Mule deer are an icon of the west and in many ways serve as an indicator species reflecting habitat quality, connectivity and balance in our natural systems. As a species, mule deer face numerous challenges and threats. At the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, we are dedicated to supporting the success of our state’s mule deer herds through monitoring and research as well as adaptive habitat and predator management.
Species data at a glance
Management matters
Mule deer are the most abundant big game animal in Utah and are of high interest to both hunters and nonconsumptive users. It's vital that we protect and improve mule deer habitat if we hope to support their populations and meet management goals.
Many factors have reduced the quality and quantity of deer habitat including drought, invasive plants, wildfires, land development and more. With habitat loss, western mule deer populations have also declined. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has invested in a statewide, long-term effort to restore habitat and help our mule deer herds. At the forefront of this effort is Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative.
Habitat and precipitation are often the largest driving factors of deer populations, but predation can also significantly impact deer numbers. Utah’s deer survival study has shown that coyote predation on deer tends to focus on the old and the young. In certain areas, coyote predation can impact deer populations- mostly through predation on fawns. We have also observed that cougars are more likely to take healthy adult does in their prime reproductive years. When cougar predation exceeds 7% of annual mortality on adult does in a deer population it is almost impossible for deer populations to grow.
We are working hard to address coyote predation through Utah’s 2012 Mule Deer Protection Act by paying an incentive to predator hunters that take coyotes and in 2025 we have added a bonus for coyotes taken in important deer habitats. In addition to hunter harvest, we also work closely with our partners at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food to manage predator numbers in the areas most likely to benefit mule deer - based on current data from our GPS collar deer survival study.
Get a glimpse inside of the projects and process of DWR staff. From management strategies to species threats, our podcast, WILD, features episodes that affect mule deer in Utah.
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