Management plan changes proposed for mountain goats, bighorn sheep

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources proposed updates to management plans for bighorn sheep and mountain goats on Wednesday.

Both of the plans went into effect in 2018 and are set to last 10 years. They were recently reviewed in a DWR advisory committee meeting. 

“These plans are really important in guiding our objectives to maintain healthy mountain goat and bighorn sheep populations in Utah,” DWR Once-in-a-Lifetime Species Coordinator Rusty Robinson said in a press release. “We really appreciate those who serve on the committees and provide input on these plans and the associated updates.”

The committee is comprised of representatives from federal and state organizations. During the committee meeting, Robinson shared a list of represented groups during a presentation outlining the proposed changes. 

 

Proposed management changes for bighorn sheep, mountain goats

The presentation highlighted three changes to bighorn sheep management. 

First, the DWR wants to update the bighorn sheep management plan’s references to state laws so they match updated legislation. 

Fremont Island and the Boulder hunting unit could be added to a list of locations where bighorn sheep could be reintroduced. 

Additionally, the recommended changes would add information to the plan. Robinson said the DWR recommends adding information about the process that leads up to animal transplant. 

“This directly reflects some recent legislation, where it directs how the division utilizes the public process,” Robinson said. 

The DWR also recommended adding information about hunter involvement in disease control and prevention, herd health and fair chase ethics. 

Fewer changes were proposed for management of mountain goats. Robinson only mentioned that the management plan’s text will be updated to match recent legislative changes. 

Meeting also proposed changes for mule deer population target

In the same press release, the DWR also proposed some updates to deer population management in southeastern Utah. 

Plans are altered on a five-year schedule. The DWR said it accounts for data collected by the Utah Range Trend Monitoring Project and updates made to the statewide mule deer management plan. 

Recent propositions increase the target deer population numbers in some units— the La Sal Mountains Manti/San Rafael and San Juan, Abajos units. 

With the change, the DWR hopes to increase populations in the areas. Target increases follow: 

• La Sal, La Sal Mountains Unit — from 8,000 to 11,500 
• Manti/San Rafael Unit — from 28,000 to 38,000
• San Juan, Abajos Unit — from 13,500 to 17,000

What comes next? 

Now that the DWR has announced its proposal, they’re looking for feedback from the public. Several meetings with virtual and in-person options are scheduled. 

Dates and times follow: 

• Central Utah: Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. at the DWR Springville Office
• Northern Utah: Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Weber County Commission Chambers
• Southern Utah: Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. at the DNR Richfield City Complex
• Southeastern Utah: Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. at the John Wesley Powell Museum
• Northeastern Utah: Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at the DWR Vernal Office
• Utah Wildlife Board meeting: Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center

It should be noted that online comments must be submitted a few days before your desired meeting.  

More DWR news: DWR to host events showcasing southeastern Utah bats