Archery hunt should be balanced

The balance is changing and Utah's archery hunters may well see it when they go afield for the opening of the deer hunt on Aug. 21.

Consensus is that deer numbers in the northern half of the state are up, while those in the southern half are falling.

In the past, deer numbers in the northern reaches of Utah were down because of the drought and heavy losses during bad winters.

This year, said Jim Karpowitz, big game coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, "The northern half of Utah received some good rainfall during the spring of 2003, and that helped the number of fawns born that spring rebound after four years of decline. Few deer were lost this past winter, so most of the male deer born in spring 2003 will be available as spike and two-point bucks this year."

While deer in the north are doing better, those to the south are struggling because of the drought. And, where once buck-to-doe ratios varied widely, this year they are nearly identical.

This year, archery hunters will be allowed to hunt on any of the units open to general-season hunting. The DWR reported this week that there were still permits available for the archery hunt.

"All of the five regions are about the same as far as buck-to-doe ratios, with an average of 15 to 16 bucks per 100 does across Utah," he said.

"This wet summer has provided a lot of vegetation and water sources for the deer, and that's spread them out. Archery hunters who are used to hunting water sources will need to get out and find the deer this season. The wet conditions have also improved hunting conditions, however, and it will be easier for hunters to move around without spooking the deer."

The hunt will close on Sept. 12.

Following is the DWR's region-by-region look at hunting conditions:

Northern Region

Hunters can expect to see more young bucks this season.

Karpowitz reported that fawn-to-doe ratios last fall averaged 72 fawns per 100 does, which is a much higher ratio than in Southern Utah.

Despite heavy snowfall from Brigham City southward this past winter, most of the fawns born in northern Utah in spring 2003 made it through the winter.

One drawback to hunting the Northern Region is the lack of public land.

Central Region