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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Wildlife Board recently approved some additional permits for several of the big game hunts in the fall of 2018.
Buck deer, buck pronghorn, bull moose and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunts were awarded additional permits at a meeting held on April 26, according to a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources news release. A majority of the state's big game species are doing well, according to Utah DWR big game coordinator Covy Jones, which allowed for the increase of permits.
Jones added that he was especially excited about the deer, pronghorn and bighorn sheep hunts. Based on the number of buck deer observed after last fall’s hunts, wildlife board members approved a recommendation to increase permits on 10 units.
The general rifle hunt has also been split into two hunts — a hunt in early October and a second hunt later in October — on most of the units where permits were increased for 2018, according to wildlife officials.
“If you enjoy hunting or viewing big game, it’s a great time to live in Utah,” Jones said in the news release.
The buck pronghorn permits were also increased because data collected in Utah and other states suggested that the survival rates for pronghorn — regardless of hunting— is relatively low. And the horns of buck pronghorns don’t grow much after the animal reaches 2 years old, wildlife officials said.
“Because we’re now managing for younger animals, we can offer more hunting opportunities this fall while still providing a quality opportunity for hunters,” Jone said.
Check the table below for the total number of big game permits being offered in Utah this fall:
Total number of approved permits for 2018-19 hunts:
| Hunt | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| General buck deer | 89,050 | 90,650 |
| Premium-limited entry deer | 184 | 184 |
| Management buck deer (including “cactus” bucks) | 61 | 71 |
| Limited entry deer | 1,191 | 1,133 |
| Doe deer | 1,470 | 1,955 |
| General any bull elk | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| Youth any bull elk | 500 | 500 |
| General spike bull elk | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| Limited entry bull elk | 2,833 | 2,876 |
| Cow elk, public draw | 9,830 | 10,090 |
| Cow elk, private lands only | 8,790 | 9,105 |
| Buck pronghorn | 849 | 883 |
| Doe pronghorn | 750 | 610 |
| Bull moose | 68 | 84 |
| Cow moose | 22 | 34 |
| Bison | 148 | 152 |
| Bison (archery only) | 10 | 15 |
| Desert bighorn sheep | 53 | 56 |
| Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep | 32 | 39 |
| Mountain goat | 106 | 117 |
| Mountain goat (archery only) | 2 | 4 |
Editor's note: The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources initially said the general rifle hunt would be split into two hunts with one in September and one in October. They have corrected that and the article has been updated to reflect that the first hunt will be in early October and the second hunt will be held later in October.
Editor's note: The content of this article was taken from a press release sent out by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. This is not information gathered by KSL.com reporters.
