10-09-2007, 04:10 PM
Utah's most popular hunt starts Oct. 20
More young bucks should be roaming Utah's forests when the state's general rifle buck deer hunt kicks off Oct. 20.
More than 60,000 hunters, along with their family and friends, are expected in Utah's forests and hills for the state's most popular hunt.
More bucks
"Since 1998, the buck-to-doe ratio has been right around 15 bucks per 100 does. But we've had a couple of years where it's peaked at 17 bucks per 100 does-2000 and now again this year," says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.
DWR biologists determine the ratio by conducting on-the-ground surveys after the hunting seasons are over in the fall. This past winter was mild in Utah, so most of the bucks biologists saw last fall, and many of the buck fawns they saw, should be available to rifle hunters on Oct. 20.
The following chart shows the buck-to-doe ratio after the past two hunting seasons:
Region 2005 2006
Northern 16 18
Central 15 15
Northeastern 16 16
Southeastern 17 20
Southern 17 16<br />
Aoude says more than 320,000 adult deer were in Utah this spring. That's up from about 296,000 adult deer in the spring of 2006.
"Conditions for deer in Utah started improving in about 2003," Aoude says. "We've had fair moisture over the past few years, and the winters have been mild."
Wildfires
While deer were affected by some of the wildfires in Utah this summer, the biggest fire-the Milford Flat fire in south-central Utah-burned an area that few deer use during the hunting season. "If you've traditionally hunted in an area that burned this past summer, I'd strongly encourage you to get out before the hunt and see what the area looks like," Aoude says.
Where will the deer be?
Unless it snows before Oct. 20, many of the deer will be in the same place they've been for the past few months-at higher elevations.
"The only thing that will move deer out of the high country during the rifle hunt is snow," Aoude says. "If we get some snow before the hunt, that could push the deer down to lower elevations."
If it doesn't snow, and the weather gets warmer, the deer may not feed very long in the morning. "In that case, you need to get into the cover and find the places where the deer are hiding," Aoude says.
Aoude says many areas in Utah have received some good moisture recently. That moisture has moistened the vegetation. And that should make it easier for hunters to move around without making noise. "But that could change if it gets hot again before the hunt," Aoude says.
More tips
Aoude also provides the following tips and reminders:
Get a good pair of binoculars, and spend time during the hunt glassing areas for deer. "The leaves are usually off the trees during the rifle hunt, and that allows you to see a long distance," he says. "A good pair of binoculars can save you a lot of walking."<br />
Practice with your rifle. If you do, the chance goes up that you'll take a deer when that perfect shot presents itself.<br />
Make sure there's a backdrop behind any deer you shoot at. For example, don't shoot at a deer that's standing on the top of a hill. If you miss, your bullet will sail over the hill. It could hit someone on the other side.<br />
Get away from the hunting pressure near the roads.<br />
Be aware of the direction the wind is blowing. If you're stalking an animal, or waiting near a water hole or trail, make sure the wind is blowing across your body or into your face. That way, your scent won't be carried to the deer.<br />
Get an OHV riding map for the area you plan to hunt. These maps are available from the agency-usually the U.S. Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management-that manages the land you'll be hunting on.<br />
"It's extremely important-to the deer and their habitat, and to other hunters-that you don't take an OHV into an area that's not open to their use," Aoude says. "You might be surprised to learn where OHVs are not allowed."<br />
Watch out for thunder storms and lightning. If you get caught in this type of storm, make sure you're not the tallest object on the landscape.<br />
The following is a look at deer hunting prospects in each of the DWR's five regions:
Northern Region
Mule deer populations are increasing in the Northern Region, and rifle hunters can expect to find good numbers of bucks this year.
One exception is the Cache unit, a large public land unit in the northeastern past of the region. The deer population on the Cache unit is well below the management objective for the unit. The current population on the unit is stable to slightly increasing in number.
Related information: Northern Utah fawn survival rates graphics, 2003 through 2007 - (PDF format)Randy Wood, Northern Region assistant wildlife manager, says he's encouraged by the good fawn survival biologists observed this year. More than 85 percent of the fawns born in spring 2006 made it through this past winter, and deer populations have increased in nearly all of region's units (please see the link above (Related information) to see population graphics for the region's units.
Wood encourages hunters to pay close attention to the large tracts of private land in the Northern Region. Some of the region's public hunting units have a large number of Cooperative Wildlife Management Units (CWMUs) on them. For the example, the Box Elder unit has 21 CWMUs.
If you plan on hunting on the Box Elder unit, Wood says you can pick up a land ownership map from the Box Elder County Surveyor's office.
Central Region
Rifle hunters should notice a few more young bucks in north-central Utah.
"Because of plentiful habitat and favorable weather conditions, 2006 was a good year for fawns in the region," says Craig Clyde, Central Region wildlife manager. "Hunters should see many young buck deer in the region this fall."
Clyde says about 45 percent of the deer biologists checked at Central Region checkpoints last year were 2 and 1/2-year-old or older deer. "We also anticipate another good year for older-age-class bucks in the region," he says. "Our buck-to-doe ratio is 15 bucks per 100 does on public land units in the region."
The western half of the Central Region has fewer deer because of its drier desert conditions.
"The western portion of the Central Region is a tinderbox," says Wildlife Biologist Tom Becker. "It's the driest I've ever seen this area."
Becker reminds hunters that the northern part of the Stansbury Mountain range has burned. "I believe at least 20,000 acres burned this past summer," he says. "This will displace some of our hunters, since this mountain range is somewhat popular for deer hunters."
Becker also reminds general season hunters in the Tooele and Juab county areas that a large portion of this area is part of the Vernon limited entry deer hunting unit (please see the 2007 Big Game Proclamation for the boundaries for this area).
The Salt Creek fire that burned near Mount Nebo has also affected wildlife and may force several deer hunters to look for other areas to hunt.
Northeastern Region
The deer herds in northeastern Utah are doing well.
Conservation Outreach Manager Ron Stewart says management plans for the region's units call for a total population of 45,000 deer.
Right now, the herds are about 90 percent towards reaching that goal.
"That's a comfortable place to be, considering some of the damage to winter ranges due to prolonged and repeated drought cycles," Stewart says.
Stewart says the deer in the region are in good physical condition. "Lots of fawns have also been born, and winter survival has been good," he says.
The number of bucks per 100 does counted by DWR biologists after the 2006 hunting seasons are as follows (all of these ratios are at or above the region's three-year average):
Unit Buck per 100 does<br />
Daggett/Three Corners 16
South Slope 16
Currant Creek 17
Avintaquin 21<br />
(Note: the Avintaquin unit is a small unit with highly variable counts. Many bucks move into the unit after the hunting season is over.)
Stewart says hunting conditions for the rifle hunt should be good to excellent thanks to recent rains and some snow that fell in late-September. "The weather may have started moving deer to lower, more accessible ranges," he says.
Stewart encourages hunters to scout their hunting areas as soon as possible to learn where the deer are and where they're likely to go once the first shot is fired.
He also encourages hunters to be aware of hunt boundaries and private lands, and to not shoot near or towards roads, or houses or other structures where people may be.
Southeastern Region
Rifle hunters will find more bucks in southeastern Utah this year, says Bill Bates, Southeastern Region wildlife manager.
"Moderately good fawn production and winter survival over the past few years have strengthened herds across the region," Bates reports. "Most units show both short and long-term upward trends in the total number of deer."
While the number of deer is up in the region, the total number of deer on all of its herd units is still below the management objective. Wildlife habitat in southeastern Utah faces a long road to recovery after many years of drought. And that drought continues unabated in the region. "If the weather returns to a normal pattern, the vegetation in the region will rebound, and the deer herds should continue to grow," Bates says.
Regarding the buck-to-doe ratio for each unit, Bates indicates the Range Creek unit hovers around 31 bucks per 100 does. Along the Central Mountains-Manti unit in Carbon and Emery counties, Bates says the deer population is gradually rising, with a buck-to-doe ratio of 17 bucks per 100 does.
Farther south in the LaSal Mountains by Moab, the deer population is on the upswing with a buck-to-doe ratio of 15 bucks per 100 does. And the Abajo Mountains in San Juan County support a growing herd, with a buck-to-doe ratio of 22 bucks per 100 does.
Bates says hunters found mixed success during the archery hunt. Rain that fell on the LaSal and Abajo mountains during the hunt dispersed the deer. Hunters found very good success in these areas.
However, late summer rains did not fall on the northern part of the region until late in the hunt. The opening weekend was hot and dry, which kept the deer near water sources deep in the canyons. As a result, the success hunters found on the Manti unit was somewhat lower.
"With the recent changes in the weather pattern, deer should be dispersed throughout the region during the rifle hunt," Bates says. "I think hunters will find some good success."
Southern Region
Good numbers of young buck deer await rifle hunters in much of south-central and southwestern Utah.
Jason Nicholes, the DWR's wildlife biologist in Washington, Iron and the southwestern part of Beaver County, says there's plenty of bucks on many of the units he manages.
"I expect a good hunt on the Pine Valley unit," Nicholes says. "The buck-to-doe ratio on the unit is 19 bucks per 100 does. There should be plenty of yearling bucks on the unit. A decent number of older bucks should be available too."
After surveying deer once the 2006 hunts were over, Nicholes also expects a good hunt on the Zion unit. "Our post-season classification from 2006 showed that we have a buck-to-doe ratio of 21 bucks per 100 does on the unit. This unit should also have a good and varied age class of bucks on it."
Nicholes says the outlook for the Southwest Desert unit isn't as bright. "Deer populations on the Southwest Desert unit are very low," he says. "Deer can be found, but they're small in number and they're spread out over a very large area. The buck-to-doe ratio for this unit is currently at 28 bucks per 100 does."
The Milford Flats fire in Beaver and Millard counties has altered deer movement patterns in much of the area west of I-15, says Lynn Chamberlain, Southern Region conservation outreach manager.
"There was some decline in deer numbers in the affected area, but land owners have reported larger congregations of animals in and around agricultural areas," Chamberlain says.
More young bucks should be roaming Utah's forests when the state's general rifle buck deer hunt kicks off Oct. 20.
More than 60,000 hunters, along with their family and friends, are expected in Utah's forests and hills for the state's most popular hunt.
More bucks
"Since 1998, the buck-to-doe ratio has been right around 15 bucks per 100 does. But we've had a couple of years where it's peaked at 17 bucks per 100 does-2000 and now again this year," says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.
DWR biologists determine the ratio by conducting on-the-ground surveys after the hunting seasons are over in the fall. This past winter was mild in Utah, so most of the bucks biologists saw last fall, and many of the buck fawns they saw, should be available to rifle hunters on Oct. 20.
The following chart shows the buck-to-doe ratio after the past two hunting seasons:
Region 2005 2006
Northern 16 18
Central 15 15
Northeastern 16 16
Southeastern 17 20
Southern 17 16<br />
Aoude says more than 320,000 adult deer were in Utah this spring. That's up from about 296,000 adult deer in the spring of 2006.
"Conditions for deer in Utah started improving in about 2003," Aoude says. "We've had fair moisture over the past few years, and the winters have been mild."
Wildfires
While deer were affected by some of the wildfires in Utah this summer, the biggest fire-the Milford Flat fire in south-central Utah-burned an area that few deer use during the hunting season. "If you've traditionally hunted in an area that burned this past summer, I'd strongly encourage you to get out before the hunt and see what the area looks like," Aoude says.
Where will the deer be?
Unless it snows before Oct. 20, many of the deer will be in the same place they've been for the past few months-at higher elevations.
"The only thing that will move deer out of the high country during the rifle hunt is snow," Aoude says. "If we get some snow before the hunt, that could push the deer down to lower elevations."
If it doesn't snow, and the weather gets warmer, the deer may not feed very long in the morning. "In that case, you need to get into the cover and find the places where the deer are hiding," Aoude says.
Aoude says many areas in Utah have received some good moisture recently. That moisture has moistened the vegetation. And that should make it easier for hunters to move around without making noise. "But that could change if it gets hot again before the hunt," Aoude says.
More tips
Aoude also provides the following tips and reminders:
Get a good pair of binoculars, and spend time during the hunt glassing areas for deer. "The leaves are usually off the trees during the rifle hunt, and that allows you to see a long distance," he says. "A good pair of binoculars can save you a lot of walking."<br />
Practice with your rifle. If you do, the chance goes up that you'll take a deer when that perfect shot presents itself.<br />
Make sure there's a backdrop behind any deer you shoot at. For example, don't shoot at a deer that's standing on the top of a hill. If you miss, your bullet will sail over the hill. It could hit someone on the other side.<br />
Get away from the hunting pressure near the roads.<br />
Be aware of the direction the wind is blowing. If you're stalking an animal, or waiting near a water hole or trail, make sure the wind is blowing across your body or into your face. That way, your scent won't be carried to the deer.<br />
Get an OHV riding map for the area you plan to hunt. These maps are available from the agency-usually the U.S. Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management-that manages the land you'll be hunting on.<br />
"It's extremely important-to the deer and their habitat, and to other hunters-that you don't take an OHV into an area that's not open to their use," Aoude says. "You might be surprised to learn where OHVs are not allowed."<br />
Watch out for thunder storms and lightning. If you get caught in this type of storm, make sure you're not the tallest object on the landscape.<br />
The following is a look at deer hunting prospects in each of the DWR's five regions:
Northern Region
Mule deer populations are increasing in the Northern Region, and rifle hunters can expect to find good numbers of bucks this year.
One exception is the Cache unit, a large public land unit in the northeastern past of the region. The deer population on the Cache unit is well below the management objective for the unit. The current population on the unit is stable to slightly increasing in number.
Related information: Northern Utah fawn survival rates graphics, 2003 through 2007 - (PDF format)Randy Wood, Northern Region assistant wildlife manager, says he's encouraged by the good fawn survival biologists observed this year. More than 85 percent of the fawns born in spring 2006 made it through this past winter, and deer populations have increased in nearly all of region's units (please see the link above (Related information) to see population graphics for the region's units.
Wood encourages hunters to pay close attention to the large tracts of private land in the Northern Region. Some of the region's public hunting units have a large number of Cooperative Wildlife Management Units (CWMUs) on them. For the example, the Box Elder unit has 21 CWMUs.
If you plan on hunting on the Box Elder unit, Wood says you can pick up a land ownership map from the Box Elder County Surveyor's office.
Central Region
Rifle hunters should notice a few more young bucks in north-central Utah.
"Because of plentiful habitat and favorable weather conditions, 2006 was a good year for fawns in the region," says Craig Clyde, Central Region wildlife manager. "Hunters should see many young buck deer in the region this fall."
Clyde says about 45 percent of the deer biologists checked at Central Region checkpoints last year were 2 and 1/2-year-old or older deer. "We also anticipate another good year for older-age-class bucks in the region," he says. "Our buck-to-doe ratio is 15 bucks per 100 does on public land units in the region."
The western half of the Central Region has fewer deer because of its drier desert conditions.
"The western portion of the Central Region is a tinderbox," says Wildlife Biologist Tom Becker. "It's the driest I've ever seen this area."
Becker reminds hunters that the northern part of the Stansbury Mountain range has burned. "I believe at least 20,000 acres burned this past summer," he says. "This will displace some of our hunters, since this mountain range is somewhat popular for deer hunters."
Becker also reminds general season hunters in the Tooele and Juab county areas that a large portion of this area is part of the Vernon limited entry deer hunting unit (please see the 2007 Big Game Proclamation for the boundaries for this area).
The Salt Creek fire that burned near Mount Nebo has also affected wildlife and may force several deer hunters to look for other areas to hunt.
Northeastern Region
The deer herds in northeastern Utah are doing well.
Conservation Outreach Manager Ron Stewart says management plans for the region's units call for a total population of 45,000 deer.
Right now, the herds are about 90 percent towards reaching that goal.
"That's a comfortable place to be, considering some of the damage to winter ranges due to prolonged and repeated drought cycles," Stewart says.
Stewart says the deer in the region are in good physical condition. "Lots of fawns have also been born, and winter survival has been good," he says.
The number of bucks per 100 does counted by DWR biologists after the 2006 hunting seasons are as follows (all of these ratios are at or above the region's three-year average):
Unit Buck per 100 does<br />
Daggett/Three Corners 16
South Slope 16
Currant Creek 17
Avintaquin 21<br />
(Note: the Avintaquin unit is a small unit with highly variable counts. Many bucks move into the unit after the hunting season is over.)
Stewart says hunting conditions for the rifle hunt should be good to excellent thanks to recent rains and some snow that fell in late-September. "The weather may have started moving deer to lower, more accessible ranges," he says.
Stewart encourages hunters to scout their hunting areas as soon as possible to learn where the deer are and where they're likely to go once the first shot is fired.
He also encourages hunters to be aware of hunt boundaries and private lands, and to not shoot near or towards roads, or houses or other structures where people may be.
Southeastern Region
Rifle hunters will find more bucks in southeastern Utah this year, says Bill Bates, Southeastern Region wildlife manager.
"Moderately good fawn production and winter survival over the past few years have strengthened herds across the region," Bates reports. "Most units show both short and long-term upward trends in the total number of deer."
While the number of deer is up in the region, the total number of deer on all of its herd units is still below the management objective. Wildlife habitat in southeastern Utah faces a long road to recovery after many years of drought. And that drought continues unabated in the region. "If the weather returns to a normal pattern, the vegetation in the region will rebound, and the deer herds should continue to grow," Bates says.
Regarding the buck-to-doe ratio for each unit, Bates indicates the Range Creek unit hovers around 31 bucks per 100 does. Along the Central Mountains-Manti unit in Carbon and Emery counties, Bates says the deer population is gradually rising, with a buck-to-doe ratio of 17 bucks per 100 does.
Farther south in the LaSal Mountains by Moab, the deer population is on the upswing with a buck-to-doe ratio of 15 bucks per 100 does. And the Abajo Mountains in San Juan County support a growing herd, with a buck-to-doe ratio of 22 bucks per 100 does.
Bates says hunters found mixed success during the archery hunt. Rain that fell on the LaSal and Abajo mountains during the hunt dispersed the deer. Hunters found very good success in these areas.
However, late summer rains did not fall on the northern part of the region until late in the hunt. The opening weekend was hot and dry, which kept the deer near water sources deep in the canyons. As a result, the success hunters found on the Manti unit was somewhat lower.
"With the recent changes in the weather pattern, deer should be dispersed throughout the region during the rifle hunt," Bates says. "I think hunters will find some good success."
Southern Region
Good numbers of young buck deer await rifle hunters in much of south-central and southwestern Utah.
Jason Nicholes, the DWR's wildlife biologist in Washington, Iron and the southwestern part of Beaver County, says there's plenty of bucks on many of the units he manages.
"I expect a good hunt on the Pine Valley unit," Nicholes says. "The buck-to-doe ratio on the unit is 19 bucks per 100 does. There should be plenty of yearling bucks on the unit. A decent number of older bucks should be available too."
After surveying deer once the 2006 hunts were over, Nicholes also expects a good hunt on the Zion unit. "Our post-season classification from 2006 showed that we have a buck-to-doe ratio of 21 bucks per 100 does on the unit. This unit should also have a good and varied age class of bucks on it."
Nicholes says the outlook for the Southwest Desert unit isn't as bright. "Deer populations on the Southwest Desert unit are very low," he says. "Deer can be found, but they're small in number and they're spread out over a very large area. The buck-to-doe ratio for this unit is currently at 28 bucks per 100 does."
The Milford Flats fire in Beaver and Millard counties has altered deer movement patterns in much of the area west of I-15, says Lynn Chamberlain, Southern Region conservation outreach manager.
"There was some decline in deer numbers in the affected area, but land owners have reported larger congregations of animals in and around agricultural areas," Chamberlain says.