2008 Deer Season: Utah
West - State by State
For full season details, click here
ESPNOutdoors.com rating (1-10): 4 2007 harvest: 28,000
Sq. Miles: 84,889
Deer/ sq. mile harvested in 2007: .33
2008 Outlook:
Hunting in Utah should be fairly similar to past years.
According to Anis Aoude, Big Game Program Coordinator, there was a winterkill in the western portion of the state last year that will have an impact on the hunting success there.
"The success will go down in the West," said Aoude, "if only because mule deer are susceptible to harsh weather."
The goal for Utah deer populations is to have 15 bucks for every 100 does at the end of the season. That leaves a success rate at around 25-30% for hunters.
Regionally, Utah has pretty even prospects for hunting. There are some desert units for hunters to avoid, instead focusing on more mountainous areas of aspens and conifers.
"Hunters should key in on the mule deer migration pattern for this time of year," said Aoude. "The deer migrate based on altitude, moving from higher grounds in the summer to lower grounds in the winter."
— Rob Russow
