FWIW last year the WB did not change permit numbers for general deer from those recommended. The only ones I see are for LE Elk on a couple of units.
Can they do it? Sure.
Can they do it? Sure.
Deer Herds / Guesses on Available Permits?
As we approach the opening of the Utah Big Game Application period, I've been pondering of late, especially after the big storm we had a couple of weeks ago about the conditions of the deer herds around the state. I am in the Tooele County area, and there's still some decent wintering ground in the county for the deer herd to get away from the gnarly snow depths of the higher elevations. That said, the deer herd still looks like it continues to decline. After the bad storm a couple of weeks ago, I was driving Hwy 36 south of Tooele and the snow depth was up almost to the shoulders of the deer and they were slowly pushing their way through the snow. Fortunately much at those lower spots has melted away. In other areas, I am just not seeing the numbers that I have historically seen. Kind of sad really!
This has me thinking... How are the deer doing elsewhere? My friend who lives up near Morgan Utah told me he saw the DWR truck in the area the other day overloaded with dead deer carcasses in the bed. How are the deer fairing in southwest Wyoming? I've seen some pictures of the heavy snows there on social media. Pics below are from a few deer I saw in southwest Wyoming mid-January. There was quite a lot of snow then, though most of the deer looked pretty healthy at the time. Hopefully those fat reserves have helped.
I expect the number of available deer permits to be even more reduced this coming hunting season. It will be my 12-year old sons first year hunting. He would like to hunt the LaSal unit if possible (if he can pull a permit)! Anyone in southeastern Utah that has a grip on the conditions there? I also have enough points to pull a Wyoming antelope permit this fall as well. but this heavy winter has me thinking it might be worth waiting another 2-3 years. I have some business in Afton at the end of March. Might have to take a joy ride around to see if those herds look alive still!
Anyone have some thoughts on this?
![Snow Deer Fawn Terrestrial animal Elk]()
![Snow Ecoregion Vertebrate Natural environment Mammal]()
![Vertebrate Snow Mammal Elk Terrestrial animal]()
![Snow Deer Elk Fawn Horn]()
This has me thinking... How are the deer doing elsewhere? My friend who lives up near Morgan Utah told me he saw the DWR truck in the area the other day overloaded with dead deer carcasses in the bed. How are the deer fairing in southwest Wyoming? I've seen some pictures of the heavy snows there on social media. Pics below are from a few deer I saw in southwest Wyoming mid-January. There was quite a lot of snow then, though most of the deer looked pretty healthy at the time. Hopefully those fat reserves have helped.
I expect the number of available deer permits to be even more reduced this coming hunting season. It will be my 12-year old sons first year hunting. He would like to hunt the LaSal unit if possible (if he can pull a permit)! Anyone in southeastern Utah that has a grip on the conditions there? I also have enough points to pull a Wyoming antelope permit this fall as well. but this heavy winter has me thinking it might be worth waiting another 2-3 years. I have some business in Afton at the end of March. Might have to take a joy ride around to see if those herds look alive still!
Anyone have some thoughts on this?
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F&G monitoring of mule deer fawn and elk calf survival through February is tracking lower than in recent years
Through the month of February, mule deer fawn and elk calf survival are slightly lower in years past, but southeast Idaho’s severe winter has Fish and Game biologists carefully monitoring the region’s deer and elk herds. As of March 1, 72% of fawns and 92% of calves with tracking collars have...
"In Unit 69 near Idaho Falls, 43% mule deer fawns have died. And in Unit 76 along the Wyoming border, 67% of fawns did not survive the region’s severe winter."
Depends on the area. The toughest month for winterkill is usually April. Also have read that they are seeing lots of gelled marrow in the dead - a sign of severe malnutrition and likely occurring in those that have not yet died.
If only the DWR could back up the hatchery truck into a depopulated and newly filled/rejuvenated Henries or Pauns and have 170 bucks after 2 years, like what we see with Minersville rainbows.
Couple other quick thoughts.
1. They actually did this with Henries Bison a couple years ago when the Wayne county ranchers were freaking out about how bad the range conditions were.
2. SFW and their minions on the WB would absolutely lose their minds with such an approach. While it may be entertaining to watch, it is pretty unlikely to happen with the kings deer.
This is exactly correct -- unlike with fish, we can't simply stock more deer from hatcheries. but, I think the concept is still legit. Had we increased tags in northern Utah in 2022 (2021, 2020) and reduced the size of the herds in those units, would our mortality rate today, and in the coming months, be at 70%? Or would it be lower? Also, you have to consider that the deer today are dying - regardless of what we did yesterday. So, why not allow hunters to harvest those deer anyway?If only the DWR could back up the hatchery truck into a depopulated and newly filled/rejuvenated Henries or Pauns and have 170 bucks after 2 years, like what we see with Minersville rainbows.
I know. I'm crazy. But we can't keep trying to save deer only to have them die anyway. Let's harvest them.
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