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.
$6.5 million raised from 2026 conservation permits to benefit deer, other wildlife through habitat restoration projects
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Dozens of projects benefiting wildlife —including wildlife research, conservation and habitat restoration projects —have been funded after $6.5 million was committed to the projects by participating conservation groups during the annual conservation permit project funding meeting held on April 1.
Tips to help you avoid conflicts with bears this summer
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With the weather warming up and bears coming out of hibernation, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wants to remind Utahns of ways they can prevent conflicts with bears this summer and also what to do if you encounter a bear.
Want to check out the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range? Attend the 2026 open house
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Whether you are a regular customer or you have never been, the upcoming open house at the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range on April 18 is a great time to visit the facility.
DWR invites public to compete in the annual Utah Hunting Skills Challenge
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The annual Utah Hunting Skills Challenge is coming up, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is inviting anyone who has completed Hunter Education to register and compete in the upcoming event.
DWR releases recommendations for 2026 big game hunting permits
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The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is releasing its proposed big game hunting permit numbers for 2026 and is asking for the public's feedback on the recommendations, as well as on a variety of other proposals.
Found a baby bird on the ground this spring? Here's what to do
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It's a beautiful spring day, so you decide to go for a nice walk around your neighborhood. You are strolling along the sidewalk when suddenly you hear loud chirping near your feet. You look over and see a baby bird lying on the ground near a tree trunk. What should you do?
A new wildlife management area, updates to WMA access requirements and 3 other wildlife-related laws passed during the 2026 legislative session
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There were several bills related to wildlife management that were signed into law this legislative session — here are just a few to be aware of.
Annual Hardware Wildlife Education Center exhibit provides important bear safety tips
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With the weather warming up across the state, black bears will soon begin leaving their dens. You can learn more about black bears — and how to stay safe while camping and hiking this summer — at an exhibit at the Hardware Wildlife Education Center during select weekends in April.
See great blue herons at upcoming DWR viewing event
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Great blue herons are large, unique birds, and if you’ve ever wanted to see them in the wild, you should have a good opportunity at an upcoming Utah Division of Wildlife Resources viewing event.
Over 1,400 big game animals assessed, GPS collared during 2025-26 winter captures
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Each year, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources captures big game animals to perform important health assessments and to place GPS collars on the animals to learn more about their migration patterns and survival rates. This winter, 1,433 big game animals were captured, providing important data about big game herds across the state.