Board's boost in hunting permits may help limit moose problems

The Utah Wildlife Board acted to try to reduce the number of moose walking onto roads and into back yards of Utah homeowners next year.

During its meeting last week, the board voted to more than double the number of cow moose permits available for hunts in Utah this fall. A total of 63 cow moose permits will be available. In 2005, a total of 25 were available.

Many of Utah's cow moose hunts take place on private property. Hunters are strongly encouraged to obtain written permission from landowners before applying for a permit that occurs on private land.

Hunters can apply for a 2006 Utah doe deer, doe pronghorn, cow elk or cow moose permit beginning May 23. Applications must be received no later than June 19 to be included in the draw for permits. Draw results will be available by July 27.

The number of antlerless permits available in 2005, and the number approved for hunts in Utah are:

• Cow elk — 5,982 issued in 2005, 4,999 available for 2006

• Doe deer — 1,680 issued in 2005,1,080 available in 2006

• Doe pronghorn — 452 issued in 2005, 587 available in 2006

• Cow moose — 25 issued in 2005, 63 available in 2006

Utah's moose populations have grown to the point that the DWR wants to start maintaining the number of moose the state has.

Providing 63 cow moose permits for this fall's hunts, with an additional 43 permits on Cooperative Wildlife Management Units, is a step in that direction.

Craig McLaughlin, big game coordinator for the DWR, said the DWR conducted its most recent moose survey in February 2005. After the survey, DWR biologists estimated the state's moose population at 4,130 animals. That's only 40 animals shy of a statewide objective of 4,170.

"While 4,130 moose is really close to the statewide objective, some of the state's individual moose units actually have more moose on them than the habitat can handle," McLaughlin said.

It's important to try to keep moose within the objectives called for in management plan, he said.

Because of the large number of moose, there have been a number of recent problems arise. They include people hitting moose with their cars and moose getting into back yards where they eat trees and pose a threat to people. Too many moose can also damage the habitat that moose and other animals rely on.