New opportunities are in store for hunting deer and elk in Utah in 2018. The Utah Wildlife Board has approved the following. The rifle buck deer hunt will now be split into two hunts – an early season and a regular season hunt. Those who buy a multi-season elk hunting permit can hunt all three seasons on Utah’s spike-only and any-bull general elk hunting units. There will now be a special “cactus buck” hunt on a limited entry unit in southwestern Utah. One recommendation that was NOT approved was the addition of a late-season limited-entry muzzleloader buck deer hunt on all of Utah’s 29 general deer hunting units. Rather, the board voted to only hold late-season hunts on 16 of the 29 units. “More chances to hunt big game without negatively affecting the herds is something big game hunters have consistently told us they want,” shares DWR big game coordinator Covy Jones. “The changes we recommend are innovative ways to meet that request. We appreciate the board’s support and hope hunters enjoy these new opportunities.” For more information on the changes, visit
www.wildlife.utah.gov
.
