Utah Wildlife Board Updates Conservation Plans For Sheep And Deer

The Utah Wildlife Board approved several updates to wildlife management plans and conservation programs during its recent public meeting on Thursday. These changes included updates to statewide plans for mountain goats and bighorn sheep, revised population objectives for mule deer in southeastern Utah, and adjustments to conservation and expo permit allocations.

The Utah Mountain Goat and Bighorn Sheep Statewide Management Plans, both adopted in 2018, are reviewed periodically to ensure they meet current conservation needs. According to a press release, updates approved by the board include adding Fremont Island as a potential site for future Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep reintroduction and adding the Boulder hunting unit as a possible location for desert bighorn sheep reintroduction. Other changes involve refining public processes before bighorn sheep transplants and involving hunters in disease prevention and response efforts, while maintaining herd health and fair chase standards. Clerical and state code updates were also incorporated to align with recent legislative changes.

“These plans are really important in guiding our objectives to maintain healthy mountain goat and bighorn sheep populations in Utah,” said Rusty Robinson, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) Once-in-a-Lifetime Species Coordinator, in a press release. “We really appreciate those who serve on the committees and provide input on these plans and the associated updates.”

Deer Population Objectives Adjusted In Three Units

The board also approved increases to deer population objectives on three southeastern Utah units due to updated modeling that showed higher current population estimates. The La Sal, La Sal Mountains unit objective rose from 8,000 to 11,500, the Manti/San Rafael unit from 28,000 to 38,000, and the San Juan, Abajos unit from 13,500 to 17,000.

Conservation funding efforts were also reviewed. Since 2001, conservation permits have generated over $88 million for habitat restoration, wildlife transplants, and research projects. In 2025 alone, 336 conservation permits — representing less than two percent of all permits — raised more than $8.7 million. Expo permits, available through a public drawing at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo, generated just over $2 million for similar efforts.

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The board approved audits and reports for both programs and set allocations for the 2026 expo permits. A minor change included reducing one archery elk permit for the Wasatch Mountains unit and adding one pronghorn permit for the Parker Mountain unit. The board also finalized the 2026 meeting schedule for both the Wildlife Board and Regional Advisory Councils.