Wildlife board increases big-game hunting permits

"We've confirmed that the herd is doing really well. That's why we recommended that the board raise the number of bison permits available for the Henry Mountains this fall."

General season buck deer permits were one group of permits that board members decided not to increase. The total number of Utah general season buck deer permits will stay at 95,000 in 2007.

In 2005, general season buck deer permits in the Central and Northeastern regions were cut by 1,000 permits each. The permits were cut because the three-year buck-to-doe ratio in each region had fallen below the minimum of 15 bucks per 100 does called for in Utah's Deer Management Plan. As a result, the total number of Utah general season buck deer permits was reduced from 97,000 — the level where permits had been since 1994 — to 95,000 permits.

Surveys conducted by DWR biologists after the 2005 and 2006 hunts found that the three-year buck-to-doe average in the Northeastern Region had increased to 15 bucks per 100 does. That number meets the objective called for in the state's deer management plan.

In the Central Region, the three-year average had fallen slightly to 13 bucks per 100 does.

Based on the findings, the DWR recommended returning 1,000 permits to the Northeastern Region.

Citizens representing the Northeastern Regional Advisory Council voted against the DWR recommendation, however. They expressed concerns that allowing 1,000 additional hunters in the region could cause the buck-to-doe ratio to fall back under 15 bucks per 100 does.

Board members agreed with the RAC and voted not to return the 1,000 permits to the region.

Permit numbers for 2006, and the number of permits the board approved for 2007, are listed below:

General buck deer — 95,000 in 2006; 95,000 in 2007

Limited entry deer — 999 in 2006; 1,014 in 2007

Limited entry bull elk — 1,835 in 2006; 2,169 in 2007

Pronghorn antelope — 855 in 2006; 833 in 2007

Moose — 138 in 2006; 151 in 2007

Bison — 29 in 2006; 81 in 2007

Rocky Mountain goat — 79 in 2006; 90 in 2007

Desert bighorn sheep — 36 in 2006; 39 in 2007

Rocky Mountain bighorn — 15 in 2006; 18 in 2007

A list showing the total permits for each unit in the state is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/2007permits.