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Show Range Rides Assess Utah Deer Herds Range rides are conducted each spring by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in cooperation with federal agencies, to assess the condition of deer herds, winter mortality and condition of vegetation on the range. Deer are classified according to the number of adults and fawns and compared with classification counts conducted after the general deer season. Each region of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources of the Department of Natural Resources and Energy prints a list of range rides, including meeting place and time and officer in charge. Conservation officers lead the range rides in their own districts. Persons interested in participating in a range ride may contact their local conservation officer or one of the six Wildlife Recources offices in Odgen, Salt Lake, Springville, Vernal, Cedar City or Price. Some range rides dates are to be announced, depending on weather conditions. All persons must provide their own horses. Range rides in southwestern Utah will be concentrated at the lower elevations where deer have wintered this year, according to Floyd Coles, Southern Regional game manager. A minimum of two range rides will be held on each unit. In the Southeastern Region, Gordon Creek is the only area where a significant amount of deer loss may be found during the spring range rides, says Jim Bates, regional game manager. In other parts of the region, the winter was not severe. |