Wildlife board approves series of 2026 permit recommendations; regional staff report low reservoir levels and Flaming Gorge releases

The Utah Wildlife Board last week approved a package of 2026 permit recommendations that included reclassifying the Old Creek unit to a premium status, acceptance of deer and bull permit recommendations, and several adjustments to antlerless and CWMU antler-permit allocations.

Those actions were reported to the Northeastern Region Advisory Council on May 21 by council staff as information items because council members present lacked a quorum to formally vote. Council members heard a summary of board votes: the Old Creek reclassification and the deer and bull permit packages passed unanimously; a package of once‑in‑a‑lifetime permits — amended to add an archery bison permit and additional archery hunts — passed 4–2; aquatic rule amendments under R657‑3C and R657‑59 were approved unanimously.

Why it matters: the board’s permit and rule changes set the administrative framework for 2026 hunting seasons and specific permit allocations that affect local landowners, CWMU holders and public hunters across the state. Council members were told these decisions guide local implementation but are decided at the wildlife-board level.

Regional update: Division staff told the council deer adult survival across the state is about 0.93 with fawn survival roughly 0.71, reflecting a relatively favorable winter. The aquatic section reported widespread low reservoir levels in the region (examples given by staff included Pelican ~78%, New Skinner ~43%, several ponds at 41–60% and others much lower), and one small community pond completely dry.

Staff also described a large ongoing operational plan for Flaming Gorge: the division is planning releases totaling an estimated 660,000 to 1,000,000 acre‑feet over the coming year to help maintain Lake Powell levels through April 2027. Staff said those releases are likely to change boat‑ramp availability (some ramps in Wyoming may become unusable toward late summer or fall) and to sustain higher river flows on portions of the Green River for much of the summer.

Division staff emphasized managers will monitor sediment at boat ramps and adjust actions as needed, and reminded the council that any local impacts would be tracked by regional biologists. No formal council motion was taken because the advisory body did not have a quorum; the report was informational and will be considered by board members listening to the meeting.