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.
Black bears are the only species of bear in Utah, and they live and roam across much of the state. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wants to remind Utahns of ways they can prevent conflicts with bears this summer and what to do if you encounter a bear.
The Blue Ribbon Fisheries program recently allocated over $450,000 toward 17 projects aimed at enhancing some of Utah's best waterbodies so they retain their elite status.
A total of $4.4 million was allocated to dozens of wildlife-related projects at the recent annual Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Endangered Species Mitigation Fund meeting on May 3, 2023.
While cougar attacks are quite rare in the U.S., there is always the chance you may see a cougar on your doorbell camera footage or while you are out hiking this summer. If you do happen to encounter a cougar, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep yourself safe.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Utah Wildlife Board approved a decrease in the number of general-season deer hunting permits. The board also approved the other big game and antlerless hunting permits that will be issued during the 2023 seasons, as well as a variety of additional items during the May 4, 2023 public meeting.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is recommending a few changes to upland game hunting and waterfowl hunting — including making it illegal to harvest trumpeter swans — as well as changes to a few other items. The DWR is seeking the public's feedback on the proposals online and at the upcoming public meetings.
Watch the Utah Wildlife Board meeting live, beginning Thursday, May 4 at 9 a.m. The agenda and meeting materials are available on the public meetings page.
If you are interested in Utah's wildlife and how species are managed, several positions will soon be opening on all five Regional Advisory Councils that share public feedback with the Utah Wildlife Board. You can apply for one of the available RAC positions between May 1–31.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers will be conducting an administrative checkpoint on June 2 in an effort to prevent invasive mussels from spreading from other states into Utah waterbodies.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is extending the closure of four wildlife management areas in northern Utah in order to protect deer and pronghorn that are still wintering in deep snow in the areas.
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