Utah Wildlife Board approves 2025 pronghorn permit recommendations amid management discussions

The DWR RAC Meeting for the Northern Region held on April 9, 2025, focused on critical wildlife management issues, particularly concerning pronghorn permits and population management strategies. The meeting highlighted a significant increase in pronghorn hunting permits, reflecting a doubling since 2017, while maintaining high hunter satisfaction rates.

The discussion centered on the management of pronghorn populations, particularly in the Parker Mountain unit, which has shown a robust buck-to-doe ratio. Wildlife officials noted that while the population is above objectives, careful management is necessary to avoid overharvesting and to ensure sustainable hunting opportunities. The committee proposed a split in hunting permits to distribute pressure more evenly across different hunting methods, suggesting a shift from a traditional 20% archery and muzzleloader to a 30% allocation for both, with 40% for rifle hunting.

Concerns were raised about potential overcrowding among archery hunters at limited water sources, prompting discussions about the need for additional rifle hunts in the future. The committee acknowledged the challenges of managing a productive unit like Parker Mountain, balancing wildlife needs with agricultural interests, particularly regarding forage competition with domestic livestock.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to accept the pronghorn permit recommendations as presented, while also planning to revisit the hunting split and population objectives in future discussions. This proactive approach aims to ensure that wildlife management strategies remain responsive to both ecological and community needs.