Commission backs seasonal road closures on Tabby Mountain WMA to protect wintering elk

The Duchesne County Commission voted Nov. 3 to approve seasonal road closures on the Tabby Mountain Wildlife Management Area from Dec. 1 through April 30, continuing a measure county officials said has helped reduce disturbance to wintering elk populations.

Lance (Files Henric), representing the wildlife management area, presented GPS-based elk-use data spanning 2004–2025 and told commissioners that the winter closures have kept elk on the WMA rather than pushing them toward town or farther downriver. "The Tabby WMA just continues to be a very, heavily used area in the winter for elk," the presenter said, and described closures as an effective tool for managing disturbance and resource protection.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about public access; staff noted that closures preserve walking and horseback access while vehicle access is limited. Commissioner discussion focused on timing and length of the seasonal restrictions. One commissioner moved to approve the requested closure and a second supported the motion; the board approved the closure by voice vote.

Wildlife staff said they will provide maps and may invite commissioners to participate in deer and elk capture/monitoring events scheduled over the coming months. No new county funding or enforcement changes were adopted during the motion; the action preserves the seasonal access restrictions that the state-managed WMA requested.