Wildlife Board approves big game hunting permits
Salt Lake City -- Depending on which unit you applied for, you might have a better chance at drawing a permit to hunt big game in Utah this fall.
At their meeting on April 26, members of the Utah Wildlife Board—a panel of seven citizens appointed by the governor—approved permit numbers for this fall’s hunts. Buck deer, buck pronghorn, bull moose and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are among the animals for which more permits will be available.
Covy Jones, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says most of the state’s big game species are doing well. He credits much of the success to implementation of species management plans that are drafted by DWR biologists and members of the public and approved by the Utah Wildlife Board. “If you enjoy hunting or viewing big game,” Jones says, “it’s a great time to live in Utah.”
Starting May 5, the permit numbers for each of the state’s hunting units should be available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings.
Utah’s big game drawing will be held in May. If you applied for a permit earlier this year, you should know by May 30 if you drew one.
Permit numbers
The following is the total number of big game permits offered in Utah in 2017 and the number the Wildlife Board approved for 2018:
Hunt 2017 2018
General buck deer 89,050 90,650
Premium limited entry deer 184 184
Management buck deer 61 71
(including “cactus” bucks)
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
Big game animals doing well
While all of Utah’s big game species are doing well, Jones is especially excited about deer, pronghorn and bighorn sheep:
General buck deer
After the deer hunts are over each fall, DWR biologists go afield and classify the number of bucks, does and fawns on each unit. On 11 of Utah’s 29 general season units, biologists want to see 15 to 17 bucks per 100 does. On the remaining 18 units, the objective is 18 to 20 bucks per 100 does.
Based on the number of bucks observed after last fall’s hunts, board members approved a recommendation to increase permits on 10 units. On six units, fewer permits will be offered. On 13 units, permit numbers will stay the same as 2017.
The general rifle hunt has 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.
“Permits on these units will be split between two hunts,” Jones says. “Splitting the permits between two hunts should help reduce hunter crowding and hopefully allow everyone to have a good experience.”
Buck pronghorn
A new management plan for pronghorn means more hunters will have a chance to hunt buck pronghorn in Utah this fall.
Data collected in Utah and other states suggest two things about buck pronghorn. First, survival rates for bucks—even if no animals are taken by hunters—is relatively low: one out of every five bucks typically dies each year from a variety of causes other than hunting. Second, a buck pronghorn’s horns don’t grow much after the animal reaches two years of age.
“Because of these lower survival rates,” Jones says, “and because most of their horn growth occurs by two years of age, it doesn’t make sense to manage for older pronghorn.”
Utah’s pronghorn management plan was revised in fall 2017. “The plan directs us to manage the population so the average age of pronghorn taken by hunters is between two and three years of age,” he says.
In past years, most pronghorn taken by hunters in Utah were almost four years old.
“Because we’re now managing for younger animals,” Jones says, “we can offer more hunting opportunities this fall while still providing a quality opportunity for hunters.”
Bighorn sheep
In the case of Rocky Mountain bighorns, a new population on the Oak Creek Mountains has increased to the point that hunters can take a few rams. “And the population on the Newfoundland Mountains is doing really well,” Jones says. “We’re excited that more Rocky Mountain and desert bighorn sheep opportunities will be available in Utah this fall.”
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Editor’s note: It’s that time of year again, the time when mule deer fawns are born and people start finding the baby animals in Utah’s backcountry.
The following news release is the DWR’s annual reminder about why does hide their fawns and what Utahns should do, if they find a deer fawn in the wild.
“I Found a Deer Fawn. What Should I Do?”
DWR provides some answers
If you hike in an area where deer live in Utah, don’t be surprised if you come across a deer fawn, or maybe even an elk calf, in early summer.
If you find a baby animal, what should you do?
The answer is simple: leave it right where you found it. Don’t approach it, don’t touch it, and, by all means, don’t pick it up and bring it home.
You may not realize it, but if you pick a baby animal up, you’ve just removed it from its mother. And, if you approach a fawn and cause the animal to run, it will be difficult for its mother to find it.
Don’t touch or move it
If you find a baby animal in the wild, Justin Shannon, Wildlife Section chief for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says you probably won’t see its mother. Not seeing its mother might lead you to believe that the animal has been abandoned. But that’s rarely the case.
“Actually,” Shannon says, “deer fawns are alone and isolated during their first weeks of life. And that’s on purpose. The mother knows leaving the fawn alone is the best way to protect it from predators.”
Shannon says newborn big game animals fall into two categories: followers and hiders.
Followers include bison calves and bighorn sheep lambs, which follow their mothers shortly after they’re born. Hiders, such as mule deer fawns and elk calves, do the opposite—they hide, alone, for most of the day.
During the day, a doe deer will reunite with its fawn for a short time, to nurse it and care for it. Then, to draw attention away from where the fawn is hiding, the mother will leave the fawn. The doe will spend the rest of the day feeding and resting.
Brock McMillan, professor at Brigham Young University, has researched deer fawns in Utah for years. He says hiding its fawn is the best way for the doe to protect it from predators. Fawns are born with a creamy brown coat that’s covered with white spots. This camouflaged coat allows the fawn to blend in with its surroundings.
“Also, fawns don’t give off much scent,” McMillan says, “so it’s difficult for predators to smell them. Hiding the fawn is the best way to keep the animal safe.”
After two or three weeks, the fawn grows strong enough to start accompanying its mother.
Do the right thing
So what should you do if you see a deer fawn or an elk calf in the woods, or even on the outskirts of town?
“Don’t approach it,” Shannon says. “Watch it or take a photo of it from a distance, but don’t approach it. In almost every case, the fawn has not been abandoned by its mother.”
Finding and petting newly born animals is another problem. “The animal’s survival depends on it being left alone,” McMillan says.
Even if you don’t touch the fawn, getting too close can cause the fawn to run away from you—and from its hiding place where its mother left it. When the mother comes back to care for the fawn, it won’t be there.
“Keeping your distance and not touching animals are the keys to keeping young animals alive,” McMillan says.
Learn how to live with wildlife
You can get more tips about living with wildlife from Wild Aware Utah. The tips are available at www.wildawareutah.org.
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Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day in Moab
See a diversity of birds at the Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve on May 12
Moab -- Spring is here, and wildlife migrations are in full swing. It’s a season of opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts, especially for those who enjoy observing migratory birds as they pass through southeastern Utah.
The Nature Conservancy and the Division of Wildlife Resources are hosting a celebration of World Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 12, at the Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve in Moab. Participants will have opportunities to join wildlife biologists as they tour the wetlands and encounter a diversity of birds.
“Wetlands are rare along Utah’s portion of the Colorado River, and that makes Moab’s wetlands vital habitat for wildlife,” said Linda Whitham, central canyonlands program manager at The Nature Conservancy’s Moab Project Office. “Migratory Bird Day is an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the diverse wildlife and habitat that southeastern Utah has to offer.”
In addition to a guided birding tour, Migratory Bird Day at the preserve will include stations where you can learn about mammals, native fish and aquatic insects. Other fun activities for families will also be offered. All events are free and open to participants of all ages.
The event will begin at the Kane Creek Entrance to the preserve, 934 W. Kane Creek Boulevard, in Moab. The birding tour will begin at 8 a.m., and all other activities will begin at 9 a.m. and end at noon. Dogs and other pets are not permitted on the preserve.
Almost 900 acres in size, the Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve is co-owned by The Nature Conservancy and the Division of Wildlife Resources. The organizations manage the preserve to benefit both resident and migratory wildlife that rely on wetland habitat. The preserve is open to the public and provides a diversity of recreation opportunities that involve wildlife.
You don’t have to register for the free event, but you’re encouraged to complete an online form. Completing the form will help the DWR make future events even better. You can complete the online form at https://goo.gl/zJqiL5.
For more information on Migratory Bird Day at the Matheson Preserve, call Whitham at 435-259-4214, or Morgan Jacobsen, regional conservation outreach manager for the DWR, at 435-613-3707.
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Women’s trap shooting clinic coming to Green River
DWR to host free clinic on May 19
Green River -- Trap shooting is a fun way to become more familiar with guns while enjoying time with friends. It’s also a sport enjoyed by many women throughout Utah.
The Division of Wildlife Resources will host a free Women’s Trap Shooting Clinic on Saturday, May 19, in Green River. The clinic will include introductory hands-on tutorials on shotguns, as well as time at the shooting range. It’s a perfect opportunity for women who have little or no experience at trap shooting as well as those who want to take their shooting abilities to the next level.
“Shooting clay pigeons out of the sky can be challenging. But, with the right form and a little practice, everyone has what it takes to get good at it,” says Walt Maldonado, the DWR’s Wildlife Recreation specialist in southeastern Utah.
The classroom portion of the clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Green River City Hall, 460 E. Main St. After lunch, you can put your skills to the test at the Green River Shooting Sports Park, east of town. Guns and ammunition will be provided, but if you have a shotgun and ammunition, feel free to bring it.
Participation is limited to the first 20 women, ages 12 or older, who register online at http://bit.ly/womens_trap. Participants must provide their registration tickets at the door. For more information, call Maldonado at 435-820-8147.
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More chances to take a turkey
DWR biologists recommend changes for 2018 – 2019 turkey hunt
Starting this fall, there might be more chances to take wild turkeys during Utah’s fall hunting season. And you might have more firearm and shot shell options to choose from.
Biologists with the Division of Wildlife Resources are recommending three major changes. Two apply only to Utah’s fall hunting season. A third applies to both the fall and the spring hunts:
· Allow hunters to buy up to three fall turkey hunting permits. Currently, those hunting in the fall may have only one fall hunting permit.
· During both the fall and spring seasons, allow hunters to use any shotgun firing BB or smaller diameter shot. Currently, hunters are required to use shotguns that range from 10 gauge to 28 gauge. And only shot sizes BB through 8 may be used.
· During the fall season only, allow hunters to hunt turkeys with rim fire firearms.
Learn more, share your ideas
You can see all of the DWR’s turkey and upland game bird recommendations at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings. After you’ve reviewed the ideas, you can let your Regional Advisory Council members know your thoughts by attending your upcoming RAC meeting or by sending an email to them.
RAC chairmen will share the input they receive with members of the Utah Wildlife Board. The board will meet in Salt Lake City on May 31 to approve turkey and upland game hunting rules and permits for Utah’s 2018 - 2019 season.
Dates, times and locations for the RAC meetings are as follows:
Southern Region
May 8
7 p.m.
Beaver High School
195 E. Center St.
Beaver
Southeastern Region
May 9
6:30 p.m.
John Wesley Powell Museum
1765 E. Main St.
Green River
Northeastern Region
May 10
6:30 p.m.
DWR Northeastern Region Office
318 N. Vernal Ave.
Vernal
You can also provide your comments to your RAC via email. Email addresses for your RAC members are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/rac-members.html.
The group each RAC member represents (sportsman, non-consumptive, etc.) is listed under each person’s email address. You should direct your email to the people on the RAC who represent your interest.
Fall hunt recommendations
Turkey populations, especially in parts of Cache County, have gotten large enough that the birds are coming into conflict with people. DWR biologists trapped and moved a record number of birds—548—from the county this past winter. Increased fall hunting is another tool that should reduce the number of birds.
“Hunting is still the best tool biologists have to manage wildlife populations, including turkeys,” Robinson says.
Biologists are recommending two changes that should increase the opportunity to take a turkey: allow hunters to have up to three fall permits and allow the use of rim fire firearms. Rim fire firearms are small caliber firearms, including the popular .22 long rifle and the .17.
“Allowing hunters to buy up to three fall turkey permits will give avid turkey hunters more chances to get into the field and hunt,” Robinson says. “And allowing hunters to use rim fire firearms might really appeal to young hunters who don’t want to shoot a shotgun.”
Gauge, shot size change
A change that would allow turkey hunters to use any shotgun, including a .410, would benefit both spring and fall hunters.
“.410 shotguns are a good option for many young, beginning hunters,” Robinson says. “We’d like to change the requirement and allow hunters to use these smaller guns.”
In addition, biologists want to allow the use of smaller shot sizes. Robinson says advances in shotgun shell design have made sizes as small as No. 9 effective for turkeys.
“Shells loaded with smaller shot sizes put out dense patterns that can be very effective in bringing a turkey down,” he says. “We’d like to give hunters the option to choose the gun and ammunition combination that works best for them and their hunting situation.”
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Fishing reports - available at http://wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots .
