State wildlife biologists found an average of 18 bucks to 100 does during counts on public lands in northern Utah after the 2007 fall hunts. While the ratio is within the management objective of 15-20 bucks per 100 does, big-game managers are still cautiously watching the herds in that part of the state.

"The deer herds in parts of northern Utah had a tough time this winter," said Anise Aoude, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). "When we do our after-winter surveys later this spring, we'll know better how many deer were lost. But our big-game permit drawing happens in April, so the board had to set the permit numbers before we completed our surveys."

There will be 94,000 general-season buck deer permits available in 2008. The number of limited-entry deer permits climbed to 1,082, an increase of 68 from last year. The number of limited-entry elk permits rose by 357 from 2007.

Pronghorn permits increased by 92 and moose permits rose by 33 from the 2007 seasons. There were also increases for 2008 in the number of permits for bison, Rocky Mountain goat and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. The only big-game permit numbers that went down were for desert bighorn sheep, which dropped by three to 36.

Results of the 2008 hunting permit draw will be posted by April 30.

DWR officials are also proposing an increase in the number of antlerless (female) hunting permits for elk (2,598), pronghorn (335) and moose (20). Biologists are proposing a decrease in doe deer permits of 560.

The proposals will be shared with the Regional Advisory Councils on April 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the following locations: Northern Region, Brigham City Community Center, 24 N. 300 West, Brigham City; Central Region, Springville Junior High School, 165 S. 700 East, Springville; Northeastern Region, Western Park, Room 2, 302 E. 200 South, Vernal; Southeastern Region, John Wesley Powell Museum, 1765 E. Main St., Green River; and Southern Region, Snow College South, Administration Building, 800 W. 200 South, Richfield.