It is sad in many areas. I’ve been working on a story about this winters deer/elk mortality. Talking to biologists, managers, and BYU. The hardest hit areas in Utah seem to be Morgan/Cache/Rich counties, the Wasatch back, and Northeastern Utah. When the numbers come out on Tuesday I believe this is where we’ll see the most reductions in tags. I also believe we’ll see WMA’S in central and northern Utah closed until May 1st. I went out yesterday with a biologist to retrieve a collar off a doe that died Thursday. It was sad, the doe had a full stomach but looked terrible. The doe’s bone marrow was a red jelly (not healthy). She had used up everything she had even her bone marrow trying to survive. This doe was 5yrs old. The biologist said that the majority of the dead deer in Morgan were 8 plus, but they expect over 60% loss! They’ve also had 25 plus bull elk dead in the area. one positive note is that some units in central and southern Utah are doing great. This moisture is helping the herds that have been dealing with drought. I was hoping to have this show ready for the 8th but because of some special needs turkey hunt we most likely won’t get it on until the 15th.
Adam Eakle
KSL Outdoors