Instead, the DWR is recommending more permits for deer herds that live in low-elevation valleys and don't migrate. Many of these deer are causing depredation and nuisance problems. Many of these deer are problems in the areas where they live.

Hunts for these deer are usually held in August and September, before deer from other areas migrate into these low-elevation areas to spend the winter.

Utah's elk populations are also doing well.

After last fall's hunts, DWR biologists estimated the state's elk population at more than 63,800. That's less than 5,000 animals away from a statewide goal of 68,200 elk.

"Elk herds on many of the state's units are actually over the population objective for those units," Aoude said.

The DWR wants to increase cow elk permits to bring these herds back to the number their habitat can sustain.

On units where elk are approaching the population objective, taking some cow elk will help ensure the herds don't grow too fast. "If a herd overshoots its population objective, then we have to recommend a lot of cow elk permits the following year," Aoude said. "That's something we don't want to do."

Moose populations in northern Utah are also doing well. In fact, populations near Ogden are doing so well that a new cow moose hunt has been created. The DWR is recommending 10 permits for the new hunt.

"There are so many moose in northern Utah that the moose are actually starting to damage their habitat," Aoude noted. "In addition to creating the new Ogden moose unit, we're also recommending more permits for some of the other units."

Utah's largest pronghorn antelope herd lives on the Parker Mountains in southwestern Utah.

During the past two years, doe pronghorn permits have been increased to try to bring the area's pronghorn population back to its objective. Biologists have also taken pronghorns off the Parker Mountains and transplanted them to other areas in Utah and outside the state.

"Our objective is to count 1,500 pronghorns on the unit after the hunts are over,"said Aoude. "We're getting close to that objective. That's why we're recommending a decrease in doe pronghorn permits this year."

Aoude said good weather and intense habitat improvement projects over the past few years are starting to pay off.

"All of Utah's big game animals are doing really well," he added.

"Over the past few years, much of the state has enjoyed mild winters and wet springs and summers," Aoude says. "All of these conditions help animals."

Aoude said fewer animals die during a mild winter. And a wet spring provides good vegetation for does and cows.

"Good vegetation in the spring helps does and cows produce more milk for their young. That results in strong, young animals," Aoude said. "Good summer rains also provide plenty of vegetation for the fawns and calves andcalves, which helps them grow to a good size before fall and winter arrive winterarrive."

For more information about the April 17 meetings, call the nearest DWR office or the Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700.