Updates on Utah's wildlife from the DWR
Each week the DWR publishes interesting and informative stories about Utah's wildlife. If you want these stories delivered to your inbox just as soon as we publish them, please sign up for our weekly email.
The Utah Wildlife Board approved a new 10-year Utah Statewide Elk Management Plan, which includes several changes to elk hunting, along with a few other items during Thursday's public meeting at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Eccles Wildlife Education Center.
Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative works to improve and restore high-priority watersheds and habitats throughout the state. During this past fiscal year — between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 — a whopping 164,064 acres were improved across Utah through this unique program.
Watch the Utah Wildlife Board meeting live, beginning Thursday, Dec. 1 at 9 a.m. The agenda and meeting materials are available on the public meetings page.
Utah's growing population and related expansion have increased the number of wildlife encounters across the state in recent years. However, not every encounter or animal sighting needs to be reported to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is recommending a few updates to the rules regarding Utah prairie dogs — which would go into effect if they are delisted under the Endangered Species Act — as well as a few changes to bear hunting and furbearer seasons. The Division is seeking the public's feedback on the proposals.
If you like the idea of harvesting your own locally sourced turkey — instead of fighting the crowds to buy one at your neighborhood supermarket — you can start planning now for next year's Thanksgiving feast, and apply for an opportunity to hunt turkeys in Utah next spring.
Utah's swan hunting season has closed 24 days early after the federal quota of 20 trumpeter swans was met on Nov. 17. This is the fourth consecutive year that the swan hunt had to be closed early.
Blue Ribbon Fisheries are waterbodies that provide some of Utah's most exceptional, high-quality fishing experiences. This year, the program that designates and helps fund these fisheries allocated $450,000 toward 16 projects aimed at enhancing these waterbodies so they retain their elite status.
It's been two winters since horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides were offered through the middle of hundreds of wild elk at the Hardware Wildlife Management Area. Starting Dec. 2, the rides are back!
After seeing an uptick in issued warnings in recent years, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers are reminding the public that class 2 and class 3 electronic bikes are now illegal off-road on all wildlife and waterfowl management areas in Utah.
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