Mapping Utah’s Big Game Migrations with Makeda Hanson

Rokcast co-host Jaden Bales sits down with Makeda Hanson, Wildlife Migration Initiative Coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, to explore what GPS collar data is teaching biologists about wildlife movement across Utah.
Utah has collared thousands of animals and collected roughly 80 million location points from mule deer, elk, pronghorn and other species. That data helps researchers understand where animals spend each season, how they move between seasonal ranges and which habitats become especially important during drought, deep snow and wildfire.
The conversation also covers what collared deer are revealing about their response to Utah’s recent wildfires, along with a Paunsaugunt buck that made an impressive jump between two and three years old. The young three-point returned as a wide four-point carrying several extras, giving researchers a rare, verified look at how quickly an individual buck can change.
Most importantly, this episode shows how migration research becomes real conservation work. Better data guides habitat restoration, fence modifications, wildlife crossings and future development decisions. Hunters can help by reporting roadkill, identifying problem fences and participating in land-use planning—because healthier herds depend on protecting the places wildlife need to survive and move.
You can learn more about Utah’s Wildlife Migration Initative at wildlifemigration.utah.gov
Thanks to Makeda for taking the time to share this awesome information with us.
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