Mule deer are falling victim to Utah’s drought conditions, but the state is spending millions to help them rebound. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ goal for the state’s mule deer population is about 405,000 animals by 2030. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources) Utah wildlife officials are working on projects to help mule deer populations statewide. The state is planning to improve vegetation for mule deer on at least 600,000 acres of crucial range across the state. Reducing thick coverage of cone-bearing trees is crucial for Utah’s higher-elevation habitats, which are often used as summer range for mule deer, Hersey said.