Bowhunters of Utah

This is my first post to the Fourm. On the opener while hunting deer I ran acrossed a small buck at about 40 yards that I'm 99% was a White Tailed Deer. I got about half drawn and thought twice about taking it. In the end I let it go but it made me wonder is it legal to take a White tailed deer in Utah a state that only has "Mule Deer"?

Thanks
Dan

It is legal to shoot whitetail deer in Utah. The DWR does not distinguish between the two species. Your tag says it is legal to harvest one "Buck Deer". I would try and find that buck again.

Brandon

Brandon's absolutely correct. Stick him!

Personally, I don't want to see white tails become the dominant species in Utah, but I suspect that's what's going to happen sooner or later. Mule deer can't compete on winter range with elk and elk is what Utah is growing. That's screwed up in my book - I prefer mule deer to elk and Utah habitat prefers mule deer, too. Always has. Still, later is better because I'm getting old. So please, stick that buck! And if you're hunting the extended and can stick a white tail doe, please do.

I never got a chance to see him again. My brother has seen him since the bowhunt and said if he see's him on the rifle he'll take him.