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Show Nephi, Utah Cimrs-Nrl- s vTl;r Page 10 August 11, 2004 Uinta Mountain Archery hunters should see more deer in northern Utah For the first time in years, archery hunters hunting in the northern half of Ltah may see as many deer as those hunting in the south. Utah's general statewide archery buck deer hunt begins Aug. 21. Hunters may hunt on any area in the state thats open to general season deer hunting. As of Aug. 3, more than G.(MH) permits were still available for the hunt. The northern half of Itah received some gixxl rainfall during the spring of 2003, and that helped the number of fawns born that spring rebound after four years of decline, said Jim Karpowitz, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "Few deer were lost this past winter, so most of the male deer born in spring 2003 will be available as spike and t bucks this year. While deer herds in the northern part of Utah are doing better, deer in the southern parts of both the Southern and Southeastern regions continue to struggle two-poin- because of drought. As a result, buck to doe ratios are almost identical across the state. All of the five regions are about the same as far as buck to doe ratios, with an average of 15 to 1G bucks per 100 does across Utah, he said. Karpowitz says archery hunters who have gotten used to hunting in dry conditions the past few years may need to switch tactics this season. This wet summer has provided a lot of vegetation and water sources for the deer, and thats spread them out. Archery hunters who are used to hunting water sources will need to get .out and find the deer this season, he said. The wet conditions have also improved hunting conditions, however, and it will be easier for hunters to move around without spooking the deer. to review a archery copy of the 2001 Hig Game Proclamation and to learn w here they can rule their vehicles by obtaining 011V riding maps from the U.S. Fore-- t Service or Bureau of bind Management before heading afield. Karpowitz says the general statewide archer)' hunt provides hunters advantages they wont find in any other hunter-- , hunt. Statewide archery hunters enjoy a long sea.-o- n and theyre able to hunt dur- ing a nice time of year, when the weather is good." The archery hunt he said. y. - p4 4i ' ' , v n r i, k. 1V: $5 Join 'as Us1! SALT CREEK TUMBLING ; . -- 1 Taught 'by experienced gymnasts Enhances coordination and flexibility Classes begin September 9th so call Kim 1 to reserve your '.Stephenson at spot! ($15mo. family rates are available) -.- rY-n 623-524- r-r By following a few, simple rules, Utah's archery hunters can have a safe experience in the states backcountry this season. The states general archery buck deer hunt begins Aug. 21, and the states general There's only been one skills X? a -- . Ceil Y f ' A bucks " The western portion of the region is desert and usually receives less hunting pressure than the eastern side. Most archers hunting the western portion of the region concentrate on the Oquirrh. Stansbury and Deep Creek mountain ranges, Root said. It may be a little more difficult to fill your tag in this part of the region this year." Those hunting w est of are reminded that a sizeable portion of the area is part of the Vernon limited-entrhunting unit. This unit is dosed to general season hunters. Root says archers who want to hunt the extended archery areas within the region do not need to purchase an auxiliary permit this year, but they are required to complete the DWRs archery ethics course. The course is free of charge and can be taken online at wildlife.utah.gov. Archers must have a printed completion certificate in their possession when hunting the extended archery areas. "A benefit of hunting the Wasatch Front extended archery area is that from Sept. 18 to Nov. 30 its hunters choice, meaning hunters may take either a buck or a doe. Root said. From Dec. 1 to Dec. 15. this extended area is open for antlerless hunting y only. Archers hunting the Central Region are also reminded vehicle to know regulations and any fire restrictions for the areas they hunt. For more information, call the Central Region office at n (801) Northeastern Region Deer in the Northeastern Region should be fat and healthy since most of the recorded death of an archery hunter in the state's history, so its a very safe hunt that way, but every year we receive reports of archery hunters injuring themselves, says Lenny Rees, hunter education coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. Rees says most of the accidents happen because hunters are unsafe in tree stands, or they have arrows out of their quiver when they shouldn't. He provides the following advice to help hunters avoid these accidents: 1) Tree stands before climbing a tree, make sure t, THE LAW FIRM of JAMES TUCKER HANSEN, P.C. its large enough to hold your weight. To avoid falling while climbing the tree, attach a hauling line to your bow, arrows and other equipment and leave them on the ground. After climbing into your tree stand, attach your safety line. Then use your hauling line to lift your gear to you. Rees also recommends using a portable tree stand, rather than constructing a permanent one. Permanent tree stands have a tendency to deteriorate and, over time, become unsafe, he said. They are unsightly, too, and a person damages the tree by putting nails in it. 2) Keep your arrows in a hooded quiver that covers the broadheads, until you're ready to shoot, Rees said. Archers jabbing themselves or hunters walking close to them, while carrying arrows in their hand that should be in their quiver, is one of the most common accidents during the archery hunts, State law requires that arrows be cased while in or on a vehicle. While outside the vehicle, its up to hunters to protect themselves. Rees also provides archery hunters tips on getting prepared for the season, safety items to remember while in the field and tips on tracking animals and preserving meat. 1) Preparation: a. equipment checks make sure laminations are not flaking or separating, that strings are not fraying and that the pulleys and Attorneys Kascy L. Wright and James Tucker Hansen Specializing In: Estate Planning (Wills &. Trusts) Construction Law Adoptions Domestic Law Debt Collection Civil Litigation Contracts .and more! Call (801) t 756-765- 8 8 er vegetation has allowed the animals to spread out more across the mountain. It should also allow hunters to move around without making as much noise. Winter deer survival was good this year due to early, warm spring weather. Stewart says buck to doe ratios on the South Slope Yellowstone and Waatch units are near the statewide goal of 15 bucks per 100 does. On the eastern and northeastern slopes of the Unitas, buck to w ill be below the statewide goal due to several years of drought and higher concentrations of hqnters in those areas. Hunter success usually favors those who know the area and are willing to get out and scout in the weeks prior to the hunt. Stewart said. Hunters are also reminded to check with land management agencies for the latest information on camping, vehicle and fire regulations. doe numbers For more information, call the Northeastern Region office at (135) 781 WILD -- (9 153). Southeastern Region Bill Bates, Southeastern Region wildlife manager, says deer hunting in southeastern Utah will be a mixed bag in 2001. Buck-do- the lead iU.tr herd recovery: Other unit fall in at about 50 percent. "Fawn to doe ratios this year and aver- aged 5 1 faw ns per 100 dues, Bates eaid. This number is up significantly from previous years, but still has a long way to go. Doe to fawn ratios higher than 70 fawns per 100 dues are desirable for the population to recover " Bates says archery hunters can expect to see a lot of yearling bucks this year. "This past winter caused very little winter kill because periods of moisture were broken by periods of melting, making forage available to the deer. he said. Bates urges hunters to do some scouting. Find water sources in sheltered locations and away from roads, he said. Locate day beds, foraging areas and escape routes. Realize that the behavior patterns of deer may change dramatically with increased hunter traffpre-seao- n ic. For more information, call the Southeastern Region office at (135) Southern Region Hunting conditions in the Southern Region should be improved when the season opens Aug. 21, but there will be fewer deer for hunters to 63G-02G- pursue. "Deer in many areas in the Southern Region are still suffering from extreme drought conditions and deer numbers will be down, which has been the trend in the region over the past two years, said Lynn Chamberlain, Southern Region conservation outreach ratios are pretty e close to the management objective of 15 bucks per 100 does, Bates said. The Manti unit is slightly higher at 17 bucks per 100 does. The LaSal and Abajo mountains stand at 13 bucks per 100 does." Region-wide- , the deer population remains at about 56 percent of herd objective. The Book Cliffs have the most room for growth, with herds at 25 percent of objective. The Manti, at 75 percent, takes manager. The high mountain areas have received some significant amounts of rain this summer, however, and hunting conditions should be improved over last year, Chamberlain said. For the best success, Id encourage archery hunters to stay in the upper elevations and hunt around water sources. For more information, call the Southern Region office at (435) 865-610- Archery hunting and safety tips archery elk hunt kicks off Learn proper form and technique Provides important interactive and social 1 I7G-27I- Central Region Aug. 26. Ages 3 and up . (HOI) two-poi- ' Come bucks this season. One drawback to hunting the Northern Region i.s the lack of public land. There are two big public land units in the region the Box Elder and the Cache but thats about it. Karpowitz said. Hunters should see more yearling bucks on those units, though, and we hope hunters have a great time hunting those unit.-- , this year. For more information, call the Northern Region office at and muzzlcloader hunts and archery hunters get first crack at the deer, so they're hunting when deer numbers are the highest." Hunters who haven't purchased their permit yet may obtain one at the DWR's Web site (wildhfe.utah.gov). Permits also are available from 150 license agents statewide and the DWRs six offices. The following is a look at deer hunting prospects in each of the DWRs five re- S 1 two-poin- crowded as the rifle .f .Af.il V that means Northern Region archery hunters should see t more spike and Archers hunting in the Central Region should find good hunting conditions and healthy deer herds. Very few deer were lost this past winter in the eastern portion of the region, and many late season storms have kept w ater flowing in springs and other watering sources, said Scott Root, Central Region conservation outreach manager. Deer have the luxury of being able to scatter throughout the eastern parts of the region because theres gions: plenty of water and plenty of lush vegetation. Though Northern Region Archery hunters should deer will mostly be found in see more young bucks on the the higher elevations, among Northern Regions deer units the aspen, pine, oak and sagethis season. brush communities, many Good rainfall in the northdeer also prefer the foothills ern half of Utah in the spring surrounding urban communiof 2003 improved habitat ties. Root says the western porconditions, and that in turn helped the number of fawns tion of the Central Region last fall averaged 72 fawns may not have fared as well per 100 does. Thats a better over the last year. Three ratio than southern Utah, consecutive, big snow storms which has been the most last December, coupled with severe desert conditions last popular place for deer hunters to go in recent years. summer, resulted in some Despite heavy snowfall loss among last years fawn from Brigham City southpopulation, he said. Last ward this past winter, most years fawns will be this of the fawns born in northern years spike and Utah in spring 2003 made it through the winter. And isnt as T' . 4y- ' Karpowitz encourages have an average to an above average amount of rain this summer The rains have kept the vegetation green ami productive. gfssi fur the deer and elk and gixwl for the hunters," said Ron Stewart. Northeastern Region conservation outreach manager. The green- cables on compound bows are in good working order. Also, be sure your equipment is matched, that your arrows spline (the stiffness of the arrows shaft) matches your bows draw weight. If your bows draw weight produces more force than your arrow is designed to handle, your arrow will probably fly off target. b. broadhead sharpen- ing be careful to not cut yourself while sharpening broadheads. Your broadheads should be razor sharp, but dont cut yourself in the process. c. practice your shooting as much as possible. d. obtain written permis sion from private landowners before hunting on their property or using their property to access public land. e. obtain a general statewide archery buck deer permit andor a general archery elk permit, and know the boundaries of limited entry units and other restricted areas in the area where you'll be hunting. Never take a shot at a deer or elk that is beyond your maximum, effective range. Also, before releasing your arrow, be sure of your target and whats beyond it. 3) After the shot: a. watch the animal and determine1 the direction it took. Then go to the spot where you last saw the animal and find your arrow. If theres blood on it, and if you 2) have a compass, take a reading of the direction the animal went. Then wait 30 minutes before tracking it. Hunters who track the animal that are shot will be found dead by the hunter at a reasonable distance, if the hunter waits 30 minutes before tracking it. b. when tracking an animal, look for blood not only on the ground, but the brush too. If you begin to lose the trail, tie a piece of biodegradable paper on the last spot you see and then search for the trail, walking a circular pattern out from the paper. The paper will serve as a marker, letting you know where you started. Also, tying paper at the locations of the last three or four spots you see, and then standing a distance away and looking at the paper trail, can help you visualize the direction the animal last took. c. once youve located your animal, make sure its dead by seeing if its eyes are open. If theyre not, the animal probably isnt dead. If they are, touch one of the eyes with a long stick that will keep you out of harm's way. Once the animal is dead, field dress and the meat immediately. The warm weather that usually accompanies the archery hunt can cause meat to spoil cool quickly. Rees also advises archery hunters on ways to reduce conflicts with homeowners and people who dont hunt: 1) Study and confirm access points to hunting areas well in advance. 2) If access requires crossing private land, ensure written permission is obtained. If you cant secure written permission, find another access point. 3) Make sure youre well beyond the minimum distances from roads and dwellings before you start hunting. Those hunting in Salt Lake County are reminded that the county has more restrictive requirements than the rest of Utah. Read the proclamation closely. 4) Avoid hunting in high profile areas. When possible, heavily used trails should also be avoided. Most people in Utah hunt, but they support hunting and hunting-rchoose not to activities as long elated as hunters are safe, legal and ethical in their conduct while in the field, Rees said. When that does not happen, public favor can take a turn for the worse. Archery hunters who want to hunt the Wasatch Front, Ogden or Unitah Basin extended archery areas need to remember the following: 1) Before hunting the area, they must complete the Extended Archery Ethics Course. The free course is available online at the DWRs Internet Web site (wildlife. utah.gov). 2) While hunting the area, they must carry two items with them a 2004 statewide general archery buck deer permit and their Extended Archery Ethics Course certificate. If the archer is a member of Utahs Dedicated Hunter program, they must also carry their Dedicated Hunter Certificate of Registration with them. For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWRs Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-470- |