Agency funds 115 deer-related projects during fiscal year 2024
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) has made mule deer its focus over the past few years, working to improve habitat to sustain healthy populations. That’s because the species has experienced periods of growth and decline over the past few decades, with the current 2024 post-hunting season population estimate at approximately 295,200 deer – or 73% of the long-term management objective of 404,900 deer, according to a news release.
Between July 2023 and June 2024, the agency funneled $38 million toward 115 deer-related projects, which restored more than 133,000 acres across the state.
“These important projects were administered through Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative and the DWR Habitat Council, which coordinates, facilitates and promotes these important habitat restoration projects that improve the quality and quantity of habitats for deer and other wildlife,” said Daniel Eddington, UDWR’s habitat conservation coordinator. “One of the problems we are currently facing is that many of the ecosystems that deer rely on for food have limited or older vegetation with limited nutritional value. For mule deer populations to thrive in Utah, it is essential that extensive habitat treatments be completed to revert sagebrush habitat areas back to young, shrub-dominated plant communities and to restore aspen communities.”
The agency also recently released a new online mule deer dashboard, which provides in-depth information on deer populations, habitat management, ongoing research and more. It’s a way for hunters to access the information as a “one-stop shop,” according to Dax Mangus, UDWR’s big game coordinator.
“Hunters and others can find valuable deer-specific information including migration research, harvest success, population estimates by hunting unit, habitat projects, predator management, unit management plans, videos and podcasts about deer management and other relevant facts about deer,” said Mangus. “We hope this easy-to-use webpage is a helpful resource for those who are passionate about deer."
Willow Watershed improvements project in the Book Cliffs area of Uintah County: This project helped provide additional feed and improved the streambed in the area by removing trees that were crowding out other, more beneficial plants, reseeding the area, and maintaining and building new beaver dam analog structures in Willow and Meadow creeks.
Salina Creek phase 5 project in Sevier County: Prescribed fire was implemented during this project to remove trees that were crowding out and decreasing needed sagebrush and other beneficial plants for deer. The area was then reseeded, and two water guzzlers were also installed.
Wallsburg WMA shrub restoration project in Wasatch County: During this project, non-native and invasive grasses were removed, and the area was reseeded with more beneficial plants for deer. In addition, over 6,400 shrubs were planted in the wildlife management area.
I-15 exclusion fence in Box Elder County: During this project, the Utah Department of Transportation installed a total of 10 miles of wildlife exclusion fencing and wildlife escape ramps along I-15, from Plymouth to Riverside. They also installed cattle guards by the exit ramps. This area was a documented "hot spot" for a high number of deer/vehicle collisions, so the additional fencing and other measures will reduce collisions and improve highway safety.
