SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Wildlife Resources wants to remind people recreating outdoors this time of year that wildlife coming off of winter are still week.
Dogs that are not kept on a leash can injure or kill wildlife.
As Utahns head outside more frequently for recreational activities, DWR wants people to be cautious when taking dogs on hikes or camping trips this spring. Dogs not on a leash can cause harm to both wildlife and pets.
DWR wants pet owners to not let their pet chase or harass any wildlife.
Utah big game animals often struggle to find food during the winter. By early spring, many of these wildlife species are vulnerable and weak. Dogs that are off leash while in nature may act on their instincts to chase deer and other big game animals they see. Chasing big game this time of year can be harmful because by the end of winter, they are usually in survival mode.
“If they get chased — especially if it happens again and again — it uses up energy they may need to survive these sensitive times of year,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Big Game Coordinator Dax Mangus said. “While we had a fairly mild winter this year, this is still a sensitive time of year for deer. Their fat storage is often depleted by this time of year, and they often can’t afford to waste energy. If you or a pet force them to move away from where they are trying to feed, it could be harmful for that animal.”
Deer and other big game animals typically move to lower elevations and south-facing slopes as they seek out new vegetation growth this time of year, bringing them closer to roads and other populated urban areas where people and pets may be.
National forests are some of the areas where people may encounter wildlife while recreating. Pets are allowed in all national forests, but they must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet while in developed recreation areas (like campsites) and on established, interpretive trails. Although other areas within national forests do not require dogs to be on a leash, they are still required to be under the owner’s control at all times.
“Pets allowed to run at large also are at risk of injury from vehicles, mountain bikes and other types of recreation use,” Dave Whittekiend, forest supervisor for the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, said. “If you care about your pets, you should keep them secured while you are recreating outdoors.”
Dogs that are off leash can also disturb nesting ground birds and can chase, injure or kill small mammals, deer, elk or moose.
A woman walks her dog on a leash on a trail in the snow.
Utah law states a person may kill or injure a dog that is “attacking, chasing or worrying any species of hoofed protected wildlife.”
Here are some tips from Wild Aware Utah about keeping your dogs safe around wildlife:
- Keep your dog’s vaccinations up to date.
- Be aware that moose can be especially aggressive toward dogs.
- Always supervise pets when outdoors, particularly at dawn and dusk.
- If you find an animal carcass, leave the area — it could be a kill that a cougar is guarding or will be returning to.
- Make noise while hiking.
- Do not allow dogs to “play with” or chase wildlife. It is against Utah law to allow dogs to chase or harass hoofed wildlife.