Supporting Utah's mule deer
Mule deer are an icon of the West and, in many ways, they reflect what's happening with 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 adaptable management of habitat and predators.
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 wildlife watchers. It's vital that we protect and improve mule deer habitat if we hope to support their populations and meet management goals.
Creating healthy habitat
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.
Learn more about mule deer habitat
Mule deer movement
The Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative works to identify and protect the connective corridors that allow mule deer to migrate to food, water and cover around the state. A deer herd's movement on the landscape can be influenced by different factors. Mule deer benefit if their food, water and cover are connected. They cannot move as freely if there are barriers that prevent movement or limit their access to daily and seasonal resources. (Examples of barriers include roads, fences and landscape changes from development.) The public can help us better understand these barriers by using the Roadkill Reporter App, which provides data we use to prioritize wildlife crossings.
Predator management
Habitat and precipitation are often the largest driving factors of deer populations, but predation can also significantly affect deer numbers. Impacts to deer populations from predators are most significant when combined with extreme weather and/or habitat impacts. For example, after a harsh winter that results in the deaths of many deer, predator populations may remain at higher levels and prevent deer populations from recovery.
Utah's ongoing GPS collar deer survival study gives us insights into the level of predation that's occurring, which predators are killing deer, and when and where those deaths are happening. After predation hits a certain level, a deer population is unable to grow. We've been able to identify units where predation is limiting deer population growth. Those are areas where we've made management changes to reduce predator densities to help mule deer.
Mule deer resources
Browse additional resources related to mule deer data, habitat research and ongoing conservation and management efforts throughout the state.
Statewide plan
Our statewide management plan (PDF) offers a comprehensive look at mule deer management.
Habitat restoration
Review this detailed summary of habitat work done to benefit mule deer in Utah.
Hunt Planner
Explore this interactive map that provides essential information about Utah's hunting units and on-the-ground conditions.
Fact sheets
Get an in-depth look at mule deer and the issues they face in more than two dozen topical, relevant fact sheets.
Discover more
Videos
Learn more about how the DWR partners with organizations and the public to manage deer.
Podcasts
Get a glimpse inside the projects and day-to-day work of DWR staff. From management strategies to species threats, our "Wild" podcast features many episodes that discuss mule deer in Utah.
In this episode, DWR Regional Wildlife Manager Dax Mangus, Big Game Coordinator Covy Jones and Big Game Projects Coordinator Kent Hersey answer some common questions about how big game management works in Utah. They explain how big game hunting permit recommendations are made and how the DWR helps maintain healthy deer populations.
For captions, play this podcast on YouTube.
In this episode, DWR Big Game Projects Coordinator Kent Hersey explains why the Division uses helicopters to catch deer and other big game species each year. This podcast was originally recorded in November 2019.
For captions, play this podcast on YouTube.
In this episode, DWR Wildlife Migration Initiative Coordinator Daniel Olson talks about why it is important for wildlife to migrate, things that can obstruct that migration, and how the DWR and its partners are helping wildlife to make those necessary movements across Utah — as well as some unique stories of things learned while tracking wildlife!
For captions, play this podcast on YouTube.
In this episode, DWR Wildlife Section Chief Justin Shannon, DWR Habitat Restoration Biologist Nicole Nielson and Troy Forrest, the director of the Grazing Improvement Program with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, talk about some of the impacts of drought conditions on big game animals, livestock, and their habitat and grazing areas. They also discuss how limited food and water during drought years can cause competition between livestock and elk for those resources, and how the two state agencies work to minimize those conflicts.
For captions, play this podcast on YouTube.
In this episode, DWR Veterinarian Ginger Stout talks about the different types of diseases currently impacting wildlife species in Utah. She also explains how the division works to detect and monitor diseases and how management techniques can help to reduce those impacts.
For captions, play this podcast on YouTube.
In this episode, DWR Wildlife Veterinarian Ginger Stout takes a deep dive on chronic wasting disease: what it is, how it's spread, where it is currently found in Utah and how hunters can help decrease its impacts to deer populations in the state.
For captions, play this podcast on YouTube.