From Deseret News archives:
The deer hunt Lots of bucks in Utah as the season nears
As a result, hunters headed out for the general deer hunt opener on Oct. 20 can expect to see more deer, and in particular more bucks mostly young bucks.
Weather will, of course, have a lot to do with the overall success rate. Hunters were hampered by bad weather on the opening of the general elk season this past weekend.
It's unlikely the higher elevations will dry out before the deer season starts in 10 days. Backcountry roads in the mid- to lower-elevations could be dry if there is no more rain or snow.
The fact remains that as a result of good winter survival and good summer feed, Utah's deer numbers are increasing. In almost every area of the state, buck-to-doe objectives, once below ideal numbers, are close to or above those called for in the mule deer management plan.
More than 60,000 rifle hunters are expected in the field on opening morning. All of the available permits were sold more than a month ago, which is the earliest in more than a decade.
Overall expectations are that one in three hunters can expect to tag a deer and that most of the deer tagged will be yearling 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 ... in 2000 and now again this year," said Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Biologists determine the ratio by conducting on-the-ground surveys after hunting seasons. This past winter was mild in Utah, so most of the bucks biologists saw last fall, and many of the buck fawns, are roaming the hills this fall.
A region-by-region chart shows:
• In the Northern Region, there were 18 bucks per 100 does in 2006, compared to 16 bucks in 2005.
• In the Central Region, the buck-to-doe ratio remained at 15 per 100 does.
• In the Northeastern Region, the buck-to-doe ratio remained at 16 per 100 does.
• In the Southeastern Region, counts showed 20 bucks per 100 does in 2006, which is up from 17 per 100 in 2005.
• The only drop was in the Southern Region where it fell from 17 to 16 bucks per 100 does between 2005 and 2006.
Aoude pointed out that recent storms have provided some fall green-up, "which should provide good forage for the deer.
Recent comments
Why do we not go back to 3 point or better on the deer hunt? We also...
SHAWN | Oct. 23, 2009 at 12:30 a.m.
Hunters are the one protecting our habitat and wild animals....
Anonymous | Oct. 17, 2007 at 10:49 p.m.
I think we should go on a mad deer hunt and keel em all
Greg | Oct. 15, 2007 at 4:35 p.m.
- Tempers rise in health-care debate 10:13 p.m.
- Runaway, parents told to talk religion 10:11 p.m.
- FAA: No in-flight napping for pilots 10:10 p.m.
- 2 arrested in Roy double slaying 9:56 p.m.
- Utah delegation split on plans 9:55 p.m.
- Cougars, Utes on list of MWC honorees 9:55 p.m.
- Sports briefs 9:51 p.m.
- Teen girl killed in Kaysville crash 9:48 p.m.
- Gallery: Holidays with the Herberts 9:28 p.m.
- Patrolman kills suspect in slayings 9:24 p.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend
- Witness: Mitchell wanted attention
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- MWC '09 season in review
- Jazz win 6th in 7 games
- Jazz ready to be without Harpring
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
903 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
482 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
401 - Max Hall issues apology
387 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
346 - Utes won't respond to Hall
275 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
236 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
158 - BYU is champion of the state
143 - Religion in politics is tiresome
128
Is Angels Landing perhaps Utah's single most dangerous hiking trail? The...
Hall wasn't the first team QB because of his little speech... Check the...
As long as UNLV is ranked when they play BYU, then BYU gets the chance to...
I was against the war before I was for it...
Brother and Sister Sneddon and family, we think of you often and miss you....
Typical Y fans, the polls only mean something when the Y is ranked, when...
Come on is this really earth shattering news that a player admitted he hates...
Brems is the man for the job! Anyone who disagrees take it up with the board...
It is good to know that they are following Audrey's wishes with some of the...
I don't know why I waste my time reading these articles. I am contributing to...
There is no good reason for universities to be involved with athletics. The...



