Utah Mule Deer Management Plan Changes

Mule deer hunters in Utah are often divided on whether management should prioritize increased hunting opportunities or the enhancement of trophy-quality bucks. Surveys conducted by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) have found that hunters desire more hunting opportunities, longer season dates, hunts during the rut, and less crowding. In other words, hunters want to hunt but prefer fewer people sharing the same opportunity. Additionally, hunters want to see larger-antlered deer and have more chances to hunt trophy-sized bucks without sacrificing tag opportunities. However, these competing desires are not all achievable simultaneously, and we will not manage wildlife based on unrealistic expectations.

This plan is grounded in realistic goals and expectations, considering what nature can sustainably produce. Our primary focus is on the health and productivity of mule deer populations. Hunters will then have the freedom to decide whether they prefer more frequent hunting opportunities or greater chances at harvesting trophy-sized animals, without negatively impacting the interests of other groups. By implementing targeted hunting strategies and predation controls, this plan seeks to make deer herds more productive while ensuring the persistence of trophy-sized mule deer. The longevity of these prized animals will be better supported, contributing to both the enjoyment of hunters and the health of the deer population.

Our objective is to increase the deer population to meet our established goals. Collar data shows that the biggest factors affecting deer populations are cougars, coyotes, and nutrition—specifically, winter nutrition in northern areas and summer nutrition in southern areas. Highway mortality and migration barriers are also among the most significant challenges our deer populations face today. The overall population size plays a major role in the number of tags allocated each year.

Our second objective is to grow bigger bucks. Bucks require age, nutrition, and genetics to reach their full potential. Buck age class is primarily influenced by human hunting and cougar predation. Hunts will be structured to help some bucks reach maturity. Antler growth is largely dictated by summer nutrition. Genetics pose a challenge because hunters tend to harvest the best genetic bucks, leaving poorer genetic bucks to breed and grow old. Our hunting strategy will help mitigate this issue.

Changes to Hunting Seasons and Dates:

Archery Any Buck Season:

Starts the 4th Saturday in August and lasts 14 days.

2-Point Only Archery Season:

Begins the day after the Any Buck Archery season ends and lasts 10 days.

Muzzleloader Any Buck Season:

Begins the 4th Saturday in September and lasts 5 days.

2-Point Only Muzzleloader Season:

Begins the day after the Any Buck Muzzleloader season ends and lasts 5 days.

Mid-Season Any Buck Rifle Hunt:

Begins the 2nd Saturday of October and lasts 5 days.

Mid-Season 2-Point Hunt:

There will be no Mid-Season 2-Point hunt.

Regular Season Any Buck Rifle Hunt:

Begins the 3rd Saturday of October and lasts 5 days.

2-Point Only Rifle Hunt:

Follows the Regular Season Any Buck Rifle Hunt and lasts 4 days.

November Hunts:

No, Any Buck hunts will take place in November.

3% of total tags will be allocated to a 2-Point Only rifle hunt starting the 2nd Saturday of November.

2-Point Only Management Hunts may occur in November to target mature, breeding-age bucks with small antlers while also providing hunting opportunities.

Purpose of 2-Point Only Hunts:

To provide consistent hunting opportunities for those who wish to hunt annually, while preserving trophy-class bucks for hunters willing to wait.

To encourage the harvest of deer with less desirable genetic traits.

To maintain a highly productive deer herd, increasing the total number of bucks harvested without negatively affecting the trophy quality of the herd. Yearling bucks have a high mortality rate, so harvesting young bucks provides more opportunities for harvest without significantly impacting the overall population dynamics. Buck-to-doe ratio objectives will remain the same regardless of the number of hunters harvesting yearling bucks. The more yearling bucks are harvested, the more mature bucks will remain on the landscape due to the buck-to-doe ratio remaining constant.

Tag Allocation:

55% of total tags will be designated for 2-Point Only hunts.

45% of total tags will be for Any Buck hunts.

Season Adjustments:

Any Buck hunt seasons will be shortened to allow more bucks with superior genetics to reach maturity and to accommodate more hunters in the field. This is accomplished because hunters become less selective with shorter seasons, allowing better genetic animals a higher chance of survival to maturity.

Draw Structure:

The draw structure for mule deer will allocate 10% of permits through a random draw, with 90% awarded to applicants with the most points. This will reduce point creep on limited entry units and ensure that every hunter has a chance to draw each year.

All hunters must apply for their chosen hunt. While there may be leftover tags, they will not be sold or reallocated, as unsold tags indicate lower demand for opportunity and a higher demand for trophy quality.

Buck-to-Doe Ratio Management:

All General Season deer units will be managed for 18-20 bucks per 100 does for the first three years.

If demand for 2-Point Only hunts exceeds the number of available permits, buck-to-doe ratio objectives may be adjusted.

The minimum buck-to-doe ratio will be set at 15 bucks per 100 does to maintain a healthy and sustainable buck population.

Limited Entry deer units will maintain their current buck-to-doe ratio management objectives.

A 7-day November Management Hunt will be added in Limited Entry units to manage the buck-to-doe ratio without negatively impacting top-end bucks.

5% of the total tags (minimum of 2) on Limited Entry units will be allocated to the November 2-Point Only hunt and will be considered a General Season hunt.

Aside from the new 2-Point Only hunt, Limited Entry management hunts will remain unchanged.

Resident Hunter Application Restrictions:

Resident hunters may apply for only 2 of the following hunts: Limited Entry Deer, General Season Deer, Dedicated Hunter Deer, Spike Elk, Cow Elk, Any Bull Elk, or Antelope.

All 2-Point hunts will be considered a General Season deer choice.

You may only have 1 elk choice per year.

Youth hunters may purchase leftover tags without losing points.

This structure allows individuals to choose whether they want opportunity or trophy quality.

Alternative Application Structure To The One Listed Above:

To further balance hunting opportunities and trophy quality, the following changes could be proposed:

There will no longer be separate categories for General Season Deer, Limited Entry Deer, General Elk, Cow Elk, Limited Entry Elk, or Limited Entry Antelope.

Deer points will be combined into a single pool, and elk points will be similarly consolidated.

Any deer hunt will use your deer points, and any elk hunt will use your elk points.

Hunters will be allowed to apply for one deer hunt and one elk hunt annually.

Hunters may choose to forgo applying for either a deer or elk hunt to apply for an antelope hunt.

Youth hunters may purchase leftover Cow Elk, Spike Elk, or 2-Point Only Mule Deer permits without losing points.

This structure encourages hunters to make deliberate choices between frequent hunting opportunities and the pursuit of trophy animals.

Predation Management:

Cougar and Coyote Impact:

Cougars and coyotes typically account for about half of fawn and doe mortalities annually.

Given that predation is a significant factor in fawn and doe mortality, managing predator populations will be a top priority for sustaining healthy deer populations and preserving trophy-quality bucks.

Cougar Control:

Cougar and coyote removal will be prioritized in areas where predation significantly impacts mule deer populations and Trophy Quality. 

When cougar predation exceeds 5% of the deer population annually and deer numbers fall below objectives, $2,000 bounties will be placed on cougars.

Coyote Control:

When fawn mortality due to coyotes exceeds 20% and mule deer populations are below objectives, additional measures beyond the current plan will be implemented to reduce coyote numbers.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management:

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disorder that affects mule deer and other cervids. It is caused by prions—misfolded proteins that lead to brain damage, weight loss, behavioral changes, and ultimately death. There is currently no cure or vaccine for CWD. Since 2002, 262 mule deer have tested positive for CWD in Utah.

Herd Management Adjustments:

To mitigate the spread of CWD, there will be no November trophy hunts, as the risks associated with these hunts outweigh the benefits.

While reducing deer populations may seem like a solution, widespread culling is neither effective nor acceptable. Instead, the focus will be on research and education to better understand CWD and explore future solutions.

Public Education:

Educate hunters on the risks and symptoms of CWD.

Encourage proper disposal of deer carcasses to prevent environmental contamination.

Habitat and Highway Mortality Mitigation:

Continue implementing current plans to reduce highway-related mule deer mortality.

Continue habitat improvement initiatives, emphasizing enhancements to summer range habitats in drought-affected areas.

Summary:

This is a supplement to the current Utah Mule Deer Management Plan. The plan is not complete as is. It focuses primarily on major changes that will make the biggest difference. We will continue to review and discuss additional modifications to help achieve our goals, including weapons restrictions, other types of hunting restrictions, and habitat improvement projects. These projects include burning and other treatments on summer ranges, adding clean water to areas, improving winter ranges, and assessing the effects of winter feeding in specific areas. We will also discuss strategies to get and keep more animals in underutilized winter and summer range areas.

We will address highway issues, exploring mitigation strategies beyond just fencing, and delve into diseases to understand their impact on our mule deer populations. Many projects and improvements will be proposed to support our deer populations, but we will prioritize those with the largest impact on mule deer population growth and trophy quality.

Conclusion:

By adopting these strategies into our state's management plan, we will increase mule deer herd productivity and ensure the persistence of trophy-sized bucks. Hunters will have the flexibility to choose between frequent hunting opportunities and the pursuit of larger, more mature bucks. Balancing genetic selection, predation control, disease management, and habitat improvement will support a thriving, sustainable mule deer population in Utah.

The benefits of this plan will extend beyond hunters to include shed hunters and wildlife photographers. A healthier and more robust mule deer population will enhance opportunities for observing and photographing mature bucks in their natural habitats and increase the chances of finding quality shed antlers, contributing to the enjoyment of all who appreciate Utah's wildlife.

By adopting these strategies into our state's management plan, we will increase mule deer herd productivity and ensure the persistence of trophy-sized bucks. Hunters will have the flexibility to choose between frequent hunting opportunities and the pursuit of larger, more mature bucks. Balancing genetic selection, predation control, disease management, and habitat improvement will support a thriving, sustainable mule deer population in Utah.

Written by Chuck Hammond