This year the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources issued 74,000 permits for the general season buck deer hunt. There are 814 people in Wasatch County and 956 in Summit County with a rifle or dedicated hunter deer tag. There are 1,366 and 1,466 respectively with a general deer permit, for archery, rifle, muzzleloader, or dedicated hunter.
It starts October 23 and runs through the 31st. An early buck deer hunt, which requires a separate license, began Wednesday and ends on the 17th. DWR Public Information Officer Faith Jolley said the fall is busy for big game sport hunters.
Utahns may apply, one each, for as many big game species as they want. They include bison, black bear, buck deer, buck pronghorn, buck elk, bull moose, desert bighorn sheep, mountain goat, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and wild turkey.
Jolley said due to the extreme drought conditions persisting throughout the state; there are fewer deer allotments this year than last.
"We allocate a specific number of permits for each species each hunting season. Each year those are typically proposed in April, and then they go through the public process so people can weigh in on those recommended permit numbers, and then they're approved by our wildlife board." Jolley said.
She said hunters should be aware that big game species are affected differently by drought conditions.
"So, with deer, our biologists don't have data yet. We haven't done any of our health checks and won't do those till later this fall. Typically, drought can impact deer by decreasing their body fat, leading to them being smaller, less antler growth. Elk are, however, not impacted quite the same as deer as they sometimes will have pregnancy rates reduced. So, we may see fewer calves being born next year." She added.
Every hunter in Utah must take a safety course. Heaton-Jolley said hunters should prepare for changing weather conditions, pack food and water, carry a first aid kit, and wear bright clothing. Jolley said hunting at night or spotlighting is illegal.
"It is their responsibility to make sure that they are following any safety recommendations. Know what is beyond your target before you shoot. Make sure you have a backstop before you fire a shot. So, know all of the laws. You need to know the regulations not only for safety but also make sure that you're doing these things legally, so you aren't going to get into trouble with it or get cited."
It's prohibited to hunt from roadways or within 600 feet of a building. Hunters must know the boundaries of their hunting unit and be aware of city ordinances.
A DWR wildlife calendar shows beginning and ending hunting seasons by species. You can see the calendar here.
