Biologists, operators report mixed progress under new CWMU rule; Chalk Creek and Deseret show major harvest shifts

The advisory committee heard a broad presentation from Utah Division of Wildlife biologists and CWMU operators about cow-elk harvest trends under a new CWMU rule that obligates units to appear when they are over population objective, failing their three-year cow-harvest minimum, harvesting disproportionately more bulls than cows, or achieving harvest rates markedly different from adjacent public lands.

Jayla Walden, district biologist for East Canyon, summarized the rule and the reasons units are before the committee, then walked committee members through multiple drainages and CWMUs the division is tracking. Walden said the rule asks CWMU operators to explain low cow-harvest rates, high bull-to-cow harvest ratios, or unusually high population estimates; she told members several units are "over objective and under their minimum cow harvest."

Biologists and operators described mixed results and several data problems. The Deseret CWMU reported a large jump in cow permits and harvest after the operator increased cow permits; Jayla said Deseret “went from 310 permits up to 425,” producing a substantial increase in cow harvest. Tom Land, who identified himself as a Deseret operator, credited weather for part of last year’s yield and said the operation extended access and guide services to make late-season harvests possible.

Chalk Creek drew sustained discussion. Biologist comments and operator testimony…