With the beautiful weather, many are already getting out to hike, enjoy a trail run, or camp and of course, your dog wants to join in. While it may feel like the perfect opportunity to set them free, wildlife officials are asking that they be kept on leash for the sake of big game animals as they are still in a season of survival mode as they struggle to find food. “If deer get chased — especially if it happens again and again — it uses up energy reserves they may need to survive these sensitive times of year,” shares DWR Big Game Coordinator Mike Wardle. “While we had a fairly mild winter this year, this is still a tough time of year for deer. Their fat storage is often depleted by now, and they often can’t afford to waste energy. If you or a pet force them to move away from where they are trying to feed, it could be harmful for that animal.” While there are many other areas throughout the state where dogs aren’t required to stay on a leash, pet owners should never let their dogs chase deer, elk, moose or other wild animals. It can be harmful not only for the wildlife, but also can be dangerous for your pet. For more information, visit wildlife.utah.gov.
