ST. GEORGE — Mule deer populations are reportedly doing well in Southern Utah, which has led to a proposed increase in the number of general-season deer hunting permits issued, as many other units see a decrease. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is now seeking public input on this and other 2023 changes.
The DWR’s objective is to maintain about 404,000 mule deer in Utah, with current population estimates at 335,000, according to a news release issued by the division.
Various factors can impact deer numbers, such as poor or limited habitat, predators and weather, DWR Big Game Coordinator Dax Mangus said in the release. The most important factor driving population numbers are doe and fawn survival rates following the winter season.
“The way we hunt buck deer in Utah doesn’t drive deer populations, but what happens with deer populations drives how we hunt buck deer,” he said.
While most deer observed had “good body fat conditions,” doe and fawn survival varied throughout the state, depending on the snowfall severity in any particular area.
While a severe winter in Northern Utah negatively impacted deer populations, southern counties boasted high survival rates, according to the release.
The 2022 monsoon season in Southern Utah benefited does and fawns, giving them greater access to forage. And they “entered the winter months larger in size and in better body condition than they have for the last several years,” DWR’s Southern Region Outreach Manager Adam Kavalunas wrote in an email to St. George News, quoting biologist Jason Nichols.
Additionally, while most of Southern Utah’s mountains saw higher winter precipitation, the snow typically melted between storms, Nichols said.
“We didn’t see significant snow depths as in northern Utah, and good forage was always available,” he said in the email.
For these reasons, the DWR proposed issuing an additional 3,275 general-season deer permits in Southern Utah — a 28% increase, according to the release.
Comparatively, the recommendation decreases Northern Utah’s permits by 4,800. Statewide, the division plans to reduce permits by 1,475, issuing 71,600 total.
Ten of the state’s 31 deer hunting units will see decreased permit numbers, the release adds.
“For several years, we have had more demand for deer hunting in Utah than we have the supply for. … Biologists look closely at each hunting unit and individual situation when they make permit recommendations,” Mangus said.
“We are recommending a decrease for both buck deer and antlerless deer permits again this year, but the circumstances of individual deer populations vary greatly across the state. We use the best available data and our management plans to make proactive recommendations for the herd health of our wildlife.”
The DWR recommended increasing the number of public and private antlerless permits issued through the Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit program to 1,147 and 147, respectively.
Like mule deer, winter’s impact on elk varies across the state, but adult survival is typically high, the release states. However, extreme drought conditions can reduce pregnancy rates.
Currently, there are an estimated 82,960 elk in Utah, several thousand higher than the division’s population objective, so they are recommending a small increase in bull elk permits for 2023.
Permit numbers are determined in accordance with management plans created to maintain healthy wildlife populations, the division writes.
Other factors considered include buck-to-doe ratios, current population estimates and demographics, data from GPS collars, animal body conditions, the previous year’s harvest rates and environmental conditions.
The division has also recommended amending big game regulations. For instance, one proposal would end free replacement permits for harvested animals that have tested positive for chronic wasting disease.
Additionally, the new rules would outlaw selling inedible byproducts of game meat due to disease concerns.
The Utah Wildlife Board has asked the DWR to review new technologies and weapons and determine if their use should be allowed for hunting. The division’s recommendations include a ban on attaching electronics to handguns, bows or arrows, muzzleloaders, shotguns, rifles, air guns and crossbows, the release states.
This does not include illuminated reticles. Additionally, nocks, sight pins and cameras can be attached to crossbows, traditional bows and arrows. However, cameras cannot be used to take wildlife.
The DWR also recommended rule changes regarding restricted weapon hunts, various technologies and HAMSS hunts. HAMSS stands for handgun, archery, muzzleloader, shotgun and straight-walled rifle.
While the division values innovation, it also recognizes the need for common-sense regulations that limit technology use in hunting, in an effort to “preserve hunting traditions into the future and can increase opportunities for hunters,” DWR Wildlife Biologist Derrick Ewell said.
Public meetings will be held throughout the state, which can be attended in person or virtually. The DWR encourages the public to view the biologists’ presentations and submit feedback on their website. The public comment period opened April 4.
Southern Utah’s Resource Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for April 18 at 6 p.m. in the Cedar Breaks room of Southern Utah University’s Sharwan Smith Student Center at 351 W. University Boulevard.
Online comments for this region must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 13. Those who wish to comment on the proposals at the meeting should attend in person.
Photo Gallery
This table shows all the 2023 permit recommendations for big game and antlerless hunting seasons | Image courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News Pronghorns grazing near Strawberry Point Road, Duck Creek Village, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News A pronghorn near Strawberry Point Road, Duck Creek Village, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News A bull elk, date and location unspecified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News In this file photo, a buck stands in a snowy field, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News Biologists with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are recommending an increase in the number of general season buck deer permits available for hunts in Southern Utah this fall, date and location unspecified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News Biologists with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are recommending an increase in the number of general season buck deer permits available for hunts in Southern Utah this fall, date and location unspecified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News Biologists with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are recommending an increase in the number of general season buck deer permits available for hunts in Southern Utah this fall, date and location unspecified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News Biologists with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are recommending an increase in the number of general season buck deer permits available for hunts in Southern Utah this fall, date and location unspecified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News Two pronghorns wander on a hillside, date and location unspecified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News Closeup of a pronghorn, date and location unspecified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News Two bull elk stand in a mountain field in northern Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News A bull elk wanders past aspen stands, date and location unspecified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News Bull elk stand in a field with a view of distant mountains, date and location unspecified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News 
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