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SALT LAKE CITY — The number of deer hunting permits in Utah is again decreasing this year as the species continues to feel the brunt of the state and region-wide drought.
The Utah Wildlife Board on Thursday approved a reduction of 950 general-season deer permits, as well as 350 total fewer limited-entry and antlerless deer permits after the state biologists reported the state's mule deer population fell by 9,150 last year to an estimated 305,700 deer. The number of deer is nearly 100,000 below the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' objective goal for the state.
State wildlife biologists blame the decline on Utah's drought, which impacts water supply and wildlife habitats for deer especially. Covy Jones, the division's big game coordinator, says it's poor timing for hunters because there has been an uptick in hunting interest in recent years.
But ultimately, the health of the population drives the number of permits issued every year.
"We currently have more demand for deer hunting in Utah than we have the supply for," he said. "While it is antlerless deer permits, not buck permits, that impact deer population numbers, we are recommending a decrease for both types of permits. We use the data and management plans to make proactive recommendations to achieve healthier herds."
The division will still sell 73,075 general-season deer hunting permits this year. There will also be 1,899 combined premium limited-entry, management buck, "HAMS" limited-entry, limited-entry and antlerless deer permits available to Utah hunters this year.
{#quote} Meanwhile, the statewide drought has had little impact on elk, which are managed in a different way than deer. They are managed by the average age of the species harvested on the land, which helps biologists know the quality of elk in the state, Jones explained.
The average age of the state's bull elk harvested is currently within upper the range of the state's bull elk target of 4.5 to 8 years of age.
The popularity of bull elk hunting in Utah, which overloaded the state's system and led to a failed permit lottery proposal, led to some consideration of allowing more permits. The wildlife board decided to mostly stick with the same number of permits as last year, however.
The number of general any bull elk permits will remain at 17,500 for adults, with a new clause for them to be unlimited for youth hunters. The number of general spike bull elk permits will also remain at 15,000. The board also approved a reduction of 337 antlerless elk permits across the state but increased limited-entry bull elk permits to 80.
Deer and elk hunting permits go on sale in July.
As for other permit changes, the board approved:
- 76 more buck pronghorn permits for 1,249 total, and 126 fewer doe permits for 278 total
- Two fewer bull moose permits for 110 total, and three antlerless moose permits for 18 total
- Nine more bison permits for 158 total
- 10 fewer desert bighorn sheep permits for 71 total, and 10 fewer Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep permits for 57 total
- Five fewer Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep ewe permits for five total
- 16 fewer Mountain goat permits for 104 total