4K additional deer permits, new cow elk hunt approved for 2016

4K additional deer permits, new cow elk hunt approved for 2016

(Scott Root/Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Due to growing populations, the Utah Wildlife Board recently approved adding more than 4,000 general buck deer hunting permits for the 2016 fall hunts, as well as a new cow elk hunt that offers 12,010 private lands-only permits.

The additional wildlife hunting permits were proposed in March and were approved at a Utah Wildlife Board Meeting held April 28.

Mule deer

The number of deer in Utah has increased for the fourth consecutive year, and the ratio of bucks to does is the best it’s been in decades, according to the Division of Wildlife Resources. Biologists with the DWR estimate Utah’s deer population is more than 384,000 animals, based on surveys completed after the 2015 fall hunts.

A total of 90,675 general buck deer hunting permits will be offered this fall, up from last year’s 86,550 permits. Hunters can see if the unit they applied for is among those with additional permits by checking the DWR website.

Total number of permits approved:

Hunt 2015 2016
General buck deer 86,550 90,675
Premium limited-entry deer 184 184
Management buck deer 46 55
Limited entry deer 1,058 1,166
Doe deer 625 755
General any bull elk 14,300 15,000
Youth any bull elk 500 500
General spike bull elk 15,000 15,000
Limited entry bull elk 2,938 2,752
Cow elk- public draw 15,360 13,680
Cow elk- private lands only 0 12,010
Buck pronghorn 804 771
Doe pronghorn 844 630
Bull moose 65 68
Cow moose 0 20
Bison 80 96
Desert bighorn sheep 41 42
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep 37 38
Mountain goat 107 102

Cow elk

Elk populations are also thriving in Utah, with an estimated 79,230 elk in the state, DWR said. However, many hunters and landowners are facing the challenge of the elk moving from public lands to private lands when the hunt begins, which is why DWR recommended adding more private lands-only permits.

A total of 12,010 private lands-only permits on 15 units were approved for the 2016 cow elk hunts. Hunters can buy one of the new permits starting July 21. The Wasatch Unit in north-central Utah is one of the 15 units that will have private lands-only permits this year.

“On the Wasatch unit, we want to increase harvest on private lands and decrease hunting pressure on public lands,” DWR big game coordinator Justin Shannon said. “Over time, the increased hunting pressure on private land should push the elk to public land, giving hunters more access to them in the future.”

Hunters should remember that even if they have a private lands permit, they must obtain written permission from the landowner before hunting on their property.

Cow moose

Along with the additional mule deer and cow elk permits, some cow moose permits were also approved for the 2016 hunts — for the first time since 2011. A total of 20 cow moose hunting permits are being offered for the East Canyon and Ogden Units in northern Utah. Applications for the cow moose drawing will be accepted starting May 26.

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Faith Heaton Jolley

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