Utah Wildlife Board Unveils 2030 Mule Deer Plan For Enhanced Hunting

The Utah Wildlife Board has adopted an updated statewide mule deer management plan and approved new hunting strategies as part of a broader effort to enhance wildlife management and hunting opportunities. The decisions were made during a public meeting held Thursday.

Updated Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan

The updated Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan, which will be in effect through December 2030, replaces the previous plan set to expire this December. Developed by a committee of diverse stakeholders, the plan incorporates recent scientific studies and data, aiming to bolster mule deer populations while maintaining hunting opportunities.

“This updated management plan incorporates all the latest scientific studies and research data about mule deer,” said Dax Mangus, Big Game Coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), in a press release. “We are taking all of the recent research and incorporating that into management efforts to increase deer populations in Utah.”

Key updates include revised population goals and strategies, sustainable harvest objectives, and measures to address chronic wasting disease (CWD). Strategies include increasing targeted predator removal, habitat restoration, and disease management through expanded testing and targeted hunting. Additionally, permit numbers may now be adjusted annually by up to 20% in response to GPS tracking data, habitat conditions, and weather.

The plan also modifies some hunting units’ buck-to-doe ratios to optimize herd productivity and increase hunter participation. This adjustment is intended to balance herd health with public demand.

New Hunting Strategies and Research

As part of a research study, the board approved new hunting strategies on four units. These strategies include restrictions on weapon technology for select hunts, aiming to assess their impact on mule deer populations and hunter satisfaction. Restricted muzzleloader and rifle hunts will take place on the Beaver, Boulder/Kaiparowits, and Cache units, while the Thousand Lakes unit will also see restricted archery hunts.

“Utah has the largest active mule deer research and monitoring program in the Western U.S.,” said Kent Hersey, Big Game Projects Coordinator. “We want to research their impacts on mule deer populations and understand the social implications of these strategies.”

The study, which will run from 2025 to 2028, also allows for adjusted permit numbers to maintain established buck-to-doe ratios on the affected units.

Additional Hunting Season Adjustments

The board approved hunting season dates for deer, elk, and pronghorn for 2025–2027 and introduced several new hunts. Notable additions include extended archery-only permits, new general-season deer hunts with updated boundaries, and targeted hunts to address CWD hotspots. The adjustments aim to address crowding, depredation issues on private lands, and disease concerns.

For other species, changes include new and discontinued hunts for bison, bighorn sheep, moose, and mountain goats. For example, a new Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunt was approved for Antelope Island, alongside plans to better align season dates for conservation permits with public hunts.

Rule Updates and Additional Approvals

The board also approved updates to rules governing hunting in Utah. These include defining antler point restrictions, limiting the use of GPS collar data for hunting purposes, and refining the allocation process for youth hunting permits. The changes aim to streamline processes and improve fairness in permit distribution.

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The Utah Wildlife Board’s decisions reflect an ongoing commitment to balancing conservation, research, and public engagement. The updates to the mule deer management plan and the introduction of new strategies highlight efforts to ensure sustainable wildlife populations while addressing the evolving needs of hunters and other stakeholders.