Utah Deer Population and Management Archive -  Utah

View the archive by scrolling through the window below.  Historic deer hunt data is below the Archive window on the left column with links to sources.    A list of all articles in the Archive is below the window.

Utah Deer Population and Management Archive

Annual Deer Hunt

Source to 2013

1925:    1,400

1926:    2,000

1927:    3,200

1928:    4.400

1929:    5,000

1930:    6,400

1931:    7,800

1932:    7,113

1933:    8,019

1934:  12,096

1935:  11,648

1936:  13,800

1937:  21,000

1938:  28,000

1939:  38,000

1940:  44,000

1941:  50,000

1942:  63,609

1943:  55,708

1944:  51,777

1945:  49,890

1946:  53,371

1947:  61,872

1948:  68,895

1949:  60,534

1950:  73,417

1951 101,637

1952   90,161

1953   95,879

1954 108,073

1955 111,917

1956 122,585

1957 105,599

1958 117,241

1959 126,315

1960 130,945

1961 132,278

1962 130,556

1963 109,399

1964 115,600

1965   88,043

1966   92,940

1967   90,053

1968   95,161

1969   81,921

1970 102,989

1971   98,775

1972 108,418

1973   86,570

1974   54,633

1975  45,401

1976   57,023

1977   68,415

1978   68,282

1979   66,263

1980   75,240

1981   90,809

1982   85,984

1983   95,716

1984   67,277

1985   64,253

1986   67,084

1987   74,275

1988   90,738

1989   78,373

1990   75,783

1991   66,876

1992   69,654

1993   30,320

1994   29,976

1995:  27,830

1996:  37,159

1997:  33,046

1998:  35,088

1999:  34,433

2000:  37,551

2001:  31,663

2002:  27,508

2003:  25,049

2004:  30,168

2005:  23,471

2006:  32,404

2007:  32,308

2008:  25,002

2009:  26,067

2010:  24,639

2011:  23,124

2012:  29,411

2013:  29,270

2014:  30,789

2015:  34,856

2016:  37,804

2017:  33,701

2018:  36,060

2019:  27,663

2020:  25,428

2021:  26,631


Big Game Annual Reports




A List of Articles in the Archive

..........2021

Big game baiting law June 30, 2021 Utah DWR

How can I help wild animals suffering from the drought? June 16, 2021, Utah

How drought impacts deer, elk; tips for Southern Utah hunters this season August 23, 2021 Utah

How severe droughts have factored into a decline in Utah's deer population April 5, 2021 Utah

Mule Deer Foundation Receives Grant from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for Habitat Work April 5, 2021 Utah

Utah DWR biologists recommend decrease in general-season deer permits March 24, 2021

Want to gather shed antlers? You must take an ethics course first February 20, 2021 Utah

What you should know about moose behavior and how to avoid conflicts June 18, 2019 Utah

.........2020

Tips to help hunters have success during the 2020 Utah deer, elk hunts August 11, 2020

Utah cougar harvest quotas increased as wildlife officials seek to combat deer decline January 17, 2020

Utah Wildlife Board approves changes to Black Bear Management Plan January 5, 2021

........2019

A lot has happened to big-game herds since Deer Fence was built May 14, 2019 Utah,

Despite harsh winter, deer survival is good statewide April 3, 2019 Utah,

Utah DWR proposals for 2019 big game hunts May 3, 2019

Utah plans to increase the cougar hunt, but advocates warn that losing more big cats could pose big problems August 1, 2019

Utah Wildlife Board approves new mule deer plan, some changes to hunting drawing process December 6, 2019 Utah

What hunters should expect for the fall archery deer, elk hunts August 11, 2019

.......2018

Buck to doe ratio, Big game permits approved April 27, 2018 Utah

DWR gets deer data: Looking to improve herd conditions, wildlife officials assess animals March 7, 2018 Utah

Game sanctuaries dominated Utah in the roaring '20s October 29, 2018 Utah

Leaping elk crashes research helicopter that was trying to capture it February 14, 2018 Utah

Maligned practice of chaining restores ecosystems March 12, 2018 Utah

Mule Deer Foundation Applauds Inclusion of Sagebrush Habitat Bill in Senate Farm Bill June 13, 2018

Senate Unanimously Passes Sagebrush Habitat Bill September 7, 2018 Utah

Survival of Neonate Mule Deer Fawns in Southern Utah: Effects of Coyote Removal and Synchrony of Parturition JT Hall - 2018

Utah drought worst in ten years September 12, 2018 Utah

Utah Mule Deer Foundation improves the habitat for wildlife in Weber County March 18, 2018

Utah wildlife officials again seek bigger cougar hunt July 27, 2018 Daily Herald

......2017

2017 archery buck deer hunt 2017 Utah

Despite varied opinions, Utah Wildlife Board votes to increase number of cougar hunting permits September 3,2017 Utah

DWR recommends slight increase in cougar hunting permits July 17, 2017 Utah

DWR turns to robotic deer to crack down on poaching September 13, 2017 Utah

Herbivory impacts of elk, deer and cattle on aspen forest recruitment along gradients of stand composition, topography and climate AC Rhodes, HY Wan, SBS Clair - Forest Ecology and Management, 2017

Mule Deer Foundation Applauds Senators Hatch and Heinrich on Introduction of Habitat Bill June 22, 2017 Utah

Mule Deer Foundation Cheers Sagebrush Restoration September 15, 2017 Utah

Mule Deer Foundation Invests $1.2 million in Conservation Projects in Utah, July 12, 2017

Northern Utah unleashed: Rules regarding dogs on trails depend on location April 1, 2017

Regulators say poorly run Utah gas field is trashing wildlife area September 27, 2017 Utah

Rifle Deer Hunt Opens Oct. 21 population trend October 11, 2017 Utah,

Securing Utah's Moose Population on Wild About Utah July 14 2017 Utah

Slight reduction in Utah buck deer permits March 17, 2017

Spatial Ecology of Coyotes and Cougars: Understanding the Influence of Multiple Prey on the Spatial Interactions of Two Predators [pdf] PJ Mahoney - 2017 Utah

Statewide shed antler closure February 3, 2017 Utah

Utah Division of Wildlife again recommending bigger cougar hunt August 29, 2017

Utah wildlife officials say they won't renew controversial ban on antler gathering September 28, 2017 Utah

.....2016

Course required to hunt shed antlers January 29, 2016 Utah

Coyote Clash August 31, 2016 Utah

Deer Herd Status for 2015 March 23, 2016 Utah,

DWR issuing additional deer hunting permits for 2016 April 5, 2016 Utah,

Ecosystem Restoration Projects Generate Jobs and Business Activity in Local, Regional, and National Economies April 5, 2016 Utah,

Emergency deer feeding begins in Bear Lake Valley January 13, 2017 Utah

More Utah coyotes killed under state bounty program in 2015 January 9, 2016

Mule Deer Foundation Funds Over $1.1 Million in Utah Habitat and Research Projects April 6, 2016

Mule deer populations thriving in Utah February 15, 2016

NASA Satellites Aid USU Ecologist in Mapping Seasons, Deer Reproduction February 11, 2016 Utah

Public lands hears agency reports/deer release February 3, 2016 Utah

Seeing more deer this winter in Utah? Last several winters may be to blame January 24, 2016 Utah

Tracking Deer Habitat by Satellite March 22, 2016 Utah

Utah archery deer hunt opens Saturday August 19, 2016

Utah Biologists Keeping Close Eye on Deer January 13, 2016

Utah DWR Recommends More Deer Hunting Permits March 23, 2016

Utah Herd Status in 2015 March 23, 2016

What satellites can tell us about how animals will fare in a changing climate December 12, 2016 Utah

Why does Utah put a price on coyotes' heads? January 12, 2016

Wildlife board ups number of Utah cougar-hunting permits September 1, 2016

....2015

2K additional permits approved for 2015 general deer hunt May 5, 2015 Utah

Antelope Island trophy mule deer tag draws world record bid of $390000. Where does all that money go? February 23, 2015 Utah

Brad Bradley of Manti Mountain November 11, 2015 Utah

Can Utah do more to protect wolves from bullets meant for coyotes? September 11, 2015

Cougar plan causes uproar among conservationists August 20, 2015 Utah

Death of Utah wolf is collateral damage January 16, 2015

Deer captured on Antelope Island, released in Southern Utah February 2, 2015

DWR collars mule deer to better assess survival rates December 11, 2015 Utah,

DWR crews relocate 100 mule deer off Antelope Island January 20, 2015 Utah,

DWR proposes adding 2K general deer hunting permits March 24, 2015 Utah

DWR reports highest buck-to-doe ratio in 10 years February 24, 2015 Utah

DWR requiring course to gather shed antlers during spring February 12, 2015

Healthy mule deer population leads to proposal for more hunting permits March 31, 2015 Utah

Hunt preview: find water, find deer October 2, 2015 Utah

Hunters arrive for biggest hunt of the year October 14, 2015 Utah

Hunting ranch owners should be accountable April 2, 215 Utah

Killing Fields September 9, 2015 Utah

Moose on the loose: Researchers study health of Utah's population June 14, 2015

More deer could mean more fall licenses from DWR April 10, 2015 Utah

More deer, higher success rate October 16, 2015 Utah

Mule Deer Foundation Applauds Sage Grouse Decision September 22, 2015 Utah

Mule Deer Foundation Statement on House Passage of Conservation Tax Incentives Bill February 16, 2015 Utah

Number of animals illegally killed in Utah increases for 2nd consecutive year December 8, 2015

Numbers are smaller, but deer hunt remains a Utah tradition October 7, 2015

On location with researchers; 4-year fawn survival study begins final year March 8, 2015 Utah

Parowan deer transplant project draws ire from concerned citizens January 7, 2015 Utah

Patrols protect mule deer from poachers; you can help December 13, 2015 Utah

Pulling strings on new deer hunt guidelines January 15, 2015 Utah

Rangeland restoration projects planned for Kane, Garfield counties October 6, 2015 Utah,

State wildlife managers boost hunting permit numbers May 4, 2015 Utah

Summary of 2015 Utah Deer Herd Conditions October 2, 2015 Utah, Utah DNR

Trophy deer and elk poaching case adjudicated June 11, 2015 Utah

Utah insists wolf-coyote confusion won't be a problem January 11, 2015 Utah

Utah Wildlife Board’s anti-wolf rhetoric is a century behind December 19, 2015

Utah wildlife by the numbers March 2, 2015 KSL.com

Utah's deer herds doing well March 25, 2015 Utah

Utah's war on coyotes claims another wolf November 27, 2015

Weather affects deer hunt October 21, 2015 Utah

What hunting equipment should/shouldn't be allowed in Utah? August 31, 2015

What's up with that?: Blacksmith Fork Canyon trees removed for deer habitat project February 2, 2015 Utah,

...2014

Animals abound on Great Salt Lake's Antelope Island October 5, 2014 Utah

Antler gathering ethics protect Utah wildife and habitat, DWR says March 4, 2014 Utah

As Western range suffers, should Utah cull wildlife? May 19, 2014

BLM, other agencies plan rangeland restoration west of Cedar City August 31, 2014 Utah

Bountiful council favors non-lethal deer control February 22, 2014 Utah

Conserving multiple species at once November 9, 2014 Utah

Deer hunting tag on Antelope Island auctioned for $305,000 February 18, 2014 Utah

Deer population increase likely to yield more hunting permits April 2, 2014

Division of Wildlife records high number of deer for start of hunting season October 21, 2014 Utah

DWR begins winter patrols to ward off poachers December 9, 2014 Uah

DWR gives deer herd update March 27, 2014 Utah

DWR to transport nearly 100 mule deer off Antelope Island February 4, 2014 Utah

Gunnison sage-grouse gets federal protection, Utah officials react November 13, 2014 Utah

How a DWR biologists measures deer populations, recommends tags for next hunting season April 8, 2014 Utah

Is coyote bounty helping mule deer? Wildlife officials say it will over time May 10, 2014 Utah

Lots of bucks for Utah's first hunt of season, buck to doe August 14, 2014 Utah

Majestic mule deer: Regal wildlife in the Rocky Mountains, decline of population November 28, 2014 Utah

Montana pronghorn populate Utah, the West December 31,. 2014

Moose euthanized at Deer Valley March 7, 2014 Utah,

Mule Deer Habitat in Western United States Improves Based on Restoration Efforts with Partners October 1, 2014 Utah

Mule Deer mugged from Antelope Island March 7, 2014 Utah

Number of bucks as good or better than last season October 9, 2014 Utah

Number of Utah bucks similar or better than last year, DWR says, buck to doe ratio August 12, 2014

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Grants to Improve Utah Elk Habitat March 27, 2014 Utah

State wildlife managers suggest hunt changes for 2015 October 24, 2014 Utah

Surveying the winter range: Biologists track mule deer populations in northern Utah December 25, 2014

Utah bounty hunters kill 7041 coyotes in a year October 20, 2014

Utah DWR offers new opportunities for big game hunters December 2, 2014

Utah hunters can get coyote contracts worth up to $10K April 2, 2014 Utah

Utah says some, but not all, of its mule deer recovery is due to a bounty on coyotes October 31, 2014

Utah's deer buck to doe ratio April 3, 2014 April 3, 2014

Utahns flock to the mountains for deer hunt October 24, 2014 Utah

Utah’s deer population healthier than in other states October 18, 2014

Wildlife officials have good news for buck hunters in Utah October 16, 2014

Wildlife officials, hunters out and about for Utah’s deer hunt October 19, 2014

..2013

Animals finding niche as Utah changes October 11, 2013 Utah

Annual deer hunt begins in Utah October 18, 2013

Biologists keeping an eye on deer, feeding deer December 12, 2013, Utah

BYU to study transplant deer January 5, 2013 Utah

Controversial predator control leaves questions September 13, 2013 Utah,

Deer hunting permits going down April 8, 2013 Utah

DWR recommends slight decrease in buck deer permits April 3, 2013 Utah

DWR renews crackdown on winter deer poachers January 7, 2013, Utah

DWR transfers mule deer to Millard January 16, 2013 Utah

Even with a bounty on their heads to protect mule deer, coyotes hard to count out May 1, 2013 Utah

Fewer deer hunting permits available this year May 7, 2013 Utah

Fewer takers than expected for Utah's new $50 coyote bounty October 6, 2013

Hunting in Northern Utah October 1, 2013

Kill a coyote in Utah and make $50 March 12, 2013 Utah

Long-Lasting Effects of Maternal Condition in Free-Ranging Cervids March, 2013 Eric D. Freeman ..., Utah

Monitoring big game, data collected from hunters April 4, 2013 Utah

More to deer hunt than meets the eye January 30, 2013 Utah

New group highlights hunting economics August 11, 2013 Utah

Oh deer; opening day of deer hunt begins with unusual deer behavior, poaching incidents October 19, 2013 Utah

Record $310,000 paid to hunt Utah mule deer on Antelope Island March 8, 2013 Utah

Relocating mule deer January 23, 2013 Utah

Report showcases Utah conservation success story February 1, 2013 Utah

Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife about wrong kind of bucks March 18, 2013 Utah,

Study of newborn fawns seeks insight into population declines November 6, 2013 Utah,

Study sends Utah's mule deer up in the air January 7, 2013

The maternal effect: How mother deer protect their future kings March 7, 2013 Utah

The Sly Coyote Becomes a Bounty Hunters' Target in Utah March 22, 2013

This is why there are far fewer deer — and tags — available for this available for this weekend's big deer hunt October 17, 2013

Utah 2013 hunting permit numbers: Some rise, some fall May 6, 2013

Utah Deer Hunting: By the Numbers October 16, 2013

Utah officials seeking public help for deer during cold snap January 15, 2013

Utah Pays $380000 In Bounty Money For Coyote Scalps In Effort To Reduce Mule Deer Fawn Fatality November 6, 2013

Utah's big deer hunt begins Saturday October 18, 2013

Wildlife officials propose deer transplants across Utah October 31, 2013 Utah

.2012

'Sportsmen,' so-called March 28, 2012 Utah

2012 general-season buck deer hunt begins Saturday with big changes October 18, 2012 Utah

500 fewer permits for Utah deer hunters May 3, 2012 Uta

Antelope Island, Deer on Antelope [Island] August 15, 2012 Utah

Antelope Island, Policy would define mule deer, bighorn sheep hunting on Antelope Island May 11, 2012 Utah

As deer migrate down for winter, dangers posed December 17, 2012 Utah

Attend a deer open house, buck to doe ratio February 24, 2012 Utah

BLM's wild horse management at a crossroad November 11, 2012 Utah

Book Cliffs, Herbert fumes as BLM reins in oil shale February 3, 2012 Utah

Buck Deer Permits Reduced Slightly‎ May 13, 2012

Cache County Board of Adjustments postpones decision on ski area appeal March 22, 2012 Utah

Conservation easements sought for Bear River December 3, 2012 Utah

Controversy aired over state wildlife contract August 16, 2012 Utah

Coyotes and Deer Focus of New Study May 7, 2012

Crews collar fawns to see why Utah’s deer numbers dropping July 3, 2012 Video

Deer doing well as winter winds down February 22, 2012 Utah

Drought in Daggett County prompting more elk tags August 28, 2012 Utah

DWR to set number of buck deer permits available for fall hunting season March 26, 2012 Utah

Enthusiasts set up cameras to snap photos of forest dwellersMarch 30, 2012 Utah

Feds approve gas-drilling project in eastern Utah June 18, 2012 Utah

Hunters might see more young bucks thanks to mild winter August 20, 2012 Utah

Hunters ready for general deer season, deer population October 15, 2012 Utah

Kane County ranchers win conservation award November 27, 2012 Utah

Mitigation Fund can be a boon to wildlife, guzzlers August 21, 2012 Utah

Patrolling the winter range November 26, 2012 Utah

Promontory's Mule Deer October 16, 2012 Utah

Proposed coyote bounty program a waste of money February 27, 2012 Utah

Richmond ski area gets green light with appeal denial March 30, 2012 Utah

Ski resort unsustainable January 3, 2012 Utah

Utah already mapping rehabilitation plans for burned out areas July 13, 2012

Utah bill seeks to exterminate up to 20000 coyotes February 10, 2012 Utah

Utah counties sue BLM over disputed roads May 8, 2012

Utah Deer Herd Status for 2012, Deer Numbers, Hunters Might See More Young Bucks August 10, 2012

Utah Hunters Criticize Market Approach to Licenses and Conservation December 1, 2012 Utah

Utah puts $50 bounty on coyotes May 25, 2012

What’s making Utah’s moose numbers rise and fall? December 16, 2012

Wildlife group wants more oversight of Utah's $1 million hunting tag program August 14, 2012 Utah

Will Utah clean up its sale of public wildlife? August 16, 2012

2011

"We Won't Tolerate Deer Poaching In Utah" December 20, 2011 Utah

2012 hunting rules outlined at meetings November 10, 2011 Utah

Agency proposes to expand hunting at wildlife refuges July 7, 2011 Utah

Alton mine expansion promises dollars, brings fears December 8, 2011 Utah

Antelope Island big game hunt back to vote September 27, 2011 Utah

Antelope Island mule deer/sheep hunt is under way November 16, 2011 Utah

Bryce Canyon: BLM releases study on coal mine near Bryce Canyon November 4, 2011 Utah

Bryce Canyon: Sierra Club national president in Utah for talks October 16, 2011 Utah

Bryce Canyon: Sierra Club opposing expansion of strip mine near Bryce Canyon December 8, 2011 Utah

Cougar hunting change proposed July 13, 2011 Utah

Decline in Utah mule deer worries wildlife board March 17, 2011 Utah

Deer Foundation Invests Over $375,000 for Utah Conservation Projects in 2011 November 17, 2011

Deer Management Plan in Utah April 19, 2011 Utah

DWR invites all to meeting for input ondeer management (declining mule deer populations) February 15, 2011 Utah

DWR meeting reveals concerns about deer herd April 22, 2011 Utah

DWR says less deer permits this year saves number of bucks September 29, 2011

DWR using helicopter to track deer mortality rates December 21, 2011 Utah

Habitat project to increase feed for wildlife November 29, 2011 Utah

Large Predator Decline Impacts On The Ecosystem July 19, 2011, Utah

Mule deer, bighorns may benefit from cougar hunting changes August 31, 2011 Utah

Sandy man arificially inseminates reindeer November 24, 2011 Utah

Ski area would displace deer, elk October 13, 2011 Utah

Sportsmen Support Common-Sense Energy Planning to Conserve Fish & Wildlife Habitat July 13, 2011

The latest evidence on harms to wildlife from oil and gas drilling June 2, 2011 Utah

Utah considers major deer and elk hunting changes August 13, 2011

Utah Deer Herd 2011 July 11, 2011

Where have all the hunters gone? November 20, 2011 Utah

Wildlife officials approve smaller deer hunting areas to better manage herds June 9, 2011 Utah

Coyote trapping topic of contested proposal December 14, 2010 Utah

DWR to reduce number of mule deer permits (decline in deer population) December 2, 2010 Utah

Massive overhaul of deer regulations called a victory for elite hunters December 18, 2010