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Show B6 Wednesday, August 6. 2003 jSpgPflltS iriuig)lhi Dimis vir airlhiirj7 I rS According to Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) officials, the 2003 deer archery hunt will be overshadowed by the impacts of the continued drought. Archery hunters will take to the field beginning Aug. 16 and can expect to see good deer numbers although populations are estimated to be down by approximately 10 percent from last year. The hunt will continue through Sept. 12. Were seeing fewer deer fawns make it to adulthood due to range conditions that have deteriorated because of the drought, said Jim Karpowitz, DWR big game coordinator. State biologists estimate there were 280,000 deer in Utah after the 2002 hunting season ended. This number is down from the 310,000 deer estimated after the 2001 hunts. While the total number of deer is down slightly, buck to doe ratios in all of the DWRs regions are close to or above the objective of 15 bucks per 100 does. Karpowitz said there are good numbers of bucks available to hunters. He noted that deer herd conditions vary according to where hunters live. If you take a map of Utah and draw a line down the middle, divid V W yirft Uintah High School Soccer holds tryouts this week for varsity and junior varsity teams. ing the state into a western portion and an eastern portion, youll get a good idea, Karpowitz said, In the western portion, we had a good wet spring. The mountains greened up well and the deer are in good Most of shape, he continued. eastern Utah didnt receive much snow or rain this past winter or spring. The severe drought continues there and lots of important deer winter range and other ranges have been lost. Winter ranges in the Uintah Basin have experienced severe sage brush losses. Sage brush and many other browse species have died as a result of the drought and will severely limit deer winter feed availability this coming winter and beyond. recommends that Karpowitz hunters pay attention to water sources to increase their chances of success. The dry, noisy conditions will make spot and stalk hunting almost impossible, Karpowitz said. "But, most archery hunters will tell conditions actually you these improve hunting because they draw deer to water sources, he continued. Find springs, seeps and trails and your chances for success will improve. IhiMirDti According to Ron Stewart, DWR Northeastern Region conservation and outreach spokesman, deer herds in this area are in good shape. Herd numbers are at or slightly above the numbers expressed in the unit management plans, Stewart said. He feels that the higher elevation summer range is in good condition. "Even though the yearly moisture indicates a drought, late spring rains and snowfall created good growth conditions for most of the grasses and shrubs, he said. Hunters are being asked to d observe management programs and to keep abreast of any fire restrictions that may be in effect Fire danger is extremely high this year, Karpowitz said. Its vital that hunters know the fire restrictions and follow them. Its also important that hunters protect their OHV riding privileges by learning which roads and trails are he added. open to OHV use, More than 32,000 acres of important deer summer range in the Henry Mountains were lost recently when someone didnt do that and their OHV caused a spark and ignited a fire. off-roa- o ?r to review regulations on Gorge Flaming Division of The RAC Local girls win 3-on- tourney -3 Utah first annulv3 soccer tournament in conjunction with the Uintah County lair I he Soccer Shockers of Vernal took first place in the girl's Ul 1 division. The team consisted championship game. The Championship game was a hard fought duel in the first half C'atlin Chi vers, Gcri l.ou Rasmussen, Whitney Norton and Lacey Notion. The gill's division had five teams participate with sevetal out of town teams. The Soccer Shockers won three out of In the second half the Soccer Shockers had more energy and were able to score five goals. The Rink Panthers had chances but were only able to tally one goal. The Soccer Shockers took A local team won the al ol lour games in pool play capturing 51 points to move into the championship game in first place in pool play. The Rink Panthers of Venial Kamhce Redden, Dawn Kaei k, Tess Murray and Amanda Kacik went 2 I I m pool play earning 44 points for second place, which moved them into the H with both teams exchanging goals back and forth for a 2 tie at half 2-- time. d the championship with a 3 final score. The Soccer well-earne- 7-- Shockers will be recognized at the award ceremony at the Uintah County Fair on Friday, Aug. 8 at 6 at the amphitheater at p.m. Western Park. ,400 teams Opportunities to qualify lor big bucks at the regional shoot outs and a seat in the national Wildlife Resources (DWR) will present proposed changes for kokanee salmon fishing at Flaming Gotge at a public meeting in mid August. The proposed regulation changes are intended to improve kokanee fishing. The Northeastern Wildlife Regional Advisory Council (RAC) will hear the proposed changes at their public meeting slated for 7 p.m. on Aug. 17. The meeting will be held at the Vernal City Offices located at 447 East Main Street in Vernal. The DWR proposals would increase lake trout limits to six and kokanee salmon fishing in Flaming Gorge Reservoir would be closed from Oct. to Nov. 7. If the regulations arc adopted, the changes would go into ellect in 2004. "Kokanee salmon usually go through a two-yecycle," said Tom Pettengill, DWR spoil fisheries 1 iSB3 J3 habitat technicians Kael Stewart and Jonathan Wood refresh and recharge depleted water catchments on drought impacted rangelands in the Uintah Basin." "Wildlife coordinator. Numbers are good for two years, then they decline for two years and then they come back up, he added. According to Pettengill, Kokanee salmon numbers have not increased from the last down cycle and biologists are pointing their fin mipte U.S. Team u Bingham, $2258 and Regional: Incentive places: Doc Allen and Boyd Pallesen, $800, coats and Short-G- o fast time: Jaguar Terrill and Matt Weidner, $320. In the 6s: Wes Leavitt and Drayton Martin, $6754, saddles and National; Vernon Schnose and Earl S. Merrill, $4278, breast collars and National; Calvin Curtis and K.C. Curtis, $2926 and Regional; Craig Nielsen and Jesse Nash, $2476 and The Western Raik is a popular destination for these large sanctioned roping events because of Park facilities and the conveniences found in the community US'! RC piodiuer Bill Cornia sees hundreds of thousands of dollars being brought into communities by the rideis. Although some of the I teams participating in last weekend's roping were from the Uintah Basin, most were not, thus generating a large outlay in money 0 asDu bined trout and kokanee salmon limit would remain at six fish, but all of those fish could be lake trout. The kokanee salmon limit would remain at three fish and anglers could have only one lake trout over 28 inches. This regulation would keep plenty of big lake trout in the reservoir while helping reduce the number of smaller fish, Pettengill said. The regulation change being proposed by Utah is consistent with what the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is hoping to install on their part of the reservoir in 2004. Pettengill said that closing kokanee salmon fishing on the lake Regional. !,4(X) roping teams to Vernal Aug. winners to earn $45,0X)-$50,00per rider. Qualifying for the National competition places riders able to compete for over $3 million in the eight days of roping, Philip Murrah, who oversees several aspects of the USTRC for Cornia, says 265 head of Old Mexico steers were brought to the Vernal meet. The Cornia production fields a prize line of over $23,000 in Martin gers at predation by lake trout as the reason. He said that there are large numbers of young lake trout in the reservoir and biologists hope that anglers will help reduce the populations if regulations are relaxed. Under DWR proposals, the com- - ffir Roping Championships to be held Tabor Day in Oklahoma, brought spent in Vernal businesses, Cornia has held these large roping events in Vernal for over 10 years. Several National Rodeo Association champions competed in Vernal this year. The youngest competitor this year was 10 and the oldest was in his mid 70's. All abilities were represented, with handicaps and classifications helping all to have a more equal chance at purse money, saddles and other rewards. The ultimate reward was qualifying to compete at Regional Shoofouts where it is possible for riS? Even though hes morning fresh and fired up to run, this Mexican steer is no match for the roping teams competing for big money, saddles and a shot at even bigger purses at the National Team Roping Championships this fall. Saddles, Gist Buckles and other ing tack. Dally for Dinosaurs-Ope- n rid- win- ning team with payoff was Rick Iauridsen and Mark Kerstmg with $1,464, and Jay (.Herman and Bret Trenary with $976. Incentive was Duke Iancastcr and J.W. Borrego, $2X) and Regional, Fast time overall was Jesse Sheffield and Ryan Abplanalp, $294. In ls, Rick Laurid-e- and Tim Nelson, $2020, bits and National; Jeremiah Andrews and Camish Jennings, $1514 and Regional, Chris Bates and Austin Adams, $1010 and Regional. Fast time overall, Denny Hanson and Rrcx'k Hanson, $480. In the this. Heavy Sursa and Chance Abplanalp, $3214, saddles and National; John ('ear and Jeff Gerhardt, $2141, breast collars and Regional; Gina Cooper and Brock Hanson, $1696 and Regional. Incentive, Gina Cixiper and Brock Hanson, $K(X), coats and Regional. Fast time overall, Cory McNeill and Chad Richard, $480. In the 8s, Jerry Jensen and Garrett Wright, $2626 and buckles. Incentive, Doc Allen and Bill Cornia, $2428 and buckles. Fast time overall. Simon Tafoya and Jerry Brown, $600. Saturdays roping payoff, in the 8s: Dan Scarbrough and Brent saddles and $3888, l.indsey, National; D A. Poll and Brady Siddoway, $2592, breast collars and Regional; Wane Workman and Matt Weidner, $2052 and Regional.; Incentive: Dan Scarbrough and Brent Lindsey $800 and coats. Short-gfast time:Brady Watterson and Walt Bowen, $480. In the 7s: Jeremiah Andrews and Jerry Brown, $6158, saddles and National; Jim Grayson and Jeff Gerhardt, $3900, breast collars and National; Vernon Schnose and Jeff Bcrhardt, $2668 ard Regional; Morrison and Doyle Randy o Regional. Incentives: Charisse Nauyokas and Joe Nauyokas, $800 Short-G- o time: fast LaRae Branham and Olin Pulham $480. In the 5s: Casey Mills and Marvin Adams, $5890, saddles and National; Sam Hollar and Norman Faver, $3730 .breast collars and National; Doc Allen and Leon Richens, $2552 and Regional; Roy Taylor and Phil Moffitt, $2160 and Regional. Incentives: Roy Taylor and Phil Moffitt, $800, coats and National. Short-G- o fast period: Gordon Barrow and Matt Petersen, $480. In the 4s: Craig Lindsay and Doug Eggleston, $3484, saddles and National; Chris Nielsen and Zac buckles and Jensen, $2206, Merrill and Dick Jennifer National; Davis, $2520, buckles and National; Farrel Craig and David Hood $1278, and National; Dwayne Skelton and Mark Gillette, $1044 and National. Short-G- o fast time: Chris Nielsen and Zac Jensen, $200. . See RAC on page B8 Whiterocks caving trip offered in August The Uintah Recreation District will be taking up to 13 participants on a day long trip for an exclusive tour of the Whiterocks caves in Whiterocks Canyon, Friday, August 22. The tour will be guided by the Forest Service and requires participants to be in good physical condition for the hike to the caves and into the cavern. Participants must be 13 or older to register, or participants 9 to 12 years old may register with an adult. A van will leave from the Vernal Middle School at 7:30 a.m. and will return at about 6 p.m. The registration fee is $15, and participants must bring their own lunch, water and supplies as instructed. The cave tour is an excellent opportunity because most trips to the caves are booked the first week the Forest Service takes reservations. Register early to guarantee a spot. For more information about this or register at trip, call 781-09Uintah Recreation District, 134 W. Main, Suite 101 in the Chamber of Commerce building. |