LOCAL NEWS

Harsh winter pushes wildlife to Utah roads with over 1,000 killed this year

Mar 9, 2023, 6:06 PM | Updated: 7:28 pm

SPRINGVILLE, Utah — Even with a zoom lens, it was tough to see a small herd of deer in the mountains above Springville on Thursday afternoon.

But Scott Root knew how to find them.

“You can typically see them by their rump patch,” he said while looking through his binoculars. Sure enough, in less than a couple of minutes, he saw some of them.

“There is a little group of deer right there,” he said with a smile. It’s a good thing he has a good eye.

“Some of my buddies that I hang out with, I’ll say oh there’s a deer. And they’re like, where,” said Root with a laugh.

It helps that he is a biologist with Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources.

“I love wildlife,” he said. “It’s not just my career, but it is my passion in life.”

For as much as he loves looking at and studying wildlife, Root also knows they can cause problems.

Scott Root with Utah's Division of Wildlife and Resources looks for wildlife. (Jeff Dahdah/KSL TV) Scott Root with Utah's Division of Wildlife and Resources looks for wildlife. (Jeff Dahdah/KSL TV) Utah drivers are seeing a lot of big-game animals in 2023 as a harsh winter has driven them to lower elevations. (Carissa Hutchinson/KSL Chopper 5) Utah drivers are seeing a lot of big-game animals in 2023 as a harsh winter has driven them to lower elevations. (Carissa Hutchinson/KSL Chopper 5) Utah drivers are seeing a lot of big-game animals in 2023 as a harsh winter has driven them to lower elevations. (Carissa Hutchinson/KSL Chopper 5)

“This year especially,” he said. “We are going to have quite a few on roads, near roads, especially during those darker hours.”

Utah drivers are seeing a lot of big game animals right now. Hundreds of deer and elk are currently along U.S. Highway 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon between Spanish Fork and Soldier Summit.

Animals are coming down mountains all across Utah looking for food because of the deep snowpack in higher elevations. Often, they end up near roads that have been plowed because it is easier to get around.

“Because of the green up season when we get green vegetation and they’re right off the side of the road,” Root said.

An elk herd near the mouth of Parley’s Canyon in Salt Lake City got a lot of attention last month. Parley’s Historic Nature Park, which is normally an off-leash dog park, is now on-leash temporarily while the elk are in the area.

“We do have a lot of elk and deer down low,” Root said.

According to DWR statistics, so far this year the number of reported roadkill in the state is at 1056. That’s up from last year at 977, and the year before at 870, when less people were driving because of COVID-19.

It is important to note the way numbers are reported through DWR’s roadkill app changed this year, so an exact comparison may be off a little. However, the danger to cars is still the same.

“If you go up some of the canyons, you’ll see quite a few roadkill animals and that’s a great reminder you better be careful for your own safety, let alone the safety of the animals,” Root said. “Please be extra careful while driving. Especially at night.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Top Stories

Local News

File photo...
Pat Reavy

2-year-old was shot by Tooele man not allowed to have guns, police say

Charges were filed Monday against a Tooele man accused of accidentally shooting a 2-year-old boy in the the leg on Sunday. Police say the man was restricted from possessing guns.
18 hours ago
emergency lights generic...
Madison Swenson

Man trapped by roof avalanche in Brighton

A man was trapped for a time Monday after snow fell off a roof in Salt Lake County.
18 hours ago
Winter storm warnings are in place for the mountains of Utah, starting on Monday, March 20, 2022. (...
Larry D. Curtis and Madison Swenson

Winter storm warning in effect for portions of Utah mountains

Winter storm warnings have been issued for much of Utah, with heavy snow expected in certain areas.
18 hours ago
(KSL TV)...
Matt Rascon

Gov. Cox kicks off ‘Connecting Utah’ tour at Tooele High School

Gov. Spencer Cox was in Tooele on Monday, the first stop in a tour that will take him across the state hearing from local leaders, families and students.
18 hours ago
Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...
Eliza Pace

One extracted safely in car crash with semitruck

One person was extracted and two lanes are blocked near the 300 North exit on Interstate 15 northbound after a semitruck crashed into a car.
18 hours ago
FILE: Geneva Rock truck...
Eliza Pace

Geneva Rock Mine expansion receives tentative approval

Geneva Rock Mine, at the point of the mountain in Salt Lake County, was granted tentative approval to expand into 77 acres.
18 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...
BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.
Close up of an offset printing machine during production...
Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.
vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...
Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.
Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...
Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.
notebook with password notes highlighted...
PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.
house with for rent sign posted...
Chase Harrington, president and COO of Entrata

Top 5 Reasons You May Want to Consider Apartment Life Over Owning a Home

There are many benefits of renting that can be overshadowed by the allure of buying a home. Here are five reasons why renting might be right for you.
Harsh winter pushes wildlife to Utah roads with over 1,000 killed this year