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.
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.
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.
Learn more about how the DWR partners with organizations and the public to manage deer.
Utah mule deer management 101
Wildlife Board work session, April 8, 2025
Wildlife Board work session, April 9, 2025
2025-30 statewide deer plan presentation
GPS collar technology
Carrying capacity
Using teeth to age 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.
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