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Show (Die (Ttmcs-Ccfo- Nephi, Utah s Page 10 Archery buck deer hunt begins August 16th Dry conditions and deer numbers that will be down slightly from last year await hunters when Utahs statewide general archery buck deer hunt begins Aug. 16. The hunt runs through Sept. 12 and permits to participate in it are still available. Division of Wildlife Resources biologists estimate there were about 280,000 deer in Utah after the 2002 hunts. Thats a decrease of about 10 percent from the 310,000 deer that were estimated after the 2001 hunts. Were seeing fewer deer fawns make it to adulthood due to range conditions that have deteriorated because of the drought, said Jim 100 does, so herds. Karpowitz says the condition of the deer in Utah varies according to where they live. If you take a map of Utah and draw a line down the middle, dividing the state into a western portion and an eastern portion, youll get a good idea, he said. In the western portion, we had a good, wet spring.The mountains greened up well and the deer are in good shape, he said. Most of 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 Kar-powit- big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. 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 r there are good numbers of bucks in the been lost. Despite the dry conditions, DWR Northeastern Region Conservation Outreach Manager Ron Stewart says high elevation summer ranges in the region received some late spring rains and are in good shape. Hunt Water Sources To give themselves the best chance for success, Karpowitz encourages hunters to find water sources and hunt near them. The dry, noisy conditions will make spot and stalk hunting almost impossible, he said, but most archery hunters will tell you these conditions actually improve hunting because they draw deer to water sources. Find springs, seeps and trails and your chances for success will improve. Vehicle Fire, and Game Care Reminders Before heading out this year, Karpowitz encourages archery deer hunters to learn fire restrictions and y vehicle regulations by contacting the agency (usually the U.S. Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management) that manages the hunters know the fire NEBO DISTRICT SCHOOL Back to School Check List Flew Backpack FJotcbooksDindcrs Pencils, Pens Jew Graphing Calculator Visit Dr. ail LI Francis.DDS and net braces for tho bids before school starts Karl Francis, DDS This coupon entitles a new patient to receive a discount of M off an orthodontic workup Offer omty vaHd from August 7lb through Sept I5tb 2003 Refer a friend and receive $100.00 off your treatment fee. Ho problem too big; No gap too vidc Free Consultation! Call to schedule 798-822- 6 a free consultation. re- strictions and follow them, he said. Its also important that they protect their OHV riding privilege by learning which roads and trails are open to OHV use, and then keeping their OHVs on those roads and trails, he said. 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 that ignited a fire. ensure good venison to enjoy in the months to come, To Karpowitz encourages hunters to skin their deer immediately, place it in a game bag and then hang it where it can cool in the breeze. If you keep the animal off the ground and follow these procedures, youll have good meat to enjoy in the coming months, he said. The following is a look at deer hunting prospects in each of the DWRs five regions: Alarm Clock Dr. land theyll be hunting on. Fire danger is extremely high this year.Its vital that Northern Region Deer numbers on the Box Elder and Cache units the two major public land hunting units in the region as well as the Ogden unit, are The buck to doe ratios for most units within the region are at, or close to, the desired ratio of 15 bucks per 100 does, he said. Deer within the region appear to be in good physical condition despite the drought, thanks in part to a mild winter and a fairly wet spring. Root says many of the higher elevation mountain areas still have lush green vegetation. These greener areas are quickly drying out, however, so hunters should concentrate their efforts near water, he said. A quick scouting trip will allow you to find the most active game trails in your hunting area, which can truly improve your odds at bagging your buck. Root says deer are most active in the early morning and evening hours. Once the sun comes up and temperatures rise, hunters should conce- d Two locations: easy-to-fin- flexible payment options. Most insurance plans aicepted. Visa, Mastercard & Discover )isc ounts for up front payments. f .. t e 1tio Oont'O ' i 50 S. Medical Drive, Suite 8 Pay son, UT 801.465.2529 www.dodrancis.com Center Spanish Fork, LJT 84660 801.7988226 375 W. 781-WIL- D (9453). Southeastern Region Archery hunters in the Southeastern Region will find hunting conditions similar to last years. Each unit remains well below objective in terms of total population numbers, said Brad Crompton, wildlife biologist in the Southeastern Region. Theyve been that way the past several years. The number of bucks per 100 does is good, however, with buck to doe ratios stable throughout the region and at does. pre-sea-so- n conditions, which will impede successful stalking and stillhunting, he said. methods for hunting this significantly below objective year, since the ground will as far as the total number of be covered with dry, noisy deer, but the number of bucks vegetation. Silence is cruon the Box Elder unit is up cial for a chance at getting this year, says Mike Welch, a buck, Root said. Patience Northern Region wildlife is also very important when manager. hunting in dry weather. Root says the western porWelch reminds hunters that most of the Ogden, Morgan- tion of the Central Region has been impacted the most -South Rich, East Canyon and Chalk Creek units, by the lingering drought. and the eastern part of the Several archers may still Box Elder unit, are private prefer to hunt this area to property. Hunters must get away from the crowds, obtain written permission he said. Water sources are before hunting those areas. the key in this arid part of Welch says deer numbers the region.Unless you possess are good on the remaining a Vernon unit permit, please units in the region, but most be cautious not to hunt within of those units are on private the Vernon limited entry unit, which takes up a considerable property where written permission must be obtained portion of this area. before hunting. In addition to hanging out Because of the drought, in higher elevations, many hunting conditions in the deer are staying in lower region should be similar to elevation areas, just above last year, Welch said. For civilization, because of easier the best chance at success, access to water and vegetaId encourage archery hunt- tion. Hunters are reminded ers to hunt near water. that written permission is Welch reminds hunters required to hunt on private that the fire danger in the property. Please obtain written permission now rather region is high. For more information, call than trying to obtain it during the Northern Region office at the hunt, he said. Its also (801) important to become familiar Central Region with shooting ordinances if The deer population hunting near city limits. Root also reminds archers throughout the Central Region has experienced a slight that those who want to hunt reduction due to environmenthe Wasatch Front extended tal conditions over the last archery area must now purtwo years, said Scott Root, chase an additional $5 Exconservation outreach man- tended Archery Area Permit. This permit can be purchased ager for the Central Region. We lost 30 to 40 percent at the DWRs Internet Web of the fawns in some areas site (wildlife.utah.gov) or at last year, mostly due to the DWR offices. bitter-colWasatch Front extended temperatures of late February 2002, he area archers must also comsaid. Statewide, the effects plete an orientation course of those cold temperatures before hunting this area. The course is required for coupled with drought conditions produced similar effects the Wasatch Front extended on fawn survival last year. area only and is not required Though we are currently at for any other extended arabout 70 percent of our region chery area. The course can deer population objective, be completed online at the archers should still see good DWRs Web site. When hunting the Wanumbers of bucks, especially older satch Front extended archery some and age yearling classes of bucks. area, archers must have three documents in their possession: a valid deer permit, a completion certificate for the Wasatch Front orientation course and their $5 Extended Archery Area Permit. If the archer is a member of the Dedicated Hunter program, they must also carry their program Certificate of Registration. the vegetation remains green 476-274- Northeastern Region Deer herds in the Northeastern Region are in good shape, said Ron Stewart, Northeastern Region conservation outreach manager. "Herd numbers are at or slightly above the numbers expressed in the unit management plans." Stewart says conditions in the higher country (summer range) have been good overall. Even though the yearly moisture indicates a drought, late spring rains and snowfall created good w fTtrsar growth conditions for most of A of Wednesday. August 6, 2003 we will not be detailing cars any longer. We appreciate all of the past detail business. We will continue to sene customers for used cars. Title Loans and Post Dated Checks. the grasses and shrubs," he said. Conditions on the winter ranges remain extremely dry, however." Stewart encourages hunters to scout hunting areas before the season and to get out of their vehicles and into the backcountry where the deer are found. Keep I result in loss of privileges as areas are closed to vehicles. For more information, call the Northeastern Region office at (435) theyve eaten during the cooler hours. Tree stands and camouflaged blinds will be good (801)491-5678- . 805 North Main, Nephi Custom Buys Used Cars Scooters habitat damage and may Crompton encourages hunters to do some scouting to locate water sources and to evaluate how frequently theyre visited. In general, we expect dry For more information, call o'' Going off road looks like fun but causes considerable is a valuable commodity to deer during the heat of August, he said. Deer typically bed down in shade during the heat of the day, to conserve energy and to digest the food that provide shade. Shade the Central Region office at V' Stewart or near the management objective of 15 bucks per 100 Come in and see our new selections of cars, trucks, SUVs and Scooters. Buy here pay here, credit union and bank loans available. .ft i the roads, reminds hunters. ing to vegetative areas ntrate on d Financing! Wednesday, August 6, 2003 four-whe- Crompton recommends looking for deer where and succulent in the vicin- ity of water. In addition, he suggests using a blind or tree stand to avoid alarming the deer with noisy walking. Put the stand or blind in a closed canopy location, which will be cooler and provide protection from the sun. For more information, call the Southeastern Region office at (435) Southern Region 636-026- Archery deer hunting in the Southern Region may be a little slower than last year, says Lynn Chamberlain, Southern Region conservation outreach manager. The drought that has gripped the state has had a negative effect on deer herds regionwide, he said. Hunt units are down slightly in virtually every category, including bucks per 100 does, fawns per 100 does, and total numbers of deer. However, even with the numbers down slightly, there are still plenty of deer out there to be hunted, Chamberlain said. Theres still green grass in many of the higher elevation areas and thats where many of the deer will be. Hunters can improve their chance for success by hunting near waterways and ponds. With the short supply of drinking water, its unlikely deer will venture very far from these water sources, he said. Chamberlain reminds archers to be careful with fire and to obey all fire restric- tions. For more information, call the Southern Region office at (435) 865-610- to increase administrative DWR checkpoints The Division of Wildlife Resources is planning a large number of administrative checkpoints in southeastern Utah during big game hunting seasons this fall. Since two deer were diagnosed with chronic wasting disease in eastern Utah, biologists and conservation officers want to sample as many harvested animals as possible to determine the presence and extent of the disease. In addition to biological data collection, conservation officers will check compliance with game laws, issue cita- tions and, when necessary, make arrests. Checkpoints will occur along various highways and roads during all hours of the day and night. The public's patience and cooperation is enjoined as the DWR works to accomplish its mission as steward of the states wildlife resources |