In a heartwarming display of wildlife conservation, biologists from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, alongside dedicated volunteers, gathered at the Hardware Wildlife Management Area visitors center in Hyrum, Cache County, on Wednesday morning. Their mission: to assess the health of the local mule deer population.
“Deer are a beloved species in Utah, and we want to ensure their populations remain healthy and sustainable,” explained Jim Christensen, Northern Region Wildlife manager for the agency. “We’re always concerned about the overall well-being of our wildlife populations.”
One by one, deer were carefully airlifted by helicopter and gently placed on stretchers. The team meticulously weighed each animal before moving them to examination tables.
“We’ll draw some blood to gather valuable data,” Christensen detailed. “and if a deer doesn’t already have a GPS collar, we’ll fit it wiht one.”
This effort in Cache Valley is just one of many similar initiatives taking place across Utah over the coming months. Biologists are working diligently to gauge the health of deer herds statewide. Each region presents unique challenges, and the Hardware Wildlife Management area herd is no exception.
“These deer typically enter winter in excellent condition, both in terms of health and body fat, compared to other areas in the state,” Christensen noted. “However, by the end of winter, they’re often in worse shape than anywhere else.”
Christensen attributes this to the harsh winter conditions the herd faces compared to other regions. By examining a small sample now,biologists can gain insights into how the herd might fare in the months ahead.
“If they’re coming in right now in really good fat shape, but then we start losing deer throughout the winter faster than we would expect, maybe we’ve got something else going on,” christensen said. “You know, some elevated predation levels or something like that.”
This proactive approach to wildlife management ensures that Utah’s cherished mule deer populations remain healthy and thriving for generations to come.
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