Below is part of a news release from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Go here to read the entire release that also includes a research study proposal, changes to weapon technology use and other information.
Harvest surveys have been required for all limited-entry big game hunts in Utah for approximately the past 20 years. This year, mandatory harvest reporting was also required for all the 2023 antlerless hunts.
Now, due to feedback from hunters, the DWR is proposing to also require mandatory harvest reporting for all of the general season buck deer and bull elk hunts in Utah, beginning in 2024. This will include:
- General season buck deer
- Dedicated hunter buck deer
- Youth general season buck deer
- General-season archery elk
- Spike bull elk
- Multi-season spike bull elk
- Any bull elk
- Youth general-season elk
“Hunters have been requesting these data for years, and technology now makes it easier to conduct these surveys and collect this information after the hunts,” Hersey said. “This would also help us to maintain more comprehensive and quality harvest data and would give us better insights into Utah’s big game hunts.”
Under this proposed recommendation, permit holders would have 30 days to report the results of their hunt after the hunting season ends. Anyone who doesn’t report would be excluded from the following year’s big game and antlerless applications. Anyone who reports their information late would be required to pay a fee of $50 to be eligible for the following year’s big game hunting applications.
(Photo credit: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)