You can help the state's deer herds and make some money by participating in Utah's new Predator Control Program.

You can register to participate in Utah's new Predator Control Program starting July 1.

Photo by Lynn Chamberlain

Reducing coyote populations to benefit mule deer is the goal of the program. More information about the program is available online.

Registration starts July 1

You can register to participate in the Predator Control Program, and start taking coyotes, beginning July 1. However, compensation for coyotes taken in the state will not be issued until after Sept. 1.

If you want to help the state's deer herds the most, John Shivik encourages you to wait until December to start taking coyotes.

Mule deer fawns are among the animals coyotes prey on. To give deer fawns the greatest protection, coyotes need to be taken during certain times of the year and in certain locations.

"Dec. 1 until the end of June is the best time to remove coyotes," says Shivik, mammals coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "Coyotes mate during the winter. To have the greatest effect on the coyote population, coyotes need to be removed after pair bonds and territories have been established and before pups are raised."

Where coyotes are taken is also important.

"The best place to take coyotes is on or near areas where deer fawns are raised," Shivik says. "Taking coyotes in these areas reduces the chance that fawns will be killed by coyotes."

The Predator Control Program is part of the Mule Deer Protection Act. The Utah Legislature passed the act during its 2012 session.

Online training, registration form

Starting July 1, you can register for the program by completing some online training and a registration form. The training and the form will be available at wildlife.utah.gov/predators starting July 1.

There's no cost to register. After you register, you'll receive $50 for every coyote you take under the rules of the program.