Utah Mule Deer Herd Health

[blacktailcentral]

Hello roksliders, I am hoping to draw a general season tag in Utah, and was wondering how residents feel the herd/buck numbers are? There has been alot of talk about the southern part of the state lacking water etc. Also what do the residents feel about the increase in general season tag numbers?

 

[Westhunt]

Hello roksliders, I am hoping to draw a general season tag in Utah, and was wondering how residents feel the herd/buck numbers are? There has been alot of talk about the southern part of the state lacking water etc. Also what do the residents feel about the increase in general season tag numbers?

Really depends on what part of the state. Northern Utah is looking good this year, but numbers are still recovering from the 22/23 winter. Southern Utah numbers are good, but drought could hurt em this summer. Dm with your unit and I might have a little more info.

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[Sward343]

Southern Utah is struggling, they changed regulations for multiple units, my unit changed to 4 point or better and shortened our season.

 

[blacktailcentral]

Southern Utah is struggling, they changed regulations for multiple units, my unit changed to 4 point or better and shortened our season.

I know the antler point restrictions have been shown to be ineffective, but do you think this will reduce the harvest of young bucks? I believe bucks previously only needed 4 or 5 inch spike to shoot and have heard many people shoot the first thing thats legal.

 

[Macegl]

Southern Utah is struggling, they changed regulations for multiple units, my unit changed to 4 point or better and shortened our season.

I thought the antler point restrictions didn’t pass the wildlife board?
I was also unaware of changes to the dates of any “general season” units.

In response to the OP, the Utah mule deer herd is struggling just like every where.

From pinion juniper encroachment, invasive annual grasses, increased highway traffic, predator population increases, elk competition, recreation etc. We have all the same issues everyone else does.

The sky isn’t falling, and deer aren’t going extinct, but there’s a lot of reasons mule deer numbers are declining everywhere.

 

[roadhntr]

Send me a DM and I'll answer some of your questions.