Mike Wardle

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Utah adds 450 elk hunting permits as drought strains herds

As of September 2026: Presented drought-driven permit proposal to Wildlife Board

Utah's elk are running out of food. Statewide reservoirs sit at 32% capacity, drought has withered the forage elk depend on, and herds have grown beyond what the land can carry. The Utah Wildlife Board on Aug. 20 added 450 antlerless elk hunting permits across eight units where elk exceed population objectives by hundreds.

Updated Sep 5

Notable Quotes

Ongoing drought conditions have reduced the available amount of feed for wildlife in these areas.

from Utah adds 450 elk hunting permits as drought strains herds · Updated Sep 5

Last year, during the spring, we had about 12,000 antlerless elk permits that are issued through the draw and then we're adding 450 to that number.

from Utah adds 450 elk hunting permits as drought strains herds · Updated Sep 5