and territorial during the fall breeding season..,
Cougar videos, sightings in Utah, the West increase with growth, drought June 5, 2022 KSL
... with the drought, deer and elk populations are suffering, and DeBloois said mountain lions could be next. "We've seen some declines in mule deer numbers that we think (are) drought-related," he said. "You do expect to eventually see a decrease in mountain lion numbers that's tied to that, but there can be quite a lag. It could be several years." ...
Utah Wildlife Board approves decrease in general-season deer permits for 2022 April 29, 2022 Utah Division of Wildlife Resources News
... The current management plan includes an objective to have just over 400,000 deer across Utah — there are currently an estimated 305,700 deer in the state. “We’ve had several years of drought and are still facing ongoing extreme drought conditions statewide, which has a significant impact on the survival rates of deer,” DWR Big Game Coordinator Covy Jones said..,
Video below from the Utah Department of Natural Resources, The Wildlife Board Meeting, April 28, 2022
Utah DWR to auction antlers and furs from poached wildlife April 24, 2022 The Salt Lake Tribune
... In 2019, poachers killed nearly 300 big game animals, according to DWR... DWR’s antler auctions generally take place every four years ...
Record $4.2 million raised for habitat restoration, other wildlife projects through 2022 conservation permits April 8, 2022 Utah DNR News
... Dozens of large wildlife research, conservation and habitat restoration projects have been funded after a record $4.2 million was committed to the projects by participating conservation groups during the annual conservation permit project funding meeting held on Wednesday...
Video below: DWR RAC Meeting - Central Region 4/5/2022. Utah Department of Natural Resources
Utah mule deer is 1st in U.S. to test positive for COVID-19 March 29, 2022 Salt Lake Tribune
... wildlife employees swabbed the noses of nearly 300 mule deer last year ... confirmed the country’s first case of COVID-19 ... Only one mule deer tested positive ... [from DWR]
Utah DWR proposes fewer general-season deer permits for 2022 March 24, 2022 KUTV Salt Lake City
... The current management plan includes an objective to have just over 400,000 deer across Utah — there are currently an estimated 305,700 deer in the state... “We’ve had several years of drought and are still facing ongoing extreme drought conditions in the state, which has a significant impact on the survival rates of deer,” ..,
Why UDOT will now include wildlife mitigation in annual Utah road reports March 22, 2022 Utah, KSL.com
... The rising number of crashes and likelihood for future crashes is why UDOT is now required to include wildlife and livestock mitigation analyses in its annual report to state legislators ...
Utah tweaks conservation permit program to improve revenue transparency March 20, 2022 Utah, KSL
... In 2020, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources issued 326 permits to conservation partners — less than 2% of all permits that year. Those permits were then auctioned off, generating $5.2 million... 293 permits brought in another $6.1 million in 2021...
Wildlife cameras no longer allowed for big game hunting March 11, 2022 Utah, KPCW
... watching wildlife is a popular activity unrelated to hunting, and cameras on public or private lands aren’t necessarily illegal. The new seasonal restrictions don’t apply to landowners monitoring for trespassing, agricultural uses, government or educational organizations, or anyone not hunting...
Utah approves $1 million for wildlife crossings March 10, 2022 Kiowa County Press
... "The estimates are that as many deer and elk are killed on the highways as on legal hunts during the year, so this is a major problem..."
A new bill promotes transparency in wildlife conservation funding February 23, 2022 Utah Public Radio
... HB 78, would establish a Wildlife Conservation Fund to better track money raised from hunting expos and tag raffles... HB 78 has passed in both the House and the Senate...
Winter surveys suggest a bright future for Utah deer February 18, 2022 Utah Public Radio
... “We see really low production this year...often that faun will die shortly after birth, just because they're either too small for that doe isn't producing enough milk to sustain that faun and a good growth..But with this year ... we actually got some good monsoon rains across the state, which we haven't had for many years," Hersey said ..,
Study finds elk are too smart for their own good, and the good of Utah February 16, 2022 Phys.org
... Research from BYU wildlife sciences professors finds that at the beginning of hunting season, elk in Utah are smart enough to move off of public lands (where they can be hunted) and on to private lands where they cannot. And then, when hunting season is over, they shift right back to public lands...
Why experts say the West's deer population is at 'inflection point' after another drop in 2021 February 13, 2021 Utah, KSL News
... Utah wildlife biologists fear there was another 10% drop in the statewide mule deer population in 2021 as mostly dry conditions reigned through the first half of the year... That would put the 2021 count on track to be somewhere in the range of 285,000 ...
Ethics course required before shed hunting in Utah January 25, 2022 abc4.com
... mandatory course before they head out to collect antlers ... "If you spook an animal and cause it to run, the animal has to use up fat reserves and energy that it needs to make it through the winter." ...
Video shows droves of deer using Eagle Mountain wildlife corridor January 21, 2022 Utah, KSTU
... Video footage ... In February last year, the Eagle Mountain City Council approved the Wildlife Corridor Overlay Zone, becoming the first city in Utah to consider this type of zoning...
Utah conservation officers seek information after buck deer killed, dumped January 21, 2022 KJZZ
... another buck deer killed, stripped of its antlers, and left to waste... approximately three miles north of the Sanpete/Sevier County line ...
DWR relocates over a dozen moose in a week January 18, 2022 Utah, TownLift, Park City News
... most of which were found wandering near Interstate 80... four moose were relocated last week in more urban areas, including one at the University of Utah...
As Utah's population grows, so does its need for wildlife crossings January 18, 2022 KUER
... DWR said studies show there’s a 90% reduction in wildlife and car collisions when these types of structures are in place... “We have over 60 wildlife crossing statewide, but the majority of them go under roads and are just not as visible,” ..
In split-decision, Utah Wildlife Board approves seasonal ban on trail cameras January 17, 2022 St. George News
... Beginning with the 2022 hunting season, the use of all trail cameras to harvest or aid in the harvest of big game will be banned – establishing an ongoing seasonal ban... will be in effect from July 31 to Dec. 3 ...
Viral deer euthanized after continually wandering into Utah neighborhood January 12, 2022 WSYM-TV
... A neighbor complained about the deer showing up this week, forcing the state to remove it and eventually euthanize it out of "public safety concerns." Residents said it appeared that the deer was an orphan after his mother was hit by a car...
Fruit growers don’t get compensation for future harvests when deer damage their trees, Wildlife Board says January 11, 2022 Utah, The Salt Lake Tribune
... “We interpret the statute discussing future loss to mean when the crop would have been taken to market in the year the damage occurred,” Dearth said. “We request the Legislature to clarify this statute for its inconsistencies.” ...
Poachers ‘stealing’ wildlife remains a troubling issue in Utah January 6, 2022 USA Today
... Deer topped the list, with 180 deer, including 34 “trophy” bucks, having been killed illegally. Elk (113, including 18 trophy bull elk) were the second most targeted species...
Viral video shows friendly deer in Herriman neighborhood, experts warn residents to stay away January 5, 2022 Utah, KSTU
... Locals have been posing for pictures and enjoying the rare experience of getting to play with a wild animal... Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources said ... if he becomes too regular in the neighborhood, they may have to euthanize Cooper ...
Utah Wildlife Board bans trail cameras for big game hunting January 5, 2022 The Salt Lake Tribune
...The new ban will be in effect from July 31 to Dec. 31 and applies to both cameras with internal storage memory and those that transmit images to the hunter’s cellphone. The prohibition does not apply to private landowners monitoring their property and agricultural operations ...
Parley's Canyon wildlife crossing captures footage of over 20 species January 3, 2022 Utah, ABC4 Utah
... Over the past year, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources confirmed 706 animal crossings of 23 different species including six bird species, 414 mule deer crossings, 54 coyote crossings ...
When deer damage orchards, what does Utah owe fruit growers? December 31, 2021 Utah, The Salt Lake Tribune
... The wildlife agency is willing to pay only the cost of replacing his damaged trees; Eskelsen insists he deserves to be compensated for future harvests he won’t see ... DWR contends Eskelsen’s method is “speculative and unreliable” and is asking the Wildlife Board to reject it...
Utah Wildlife Board Approves Keeping Elk Permits as Over-the-Counter Sales, Makes Other Hunting Changes December 3, 2021 ETV News
... The demand to hunt big game in Utah has increased over the past few years... “The increased demand for these permits has caused an overload to the license sales system for the past two years, which has led to slower processing times and a frustrating customer experience,” ...
Rescued deer has new look, hunters ask if buck can be shot November 20, 2021 Utah, For The Win
... “We encourage hunters not to shoot collared deer,” the agency wrote. “But if you do just make sure to report it so we can pick up the collar and reuse it.” ...
Utah DWR proposes changes to elk hunt permit process November 2, 2021 KSL NewsRadio
... “The increased demand for these permits has caused an overload to the license sales system for the past two years,” said DWR Wildlife Licensing Coordinator ...
Remembering when the deer hunt wasn't just a hunt, it was a holiday October 24, 2021 Utah, Deseret News
... the all-time high is 246,685 hunters in 1988 ... in 1994, when a diminishing deer population caused the Division of Wildlife Resources to implement a permit system limiting the number of hunters ... for the past 27 years the average number of permits is 90,000 and the average deer harvest is 29,000. Compare that to the high-water year of 1961 when no less than 132,278 deer were shot by 202,305 hunters...
Deer tangled in huge mass of string rescued October 12, 2021 Utah, DWR Tweet
... Last week, our biologists responded to reports in Parowan of a mature mule deer buck with a huge mass of string (probably a hammock) caught in his antlers and obscuring his vision. After tranquilizing the buck, we removed the string and released him...
Hunting in these areas? Utah DWR wants to test your deer for disease September 30, 2021 Utah, abc4.com
... 124 mule deer and three elk have tested positive for CWD in Utah ... first detected in Utah in 2002 in a buck taken during the rifle hunt near Vernal ... are where you can find CWD monitoring check stations and sampling units this year, courtesy of DWR ..,
Analysis Begins On Effectiveness Of Wildlife Bridge On Parleys Summit September 18, 2021 Utah, KPCW
KPCW... During the 15-month observation period, they detected 320 deer, 72 coyote's,16 moose 30 porcupines, nine black bears, ten bobcats, 25 racoons, 49 rock squirrels, and many unknown small animals using the bridge that crosses I-80. Frey said the high use suggests the overpass has integrated into the surroundings quicker than they expected...
Cougars become unlimited hunting game in Utah September 7, 2021 Utah, KSL Radio
... The Wildlife Board approved a plan to increase quotas in many hunting areas and lift quotas on cougars altogether in others. Additionally, officials are making cougars year-round game in hopes of increasing numbers of mule deer and bighorn sheep...
How the Utah Drought is Impacting Deer and Elk September 7, 2021 One Green Planet
... Several years of droughts ... have decreased the vegetation, which is the main food source for these animals ... Droughts have decreased the vegetation, which is the main food source for these animals ...
How drought impacts deer, elk; tips for Southern Utah hunters this season August 23, 2021 Utah, St. George News
... “Deer numbers have decreased roughly 60,000 from about four years ago due to climatic effects and drought,” DWR Big Game Coordinator Covy Jones said .. Elk are not impacted by drought the same way as deer, and elk populations have remained stable for several years, with an estimated 80,000 across the state..,
How a 'mega' tank in eastern Utah aims to help animals impacted by drought August 20, 2021 Utah, KSL
... state wildlife biologists said Friday they captured 27 deer fawns in the Book Cliffs this spring and placed GPS collars on them ....All but five died throughout the summer — most to causes attributed to the drought in some fashion...
Tourists’ garbage kills deer at Zion National Park, rangers say August 16, 2021 Utah, Sacramento Bee
... The overflowing dumpsters and litter at Utah’s most popular park recently led to a deer’s death ... a significant amount of plastic trash inside of its stomachs ...
How drought impacts deer and elk; tips for hunters during the 2021 hunts August 13, 2021 Utah, DWR News
... The current deer population in Utah is roughly 320,000 deer, which is the lowest total number of deer in the state in several years (although not as low as 2010 or the early 2000s)... Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has decreased the total hunting permit numbers for the last several years ... "Deer numbers have decreased roughly 60,000 from about four years ago due to climatic effects and drought," ..,
Infrastructure Bill Includes Mule Deer Foundation Priorities for Forest Management and Wildlife Crossings August 10, 20201 Utah, Mule Deer Foundation
...“The infrastructure package passed today will provide critical funding for forest restoration projects like the ones the Mule Deer Foundation leads to thin the overgrowth of trees and reduce the understory brush, both of which provide the fuels that can feed these devastating, stand-replacing fires. Not only is this good for forest health, but it also provides the necessary habitat structure that is so important for mule deer, black-tailed deer, and other wildlife species.”...
Bystander’s quick thinking saves deer from death in the nick of time August 2, 2021 Utah, USA Today
... A fawn accidentally fell into a canal of fast-moving water ... As the deer approached, he reached down and grabbed it by the ear and pulled it up and out of the canal, just in the nick of time...
For Utah, the war on wolf protections seems to never end July 30, 2021 The Salt Lake Tribune
... state officials filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit brought by environmental groups that are trying to reverse a decision ... delisting the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act... Utah alleges wolves’ appetite for big game poses a financial threat to the state. Predicting that deer and elk numbers would plummet ...
Drought and fire have wide reaching effects on game July 17, 2021 Utah, The Herald Journal
... Drought has a minimal effect on migratory animals with access to high mountain vegetation. This is in contrast to the negative effects on resident deer populations in desert areas. This pattern suggests deer herds in southern Utah will continue to see challenging conditions as herds in Northern Utah and Southeast Idaho remain stable or slowly grow...
Big game baiting law June 30, 2021 Utah DWR
... HB 295 was passed during the 2021 legislative session and went into effect May 5. This law restricts the baiting of big game animals (like deer and elk) when hunting in Utah. In the new law, "bait" is defined as intentionally placing food or nutrient substances — including salt or other mineral blocks — to manipulate the behavior of wildlife for the purpose of hunting or attempting to harvest big game...
If someone is not planning to hunt and doesn't have a hunting permit, they are still allowed to use bait to simply view or photograph wildlife...
What you should know about moose behavior and how to avoid conflicts June 18, 2021 Utah DWR
... Utah is home to between 2,500 and 3,000 moose. The largest animals in the deer family, moose can be found along the Wasatch Front and in northern and northeastern Utah, typically in forested areas..,
How can I help wild animals suffering from the drought? June 16, 2021, Utah, ABC4
... One of the main animals affected by the drought is deer. It is expected that limited food and water will reduce the number of fawns, result in lower deer population, and decrease antler growth for buck deer..,
Deer wearing dog collar found in Utah May 14, 2021 abc4.com
... Once the deer was tranquilized, they were able to remove a dog collar someone placed around his neck... There’s a good chance the buck would have died this fall ...
Utah's drought leads to decrease in 2021 deer hunt permits May 1, 2021 Daily Herald
... Utah’s drought was a primary factor in the recommended decrease in general season deer hunt permits. “We’ve had a few drought years in Utah recently, which has had a significant impact on the survival rates of deer,” DWR Big Game Coordinator Covy Jones ... Utah experienced its third driest spring season in recorded history in 2020 ..,
Utah Wildlife Board approves reduction of 2021 deer hunting permits April 29, 2021 Utah, KSL
... The Utah Wildlife Board on Thursday finalized a plan that will decrease the number of deer hunting permits in Utah this year even more than what was originally proposed by state wildlife biologists last month..,
What to do if you hit a deer while driving in Utah April 29, 2021 abc4.com
... Call 911 or contact your local police department ... there were approximately 10,000 deer-vehicle collisions in 2012 ... Numbers are estimated to have decreased due to more fences and wildlife bridges ... In 2020, there were 5,298 ...
Eagle Mountain migrates toward mule deer conservation April 24, 2021 Utah, Daily Herald
... Our city, along with the state of Utah and various environmental organizations, is working to develop the Eagle Mountain Mule Deer Migration Corridor... Mule deer have been migrating through what is now Eagle Mountain for hundreds of years ...
Deer illegally killed, dragged to road in Duchesne County April 6, 2021 Utah, MSN
... a deer had been illegally killed, dragged to the road and then removed from the area by vehicle ... report it to DWR conservation officers at 800-662-3337 ...
How severe droughts have factored into a decline in Utah's deer population April 5, 2021 Utah, KSL
... the droughts at the start of the decade are nothing like droughts seen in 2018 and the current conditions in Utah. The state experienced its driest year on record in terms of precipitation totals in 2020, and soil levels are the driest they've ever been recorded..,
Mule Deer Foundation Receives Grant from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for Habitat Work April 5, 2021 Utah, Mule Deer Foundation News
... The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) announced today that it has received $395,000 in funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) Rocky Mountain Rangelands grant program. The grant funding will support MDF’s Migration Corridor and Winter Range Initiative and be matched by $756,000 to implement habitat projects that focus on big game migration corridors and greater sage-grouse core areas..,
What is a forb and why is it important to Utah? March 23, 2021, ABC 4
... Forbs are leafy, flowering plants ... “They are the first things greening up [after winter], the deer really seek them out ... Forbs are plants that they can digest easily, better than grass.” ...
Utah DWR biologists recommend decrease in general-season deer permits March 24, 2021 Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
... Biologists recommended 74,775 general-season deer hunting permits, which is a 4,900-permit decrease from the previous year... an objective to have just over 400,000 deer across Utah — there are currently an estimated 314,850 deer in the state ..,
Don’t let dogs chase wildlife while camping or hiking March 18, 2021 Utah, Cache Valley Daily
... Being chased this time of year is harmful for the deer because by the end of winter, they are usually in survival mode. These animals are already depleted, and they often can’t afford to waste energy ...
“If they get chased, it uses up energy they may need to survive,” Utah DWR launches app to help residents report poachers March 5, 2021 Utah, Gephardt Daily
... “The app is called UTDWR, and it’s available for both iOS and Android devices,” ... It was created by Citizen Observer, an organization that provides Internet-based communication systems ...
Utah bill presented to ban deer baiting due to disease March 3, 2021 Utah, The Digital Universe
... proposed HB295 to ban the hunting practice of using bait to hunt for deer and other animals. The bill passed the House on Feb. 18 ... bait can be an agent for transmitting diseases through animal saliva...
Shocking video: Driver accelerates into herd of deer in North Ogden, killing 1 February 26, 2021 Utah, KUTV Salt Lake City
... footage captured by a doorbell camera ... shows a driver accelerate into a herd of deer in North Ogden ... appears to "attack" the herd ...
Proposed Utah bill makes changes to big game baiting, waterfowl management areas February 22, 2021 Utah, ABC 4
... trail cameras would be included under the devices the Wildlife Board can regulate... also prohibits big game baiting, with baiting being considered “intentionally placing food or nutrient substances to manipulate the behavior of wildlife for the purpose of taking or attempting to take big game.”...
Want to gather shed antlers? You must take an ethics course first February 18, 2021 Utah, DNR News
... Collecting antlers that fall off the heads of deer, elk and moose each winter is a popular pastime in Utah. Before you head outdoors to collect shed antlers, though, please remember that you must complete the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Antler Gathering Ethics Course..,
How Size and Condition Influence Survival and Cause‐Specific Mortality of Female Elk
Utah, 2021 The Journal of Wildlife Management
... In decreasing order of importance, elk mortality occurred from hunter harvest (21.2%), mountain lion predation (3.7%), depredation removal (0.5%), automobile collision (0.3%), disease (0.3%), complications during calving (0.3%), and those characterized as undetermined (1.3%). Neck circumference and body length were negatively associated with survival, suggesting that larger animals in good condition had lower survival as a result of hunter harvest...
Another argument for banning bait in hunting: It will slow disease spread in Utah deer The Salt Lake Tribune
... “CWD [chronic wasting disease] in Utah is prevalent. It does have an increased transmission rate through baiting.” ... apples and corn, tantamount to deer candy, encourages wildlife to congregate in unnatural ways ...
How does Utah track wildlife? February 14, 2021 Utah, ABC 4
... tracked through GPS collars ... there are deer that swim almost a mile across Flaming Gorge Reservoir as part of their annual migration... more information and tracking data on the Wildlife Migration Initiative website ...
'We've taken ... the hunt out of hunting': Utah lawmaker seeks to ban baiting, trail cameras February 11, 2021 Salt Lake Tribune
... Snider is a committed hunter who ran legislation last year to enshrine the right to hunt and fish in the Utah Constitution ... but he fears baiting and cameras degrade big game hunting. Others say bait apples amount to litter and can distort wild animals’ natural behavior...
Eagle Mountain approves first wildlife corridor overlay zone in Utah February 4, 2021 Utah, KUTV Salt Lake City
... the first city in Utah to implement a Wildlife Corridor Overlay Zone. It will provide a route for mule deer from two critical habitats in the northwest and southeast areas of the city...
Want to gather shed antlers? You must take an ethics course first January 30, 2021 Utah DWR News
... Collecting antlers that fall off the heads of deer, elk and moose each winter is a popular pastime in Utah. Before you head outdoors to collect shed antlers, though, please remember that you must complete the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Antler Gathering Ethics Course...
Interested in deciding how wildlife is managed in Utah? Apply for one of 2 openings on the Utah Wildlife Board January 23, 2021 Utah DNR
...In August 2021, two members of the Utah Wildlife Board — Donnie Hunter and Byron Bateman — will leave the board after completing their six years of service... You can apply for one of the positions at this website: boards.utah.gov...
Black bears, lions and coyotes oh my. Utah's new predator management strategy January 8, 2021, Utah, St. George Daily Spectrum
... the plan enables the UDWR to adopt a "Liberal Harvest Strategy" whenever it deems necessary, essentially lifting previous limits on the number of black bears that can be killed and removed from areas where biologists decide they have too much of an influence on Mule Deer populations...
Utah Wildlife Board approves changes to Black Bear Management Plan January 5, 2021 Utah Wildlife Board
... Many of the state’s deer populations have seen significant declines in recent years. Although the declines were usually caused by climatic conditions, high predator densities have, at times, not allowed deer populations to rebound even though weather and habitat conditions have improved..,
Men risk dangerously thin ice to rescue helpless fawn January 2, 20201Utah, USA Today
... “We walked over nice and slow so we didn’t scare or frighten it any more. I picked up the deer and gently walked it over to the shore and released it.” ...
Seven wildlife management areas to close until spring to protect animals December 19, 2020 Utah, Gephardt Daily
... “Cold temperatures and pushing through deep snow sap their strength. And, the snow buries much of their food. As winter progresses, deer get weaker and weaker... the seven WMAs provide critical winter habitat for mule deer...
Six new wildlife crossings constructed in Utah this past year December 3, 2020 Utah,fox13now.com
... It’s believed that more than 4,500 deer and elk-related collisions resulted in animal fatalities in 2020... Along with overpasses, bridges and culverts, areas of eight-foot-tall fencing were installed in various parts of the state to urge animals to move along the fence line towards a safe crossing area...
Stop the Unnecessary Killing of Deer in Pepperwood [petition] December 1, 2020 Utah, Change.Org
... Some residents of Pepperwood (a PUD in Sandy, UT) claim there are too many deer ... Utah DWR has “discontinued its translocation in urban deer program” ... This means killing the deer with hired bow and arrow hunters in the midst of our neighborhood and on the streets of Pepperwood...
'It's working!' Deer, bears and other critters like Utah's first wildlife bridge — and the state has video to prove it. November 25, 2020 Utah, USA TODAY
... The bridge's construction came after 46 deer, 14 moose, and four elk were killed on that stretch of highway in 2016 and 2017 alone... 350-foot-long bridge ... we expected it to take several years before the animals got used to using it ...
Utah votes to make hunting and fishing a constitutional right November 4, 2020
Sporting News
... Constitutional Amendment E, it will now be written in Utah's constitution that state residents have a “constitutional right to hunt and fish in Utah ...
Manti traps seven deer over 11 weeks in first year of deer control program October 29, 2020 Utah, Sanpete Messenger
... Manti City has just completed the first year of its deer control program ... six traps ... moved them around ... Seven deer were trapped and killed... Barton did not want to talk about how the city killed the deer it captured...
Utah wildlife officials monitor deer for chronic wasting disease in Spanish Fork Canyon October 20, 2020 Daily Herald
... CWD, which was first discovered in Utah in 2002 ... this year, we are seeing that they’re eating well,” Root said on Monday. “And even though it’s been a drought, some of these deer have pretty good fat content.” ...
Provo Municipal Council points to possible changes in urban deer contract October 8, 2020 Utah, Daily Herald
... For the past four years, the city has had a dual program of lethal and non-lethal methods of getting rid of the urban deer population... In early 2019 the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources ended transporting trapped deer to new locations because of concerns of spreading Chronic Wasting Disease ... “Looking at the numbers, I’m not persuaded it has made a difference,” said George Handley, council chairman. “I don’t see any significant reduction in traffic accidents.” ...
Hunting mountain lions: Utah to increase number of cougar hunting permits for fall September 1, 2020 Utah, St. George Daily Spectrum
... In an effort to help relieve pressure on dwindling mule deer populations, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources plans to issue additional hunting permits for cougars throughout the state this fall...
Deer, Elk seasons open August 19, 2020 Utah, Daily Herald
... Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists estimate that Utah’s deer populations have seen a decrease in the past year, primarily due to drought conditions in the spring, summer and fall of 2018, followed by a heavy winter in 2019. Elk populations are estimated to have a slightly decreasing trend, but are fairly stable..,
Tips to help hunters have success during the 2020 Utah deer, elk hunts August 11, 2020 EIN News
... biologists estimate that Utah's deer populations have seen a decrease in the past year, primarily due to drought conditions in the spring, summer and fall of 2018, followed by a heavy winter in 2019. Elk populations are estimated to have a slightly decreasing trend, but are fairly stable..,
Wildlife leaders enact some changes, propose for more cougar hunt opportunities in Utah July 16, 2020 Utah, KSL.com
... a law passed by state legislators earlier this year. The law change allows a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources director to directly take steps to reduce predator populations when big game populations dip below the state’s management objectives... to protect mule deer ...
DWR agents seek tips after 8 deer killed, left to waste in Southern Utah April 7, 2020 Utah, Gephardt Daily
... occupants of the truck were seen shooting at deer in a field. Officers responded and found that six deer, two bucks and four does ... a conservation officer located two deer that had been shot and left to waste in a field ...
DWR asks public not to feed wildlife after deer found dead from chronic wasting disease April 6, 2020 Utah, St. George News
... it is not illegal to feed wildlife ... two mule deer have been found dead in the yards of Moab residents. Both of these deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease ... Feeding deer can cause large groups of them to congregate into one area, increasing the chance of the disease spreading from one animal to the next ...
Utah Division of Wildlife wants to cut over 9,000 deer hunt permits April 5, 2020 Deseret News
... a move wildlife experts say is needed to preserve the state’s deer populations. Despite hitting a 10 year peak in 2016, drought, long winters and devastating fires have chipped away at Utah’s deer populations ... a healthy ratio is 60 fawns for every 100 does, but in some regions the number of fawns is down to 30 per 100 does..,
17 people cited for trespassing on wildlife management areas in northern Utah April 3, 2020 Utah, The Times-Independent
... From now until April 11 is the most critical time of the year for deer in Utah. In addition to being weak after a long winter, deer are transitioning from eating a diet of browse (brush and twigs) to eating mostly green grasses...
Utah wildlife biologists seek 9K fewer deer hunting permits to be issued in 2020 March 30, 2020 KSL
... The proposed changes [see video below] come as Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists have reported a dip in buck-to-doe ratios over the past four years ... That drop was preceded by buck populations rising to beyond the agency’s statewide objective; for bucks that’s defined as 15-20 bucks per 100 does...
Wildlife Management Areas Off Limits For Now March 30, 2020 Utah, KPCW
... this time of year is critical for mule deer and migrating waterfowl. In Utah, mule deer are weakened by the winter and it’s difficult for them to find food...
Preliminary hearing held in trophy deer poaching case March 26, 2020 Utah, Daily Herald
... A witness saw the spotlights in the dark ... charged in Fifth District Court with wanton destruction of protected wildlife, a third-degree felony, and with a tagging requirement violation, a class B misdemeanor ...
Local residents seek to alter dangerous fencing to prevent more deer deaths March 15, 2020 Utah, Standard-Examiner
" ... another deer had been completely sliced open by the fence and was hanging on it ... It was horrible to see. I had to get the deer down.” ... these fences ... have these spikes that are pretty brutal ... The current plan is to ... remove the spikes and replace them with flat plugs ...
New website allows people to look at Utah's wildlife migration patterns March 6, 2020 Utah, KSL.com
... The new website, which launched Tuesday, shows all the different animals biologists are tracking, the amount they’re tracking, and the locations of each tracking project. For example, biologists are tracking 12 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep at the Canyon Mountains in central Utah and 40 elk at the Book Cliffs in eastern Utah...
Effect of Net‐Gun Capture on Survival of Mule Deer M Van de Kerk, BR McMillan, KR Hersey, A Roug… - Journal of Wildlife Management, 2020 Utah
... a large‐scale research and monitoring project in Utah, USA, has involved capturing and radio‐collaring hundreds of mule deer ... Weekly survival rates of captured deer during weeks 4–6 were 0.993 ± 0.001, the same as those of deer that were not captured at the same time. Furthermore, post‐capture survival rates were positively influenced by body size and negatively influenced by age...
Western Wildlife Conservancy Director Says Predator Bill Is Terrible February 12, 2020 Utah, KPCW
... House Bill 125, sponsored by Republican Carl Albrecht from Richfield, would mandate Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Managers immediately issue hunting tags on bear, cougar and coyote when herd numbers drop too low...
Cougar harvest objectives increased to help deer populations February 13, 2020 Utah, Daily Herald
... “Cougar populations don’t immediately decline when deer populations do, and in some cases, cougar populations may be maintained by switching to different types of prey. Deer populations in some areas of Utah, however, have declined due to drought and heavy winter conditions over the past two years,” ..,
Utah bill puts more lions and bears in the crosshairs to protect deer. Critics say it runs contrary to science February 3, 2020 Salt Lake Tribune
... HB25 mandates the Division of Wildlife Resources to “take immediate action” to reduce those large predators, as well as automatically increase permits to hunt them ... many big game hunters fear the state’s treasured deer and elk herds are struggling in the face of three tough winters in a row ...
Ethics course required before gathering shed antlers in Utah January 28, 2020 Utah, Gephardt Daily
... late winter and early spring is a tough time of year for deer, elk and moose ... which is why the educational ethics course is required if you want to go “shed hunting” between Feb. 1 and April 15...
CWD, A rare black mule deer in Moab has died — and Utah wildlife officials are worried about what killed it January 27, 2020 Utah, The Salt Lake Tribune
... A rare black mule deer that wandered around the redrock of Moab — and who residents there lovingly nicknamed “Coal” because of his uncommonly dark fur — died last month from chronic wasting disease ... it’s the sixth deer in the La Sal Mountains and the 16th in the state to test positive since July 2019...
Utah cougar harvest quotas increased as wildlife officials seek to combat deer decline January 17, 2020 KSL
... In response to a decline in deer populations in some pockets of the state due, in part, to adverse weather conditions and the animals falling prey to cougars in recent years, state wildlife officials issued an “emergency” increase of 117 cougar harvest objectives in 11 areas across Utah .., [Graph from Utah DWR]
Violent threats made against DWR officer who shot domestic deer January 14, 2020 Utah, fox13now.com
... Law enforcement in two southern Utah counties are investigating threats towards a conservation officer who shot a domesticated deer ... which [the family] had rescued at its birth ....The DWR tells FOX 13 they are still reviewing the incident and are working with the family to come to a resolution and to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again...
'They've overstepped their bounds'; Sheriffs battle with DWR over abuse of authority following doe shooting January 13, 2020 Utah, St George News
... The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources met with multiple sheriffs following an incident in which a conservation officer went on private property to euthanize a deer ... “(The DWR) thinks they can do whatever they want, and they’ve overstepped their bounds here,” ...
Moab community members band together to preserve 'Coal,' the rare melanistic deer January 14, 2020 Utah, KSL
... Residents in southeastern Utah quickly fell in love with an extremely rare melanistic mule deer that frolicked through their yards ... name him “Coal” for his extremely rare dark coat... they had found Coal dead in their backyard... appeared frail ...
Utah cities and counties looking to restrict hunting January 11, 2020 Salt Lake Tribune
... Hunters are increasingly stalking deer and elk near homes and recreation areas, such as Park City’s Round Valley and Huntsville’s Cemetery Point, that didn’t exist a generation ago. Yet those cities have zero authority to ban or even regulate hunting on these lands, and some locally elected leaders want to change that to protect the public...
Deer raised by Utah family survives after being shot by DWR officer January 10, 2020 KSTU
... “My sister and wife ran over to him and told him again to get off our property. ‘You are on private property now, get off.’ [He was] walking around with a deer rifle trying to scare the deer up so he could kill her,” ... The doe named Sadee survives with a mark between the eyes. She’s spent time on the property since she was an orphaned fawn...
Utah BLM, DNR announce new 5-year agreement supporting Watershed Restoration Initiative January 3, 2019 Utah, St George News
... Miles Moretti, president and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation, said Utah’s WRI is improving habitat for mule deer and all wildlife at a “landscape scale not seen anywhere in the Western United States.” ... Watershed Restoration Initiative projects ...
Wildlife highway crossings, fences installed in Utah in 2019 to help prevent collisions January 1, 2020 Utah, Southern Utah Independent
... Utah made history when it completed the first wildlife overpass in the U.S. in 1975 on I-15 near Beaver. Since then, around 50 wildlife crossings have been installed throughout the state... Around 6,300 deer and elk were confirmed to be killed in vehicle collisions in 2019 ... “Deer typically follow the same migration routes every year,” ...
Utah Wildlife Board approves new mule deer plan, some changes to hunting drawing process December 6, 2019 Utah, KSL
... There were fewer than 250,000 deer statewide in the mid-1990s and more than 350,000 a few years ago. However, the numbers are starting to slide again and Jones estimated that the mule deer population dropped again in 2019... In some areas, it’s 15 to 17 bucks per 100 does; in others it’s 18 to 20 bucks per 100 does, while it’s 25 to 35 bucks per 100 does in seven limited-entry units... the plan approved Thursday will carry through 2024 ... read the plan ..,
Mule deer airlifted on Antelope Island so biologists can assess health, size of population November 19, 2019 Utah, Standard-Examiner
... they’re blindfolded, restrained and airlifted in orange bags to Fielding Garr Ranch on Antelope Island, where biologists and a team of other staff with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources check various aspects of each animal’s health... One buck had lost several teeth, probably in the process of being captured. The teeth were hanging out of its mouth...
DWR approves new mule deer hunting guidelines November 12, 2019 Utah, Daily Herald
... a new management plan for hunting mule deer... Jones suggested continuing to manage general season hunting with a ratio of 15 to 17 bucks per 100 does on 11 units and 18 to 20 bucks per 100 does on 18 units... The guidelines were influenced by a survey of 2,055 randomly selected local hunters...
Utah Division Of Wildlife Resources Woodchipping More Than 50000 Acres of Pinyon And Juniper Trees November 10, 2019 Utah Public Radio
... “Even though the pinyon-juniper does provide a bit of value to wildlife," said Daniel Eddington, the habitat conservation coordinator for the division, "that sagebrush grass and forb community provides a lot of habitat for mule deer that are wintering...
Caught on camera: Utah woman rescues deer trapped in wire at cemetery October 28, 2019 KSTU
... The doe was trapped, unable to move and injured... she began to pet the deer’s nose... eventually, the deer even allowed her to start removing the wire... “Let me get my bolt cutters and cut that off okay?” a man could be heard ...
Wildlife officials ask for public's help, say more than 100 big game animals poached in Utah since August October 16. 2019 fox13now.com
... 1,215 violations and 102 illegally killed big game animals—including moose, bison, black bear, deer, elk and pronghorns... Utah’s Turn-in-a-Poacher hotline (1-800-662-3337) ...
Cache Valley, Outlook on this year's deer hunt, reduction in tags October 11, 2019 Utah, Herald Journal
... In Cache Valley deer numbers rebounded in 2018 from a harsh winter in 2017, but then had higher than average fawn mortality last winter... residents wanted less crowded hunting conditions. Wyoming is also seeking input this year on how to reduce crowding in mule deer hunting units...
Utah Hunting Tidbits for Deer Season October 10, 2019 lakepowelllife
... Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists estimate that there are just over 370,000 mule deer in Utah, which is about 100,000 additional deer than were in the state in 2011. “Over the last three years, we’ve had the highest deer numbers in Utah in 25 years,” ... With the wet spring, habitat has flourished ..,
Baiting big game is legal in Utah — for now. But is it right? October 7, 2019 Utah, Salt Lake Tribune
... Most Western states, including all of Utah’s immediate neighbors, ban or restrict baiting big game ... baiting congregates deer in unnatural ways, increasing the chances of spreading disease, according to wildlife biologist Brock McMillan, a Brigham Young University professor who serves on DWR’s mule deer committee...
Fall archery deer, elk hunts in progress, expectations August 29, 2019 Utah, Daily Herald
... Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) biologists estimate that there are just over 370,000 mule deer in Utah, which is about 100,000 additional deer than were in the state in 2011... the highest deer numbers in Utah in 25 years ... A lot of that is due to good habitat work and climate.” ...
Looking Forward to Utah's 2019 Elk, Deer Hunt August 23, 2019 Utah, Elk Network
... According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), there are an estimated 80,000 elk currently in Utah. The DWR management plan involves managing for just over 79,000 elk so “we are at our objective for elk statewide ..,
Utah Wildlife Board hikes cougar hunting for 4th year despite warnings from wildlife advocates August 22, 2019 Utah, Salt Lake Tribune
... DWR surveys indicate the state has 2,700 mountain lions, more than double the total in 2007... Cougars’ population growth tracked with gains in Utah’s mule deer herds, said Darren DeBloois, DWR’s game mammals coordinator..,
Don't feed the deer, especially in Pleasant Grove August 22, 2019 Utah, Daily Herald
... They are now ready to begin the process for the Urban Deer Control Plan, which is aimed at reducing the population of urban deer. “One of the requirements of that program is that we enact an ordinance making it illegal for people to purposefully feed or bait wild deer, elk or moose,” ...
What hunters should expect for the fall archery deer, elk hunts August 11, 2019 stgeorgeutah.com
... Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists estimate that there are just over 370,000 mule deer in Utah ... an estimated 80,000 elk ..,
Utah plans to increase the cougar hunt, but advocates warn that losing more big cats could pose big problems August 1, 2019 Salt Lake Tribune
... The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wants to increase the number of hunting permits to 678 (out of about 2,700 cougars in the state) for the 2019-20 season... to help stave off declines among mule deer and bighorn sheep..,
Final phase of Juniper tree removal in Cache Valley canyons will begin this fall July 26, 2019 Utah, Cache Valley Daily
... Mule Deer are continuing to lose ground for a variety of reasons, including the development of the East bench. Their winter habitat is depleting due to the Juniper Trees in those canyons...
All-lethal means of urban deer mitigation approved by Provo council July 10, 2019 Utah, Daily Herald
... Earlier this year, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources ended transporting trapped deer to new locations because of concerns of spreading Chronic Wasting Disease commonly found in deer, elk, moose and other animals...
For one Utah deer living in trophy buck country, androgyny may be the key to survival July 4, 2019 The Salt Lake Tribune
... this rare antlered doe... “There’s more bucks on that unit [where she lives], and that kind of allows hunters to be a little bit more selective with what deer they are harvesting, and so a deer with antlers that size wouldn’t even be close ...
Southern Utes can protect wildlife corridors June 30, 2019 Utah, The Durango Herald
... early people knew what recent science has confirmed: many species of wildlife – including bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn and cutthroat trout – need to move between different habitats in order to survive... Tribal leaders are on the forefront of collecting data and developing management practices to enhance migration corridors...
Deer rescued after it was hit and thrown in dumpster June 27, 2019 ABC 4
... In the post, deputies plead with the public to “not let these poor animals suffer!” ...
Utah Wildlife Board approves 2019 big game hunts June 5, 2019 Daily Herald
... statewide deer population increased slightly in 2018, bringing the total to 372,500 deer in Utah. “The increase was primarily due to the growth of deer populations in the central and northern portions of the state...,
After more than 50 dead deer found nearby — some with latex gloves, plastic bags in their stomaces — a Utah landfill is making changes May 31, 2019 The Salt Lake Tribune
... officials think the deer died from disease and starvation... deer come to the area seeking food but become sick after eating trash blowing from the landfill...
More than 30 dead deer found near landfill in Utah May 24, 2019 Utah, ABC
... Deer come to the landfill each winter seeking food then fall ill after ingesting plastic and other toxins ... One photo shows dozens of decaying deer carcasses mixed with trash ...
UDOT tests new radar-activated signs to reduce deer collisions May 22, 2019 Utah, Equipment World
... The idea of a UDOT staff member, the device uses radar to detect wildlife near the road and then sends a signal that triggers LED lights on a “deer caution” sign to alert drivers...
How the 2018 wildfires and spring runoff in burn scar areas impact Utah's wildlife and fisheries May 19, 2019 The Independent | SUindependent.com
... “I have seen deer and elk move back into a burned area in the fall following a fire in the spring.” ... low-elevation fires can have negative impacts if they burn sagebrush areas, which don’t recover from fires as well. Those areas are typically where deer and elk range during the winter months...
A lot has happened to big-game herds since Deer Fence was built May 14, 2019 Utah, The Herald Journal
... Periodic severe winters, notably those of 1983-84,and 1992-93 have occasioned drastic winter deer losses... populations suffered catastrophic losses during the winter of 1948-49, arguably the most severe winter in recorded Utah weather history..,
Flashing signs and radar will hopefully reduce deer collisions in Eagle Mountain May 14, 2019 Utah, Daily Herald
... Almost 100 deer have been hit and killed in the past four years by vehicles driving along a mile-stretch of the highway ... decided to install radar-equipped signs along the road to alert drivers of passing deer..,
Utah Wildlife Board approves 2019 big game hunts May 3, 2019 Utah Division of Wildlife - Utah.gov
... DWR said that the statewide deer population increased slightly in 2018, bringing the total to 372,500 deer in Utah. "The increase was primarily due to the growth of deer populations in the central and northern portions of the state. The total statewide deer population increased by about 8,850 animals." ..,
DWR to stop relocating urban deer to limit spread of chronic wasting disease May 2, 2019 Utah, Deseret News
... the disease has a low prevalence rate in Utah deer populations compared to neighboring states like Colorado and Wyoming...
Mule Deer Migration April 30, 2019 Utah, lakepowelllife
... Deer had a 92 percent survival rate this past winter... Mule deer herds in southern Utah are migrating to their summer ranges ..,
Chronic wasting disease isn’t yet widespread in Utah, but officials urge caution April 29, 2019 Utah, Park Record
... The few cases recorded in Utah have mainly appeared in the northeast and southeast regions bordering Colorado, according to the DNR. Across that border, the situation is much worse... “The feeling is that it’s spreading, and we really don’t know how to stop it,” Travis Duncan, a spokesman for the Colorado ...
3 Utah County men trapped deer in backyard, killed it, charges state April 16, 2019 KSL
... a buck deer valued at more than $8,000 was killed in Mooney's backyard, according to charging documents... sent photos to a few friends of the deer. One individual received an image of the deer deceased in the bathtub," ...
Despite harsh winter, deer survival is good statewide April 3, 2019 Utah, KUTV 2
... Despite the harsh winter, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists say that adult deer survival is currently at 92% statewide... Average survival rates of the deer are reported in central and southeastern Utah. Northern Utah has below-average survival rates, with the highest mortality rates ..,
Utah DWR announces proposals for 2019 big game hunts April 2, 2019 Outdoor Wire
... Biologists said that the statewide deer population increased slightly in 2018, bringing the total to 372,500 deer in Utah. “The increase was primarily due to the growth of deer populations in the central and northern portions of the state,” Jones said. “The total statewide deer population increased by about 8,850 animals [about 363, 650].” ...
Daylight Saving Time causing more wildlife-vehicle collisions March 12, 2019 Utah, The Spectrum
... During the winter, there is an increase in wildlife along the roadways, primarily due to big game animals migrating to lower elevations in search of feed ... there were approximately 10,000 wildlife/vehicle collisions in 2012 ...
Monitoring mule deer and it starts with eyes in the skies March 7, 2019 Utah, abc4.com
... “They are starting to die from malnutrition and we need this snow to melt off so they can get to green vegetation. In some areas, we have really good winter range and they haven't lost weight as quickly,” Brock McMillian, BYU professor ...
Applying for big game hunting can be complicated January 30, 2019 Utah, The Herald Journal
... Utah offers hundreds of tags for auctions ... can cost $1,000 for a cow elk or over $300,000 for some mule deer hunts... There are now companies whose sole purpose are to help hunters go through the application process in a manner that gives them the best odds of receiving a tag ...
Tradition of winter elk-viewing rides continues at Hardware Ranch January 7, 2019 Utah, The Herald Journal
... Annual elk-viewing rides are underway at Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon... 15 miles east of Hyrum in Blacksmith Fork Canyon...
Fences should protect Utah wildlife January 3, 2019 The Herald Journal
... Work conducted by Utah State University in 2006 found that for every 2.5 miles of fence next to roads, one big game animal per year died because of the fences presence. August was when the largest number of deer, elk, and antelope succumbed to these fences as this is the time of year when fawns were weaned...
Utah Deer News and Information Archive by Topic: Population and Management, Deer in the News, Disease, Suburban, Transportation
Utah Deer: The DWR started emergency deer feeding in early 2023 for northern Utah because of deep snow which resulting in high mortality rates and is driving deer and elk to lower elevations and onto roads. The state recommends reduced hunting. Based on their December, 2022 analysis, the state estimated a mule deer population of 335,000. For 2021 the state estimated 305,700 deer with continued drought depleting the population but some rain which improved the situation. The population is down from the 2020 estimate of 314,850 which was the lowest prehunt population in 10 years due largely to drought. In early 2022 the estimate for 2021 was expected to be lower, around 285,000. Biologists' recommendation of a reduction in hunting permits with a goal of boosting the population to 400,000 was approved. About 4,900 deer were killed by vehicle collisions in 2022. A mild 2021-22 winter, but continued drought in 2022.
Droughts in 2021, 2020 and 2018 have been hard on deer and other wildlife. The state estimated a deer population of 372,500 in 2018 and 2019, up from about 363,650 in 2017. Mule deer numbers appeared to be falling in 2019 and 2020 due to the 2018 drought and harsh 2019 winter. The state increased cougar hunting quotas and reduced deer permits in response for 2020.
Data for the chart below, population estimates from the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources as reported to the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) and as reported by the DWR in 2022 and 2021.
The state estimated 375,000 deer in January, 2017, down from 385,000 in 2016. A hard 2018-19 winter but deer survival was relatively good with 92% alive into April. Severe drought in 2018 reduced deer and elk populations. About 384,000 deer in 2015 after the fall hunt with about 23 bucks per 100 does. The harsh winter of 2016-17 reduced populations in some areas.
The 2018 and 2019 target sex ratio was 15 to 20 bucks per 100 does. About 21 bucks per 100 does in 2016, higher than the state objective in 2016 for most units of 18 to 20 per 100 does. 2015 Herd Status. Mule deer buck permits increased for 2016. Lots of rain in spring of 2015 provided food and helped keep the deer population at around the highest level since the 1990s. In the early 1990s the mule deer buck to doe ration was 8 to 100, 23 to 100 by 2016.
DWR estimated 355,600 deer in Utah after the hunts in 2014, an increased over the estimated 332,900 mule deer in Utah after the hunts in 2013, 318,000 in 2012, 286,000 in 2011, 289,000 in 2004 and 322,000 in 2000 - post hunt. Recent mild winters have brought the population back during the last few years after a long downward trend of over 40 years. DWR comments that "better habitat and other efforts like highway fencing, wildlife underpasses and predator control have also played a role in the rebound." The 2013 deer population was about half of what it was in the 1970s and 1980s - about 660,000 deer.
The state issued 86,550 deer permits in 2015, 84,800 in 2014, 84,600 in 2013, and 79,066 in 2012 for a success ratio of 37 percent with 29,411 deer harvested. Populations have been climbing since the hard winters of 2007 and 2008. An estimated 50,000 deer hunters in 2015. Hunter success rose from 37 percent in 2013 to 43 percent in 2015.
About 19 bucks for every 100 does in 2014, increasing to 21 per 100 in 2015. Only about 8 bucks per doe in 1995, as the population was falling. Although many state deer management strategies include the goal of balancing demographics to maintain good herd health, age and sex distributions similar to a wild herd, the DWR was targeting a buck-to-doe ratio of 15 to 20 bucks per 100 does.
In 2013, the ratio was estimated at 19 bucks per 100 does. The target is designed to maximize short-term herd growth, allowing hunters to take as many bucks as possible, assuming that one buck can impregnate multiple does.