The Utah Wildlife Board met last week and made final decisions on hunting permits.
The Board approved a total of 80,200 general-season deer hunting permits, which is an 8,675 permit increase from the previous year. “During our big game captures this last winter, we found that a majority of the deer throughout the state were healthy and in good condition, with high body fat,” shares DWR Big Game Coordinator Dax Mangus. “We experienced favorable weather conditions this past winter and are seeing benefits from habitat improvement, predator management and other work done to directly benefit mule deer. We are excited to offer an increase to deer permits for the 2025 hunting season.”
The current statewide elk management plan includes an objective to have almost 80,000 elk across Utah — there are currently an estimated 82,140 elk in the state. The board approved a slight increase in public draw limited-entry bull elk permits for the 2025 hunts. An increase in antlerless elk permits was also approved in order to manage the overall population numbers to meet management objectives.
