http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

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The Division of Wildlife Resources recommended a statewide total of 71,600 deer tags this year, a decrease of 2% from last year. Years of dry conditions in Utah have hurt mule deer numbers, which have stayed below state wildlife officials’ population targets. The extremely heavy snowpack of this past winter killed many deer and left others worse for wear. Fawns, in particular, did not survive well in parts of the state, but did well in desert areas. The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah), May 1, 2023 The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recommends a decrease in the number of general-season deer hunting permits for a fifth straight year, but is seeking public feedback on this and other hunting recommendations. Some of the factors that adversely affect the deer population are poor or limited habitat, predators and harsh weather, such as drought or excessive snowfall like the state has had this winter. The proposal is for a decrease of 4,800 permits in Northern Utah (about 20% fewer than last year) and a decrease of 1,000 permits in Northeast Utah (about 11% fewer than last year). Increases are proposed for central, southern and southeastern Utah. KSTU-FOX 13 (Salt Lake City, Utah), April 4, 2023