Utah Wildlife News
Updates on Utah's wildlife from the DWR
Each week the DWR publishes interesting and informative stories about Utah's wildlife. If you want these stories delivered to your inbox just as soon as we publish them, please sign up for our weekly email.
Bear incidents doubled from last year in Utah — what to know to prevent conflicts
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Due to several factors — including ongoing severe drought conditions — the number of bear incidents requiring the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to respond this year has doubled from last year. Here are a few important things to know to help prevent conflicts with bears.
What hunters should know about the 2026 Utah upland game hunts
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If you are wanting to try hunting for the first time or if you are a seasoned hunter looking for a new opportunity, upland game hunting is a great option! The majority of the upland game hunts in Utah are open to anyone with a Utah hunting license and don't require an additional permit.
Zebra mussel DNA detected in Utah portions of the Colorado River
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Fragments of zebra mussel DNA were recently detected in the Colorado River in Utah for the first time, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and partner agencies are reminding boaters and other watercraft users to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Utah Wildlife Board approves additional antlerless elk permits due to drought, updates for bison hunters
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Due to the current extreme drought conditions in Utah — and a pneumonia outbreak in a Book Cliffs bison herd — the Utah Wildlife Board approved some additional antlerless elk permits and bison hunt changes during a public meeting on Aug. 20.
Utah Wildlife Board meeting: Aug. 20, 2026
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Watch the Utah Wildlife Board meeting live, beginning Thursday, Aug. 20, at 9 a.m. The agenda and meeting materials are available on the public meetings page.
DWR conducting waterbody treatment in Mill Creek to help restore native cutthroat trout
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The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will be coordinating with several partners — including the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and Trout Unlimited to conduct a treatment on a portion of Mill Creek in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest to help restore native Bonneville cutthroat trout.
What hunters should know for the 2026 Utah deer and elk hunts
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If you are going to hunt deer or elk in Utah this fall, here is some important information and tips that will be helpful when planning and preparing for your hunt.
DWR recommends changes to fishing regulations for 2027-28, other items
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The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing some updates to several fishing regulations, elk hunting and a few other rule changes, and is seeking the public's feedback on the proposals.
Head to Utah's high-elevation areas for great fishing in August
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While there are a lot of great reservoirs and ponds close to home where you can fish in Utah, the Beehive State also offers some excellent high-elevation fishing options. If you are planning any stream or high-elevation lake fishing to wrap up summer and kick off fall, here are a few things to know.
Planning to archery hunt in 2026? How to prevent injuries and prepare for a safe, successful hunt
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The 2026 general-season buck deer archery hunt and the general spike and any-bull elk archery hunts are the first big game hunts of Utah's fall season, and they begin Saturday, Aug. 15. If you will be archery hunting this fall, there are several ways you can prepare for the hunt and stay safe while out in the field.