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Show peer Hunt predicted To Be Good "Southern Utah deer hunting looks to be good this year," said Panguitch Conservation Officer Norman McKee. "Last winter was mild, and the deer have done well this summer. In many areas the base population is at or near the carrying capacity of the range." Weather conditions really frus-trated frus-trated elk hunters the past two weeks," McKee said. "Warm, dry weather with full moonlit nights made finding elk in open areas during dur-ing daylight hours almost impossible. In addition, leaves and twigs were so dry that trying to stalk the elk also proved nearly impossible. All in all, 1987 will be remembered as one of the slowest slow-est elk hunts in recent years. However How-ever this may be a boon to next years hunt with many bulls still left in the hills." "Deer hunting, however, should improve because of the rain this week. Of course, the mud will cause some problems, but the forecast fore-cast is for cool dry weather for Saturday's Sat-urday's opener," the wildlife officer noted. McKee gives some suggestions on locating the most deer. "Deer have started moving down from the highest elevations. The majority of the deer are feeding in the mixed forest type, ie, the aspen-sage-oak-mahogany zone. The deer are feeding feed-ing mostly on brush plants, and are I only using thick conifer areas when spooked into cover. The moon will be mostly in the dark phase so deer will be feeding in early morning and late evening. McKee suggested hunters use binoculars to glass the . "Pen areas that have protective cover nearby. He said that rifle scopes are not good for scanning or locating. "Under no circumstances should a rifle scope be used to view another hunter," he warned. Local hunters are reminded that deer license sales close on Friday, Oct. 16. "A real problem has developed de-veloped where some corrupt hunters shoot a deer on opening, then have a relative or friend buy a license then tag the deer. The hunter-poacher hunter-poacher can then continue to hunt with his tag intact. We want to stop this practice," said McKee. "We would also really like to see the practice of party hunting stopped. Many hunters express to me their concerns about not enough large bucks in the herds. Yet every year, many deer hunters are happy to shoot every buck that comes by, trying to fill all tags in the party. (See DEER HUNT Page 4) Deer Hunt on A lot of small bucks are shot and tagged that normally would be left for another year if every hunter only shot and tagged his own deer. The party hunting practice not only shows the greed of some hunters, but it's also illegal and detrimental to our game herds." Wildlife officers will be out in force during the hunt watching for violations. Several laws McKee reminds hunters to observe are: properly tag your deer immediately at the time and place of harvest; each hunter must transport his own deer, evidence of natural sex of the animal must be left attached to the carcass during transportation; continuing con-tinuing to hunt with a used tag is unlawful; no hunter may lend his license or possess another persons license while hunting; spotlighting is not allowed in Utah at any time of the year while in possession of a firearm; shooting from roadsi , highways is prohibited; trespta ; on private lands could real j prosecution and revocation if J cense; also littering (incla leaving fire pit garbage) is po j ited. i f McKee also reminds hi that officers will also be ota ! other state and federal laws sod drivers licenses, open contain alcohol in vehicles, registered j road vehicles, restricted roil: suxes, and firewood permits. Every year, deer and el accidentally shot Many are If i spoil. McKee again reminds k j sportsmen to admit a mistake happens. Clean the animal c contact an officer. The coot very lenient to the honest k p who makes a mistake. Keep! ' ( conscience clear. Don't tie ii j season poacher." fi |