Fewer antlerless permits issued for 2003

It was, overall, a mild winter. As a result, few big-game animals suffered the misery of freezing cold and starvation.

Still, when it came time to review the overall condition of Utah's big-game herds last week, the Utah Wildlife Board chose to issue fewer antlerless permits to hunters for 2003.

The reason had little to do with the winter but more with the long-standing drought Utah is experiencing.

There has been a noticeable reduction in the number of young born this spring among all species of big-game animals, including deer, elk, moose and pronghorn antelope.

The recommendations came from the five Regional Advisory Councils, which represent citizens of Utah, and from Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists.

Antlerless permit applications for this fall's hunts will be available by May 27 from hunting license agents, DWR offices and the DWR's Internet Web site at wildlife.utah.gov. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on June 16 to be included in the 2003 Utah antlerless draw. Results will be posted by July 31.

"Drought conditions make it harder for big-game animals — especially female deer and pronghorn antelope — to give birth to healthy fawns that will survive over time," said Jim Karpowitz, big-game coordinator for the DWR.

"Reduced fawn and calve production will result in smaller herd sizes and fewer animals available for hunters. There are good numbers of big-game animals in the state now, but we're concerned about the future of the herds and the condition of rangelands. We want to ensure that we only take enough female animals to keep herds within management plan objectives and within the capacity of the range."

The biggest permit reduction approved by the board was in doe deer permits. Board members approved 2,370 doe deer permits for this fall, down 2,675 from the 5,045 offered last year. Boardmembers also approved 10,720 cow elk permits, down 940 from the 11,660 available last year.

Doe pronghorn permits were reduced from 286 last year to 240 this year. Cow moose permits were reduced from the 55 offered last year to 23 this year.

The drop in elk permits is modest in comparison to deer. Elk are hardier animals and have not suffered as much as deer, officials noted.

Karpowitz pointed out that since low-water conditions began in 1998, annual doe/fawn ratios have dropped from more than 70 fawns per 100 does to slightly more than 40 fawns per 100 does.