Wildlife officials propose antlerless hunting near Alton to manage elk population

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has proposed significant changes to hunting regulations aimed at improving wildlife management and addressing community concerns. During the recent Regional Advisory Council (RAC) meeting held on April 10, 2025, officials discussed a new cutoff date for harvest report submissions and adjustments to hunting permissions in specific areas.

One of the key proposals is to establish a uniform cutoff date of February 15 for hunters to file their harvest reports. This change will allow hunters participating in earlier hunts a full 30 days to report their harvest, while those involved in late-season cow hunts will have a reduced two-week window. The rationale behind this adjustment is to ensure that biologists have timely data on elk populations, which is crucial for making informed recommendations on permit allocations.

Additionally, the DWR is addressing wildlife management issues in the town of Alton, where a wildlife exclusion fence has proven inadequate. Currently, big game hunting is prohibited in this area, but the DWR is proposing to allow antlerless hunting as a management tool to control the local deer population. This decision comes in response to concerns about deer entering residential areas and damaging crops. The town of Alton has committed to collaborating with the DWR and local landowners to repair the fence, which is expected to mitigate future wildlife intrusions.

Another topic discussed was the clarification of hunting regulations regarding restricted rifle permits. The DWR aims to maintain consistency in hunting opportunities for youth hunters, allowing them to participate in all seasons on a unit if they draw a general season permit.

Lastly, the DWR is revisiting regulations on the importation of deer heads from states affected by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The agency is considering allowing hunters to bring back heads with brain material, acknowledging that most hunters will likely take these to taxidermists rather than discard them in the wild, which could spread the disease.

These proposed changes reflect the DWR's commitment to effective wildlife management while balancing community needs and concerns. The council will continue to refine these proposals, with the aim of implementing them in the upcoming hunting seasons.