DWR proposes landowner agreements to help strengthen struggling wildlife herds

Elk herd eating grass at a home not far from Silver Creek Road. Photo: TownLift // Kevin Cody.

UTAH — In a move that would reshape wildlife management on private property, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing a new rule that replaces traditional depredation programs with voluntary agreements that pay landowners to support healthier big game and turkey herds.

“This rule update shifts the management paradigm from addressing depredation conflicts after they occur to establishing a proactive, voluntary partnership with private landowners for managing big game and turkey populations that utilize private cultivated lands,” DWR Private Lands Public Wildlife Coordinator Darren DeBloois said.

Utah’s current depredation program compensates landowners after wildlife damage crops and often requires reactive responses like hazing or animal removal. Under the proposed rule, landowners who opt in would receive direct payments for forage or crops used by wildlife, allowing elk, deer, and turkeys to feed without triggering damage claims.

“This approach is rooted in the recognition that achieving population objectives and enhancing wildlife health often depends on the quality and availability of forage on private property,” said DeBloois.

The proposed agreements aim to bolster below-objective herds by incentivizing landowners to manage their fields in ways that improve nutrition and benefit long-term population health. In exchange, landowners would receive defined compensation and collaborate with DWR on shared management goals, something the division hopes will reduce costly, reactionary depredation responses.

Over the next month, each of Utah’s five regional advisory councils will meet to discuss this and other proposals and submit recommendations to the Utah Wildlife Board, who will then vote on the proposals. Members of the public can submit feedback electronically or attend any of the upcoming council meetings.