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Show Deer hunt prospects bright in recent years, although some winter loss was reported in the Currant Creek and Avintaquin areas.' The deer are in excellent condition due to good forage production and water availability, but they are scattered. Road access for most of the region is good. This year's general season deer hunt, slated for Oct. 22 through Nov.' 1, should be a good one. Division of Wildlife Resources regional big game managers say most deer herds wintered well, with populations generally up statewide. ? Veteran observers say deer hunters may have to work harder lor their bucks this year because an abundance of., water t (and the resulting" heavy cover) - have scattered the deer and made them tougher to spot. But'- most deer hunters, primed for the annual outing and encouraged by increasing in-creasing deer numbers, aren't complaining. Northern Regional Game Manager John Kimball says he expects deer hunting to be "very good" in his area this year. He says archery hunters last August reported seeing good numbers of deer throughout the region, especially yearling bucks. "Deer have been spotted at all elevations this fall, probably due to good forage and water availability which tend to scatter the herds," says Kimball. Kimball adds public hunting areas of the Box Elder, North Cache and North Rich areas look "real good." Road access is reported as good in all areas. In central Utah, Regional Game Manager Jordan Pederson reports the South Nebo and the west slope of Manti range should offer good ker hunting. According to Pederson, deer populations are up Y on the West Desert units (Heaston, Stansbury, Vernon and Tintic) and hunting there should be good. "Hunters may want to consider hunting these units to avoid the congested "Wasatch Front." Some minor losses were reported on the North Nebo, Diamond Fork, Hobble Creek, Timpanogos and Salt Lake herd units, where heavy spring snowstorms took their toll. Pederson- says many - backcountry roads are washed out in the Manti-LaSal Manti-LaSal mountains. He advises hunters to contact the Forest Service for current road conditions before going afield. Deer hunting prospects seem to - be bright in southern Utah as well, where regional game managers predict good hunting throughout the area. They say the East Zion and South Boulder units may be problem areas, as well as the Parowan face, where some winter loss was noted. Road access should be good in most areas. Reports from the southeastern portion of the state indicate a fair to good hunt there. Winter losses on the east slope of the Manti range and limited access due to washed out roads may result in a somewhat decreased harvest there, but improved im-proved hunting on other units in the area should offset any decline. Northeastern Utah big game managers predict a very good hunt this year. They say the deer herds ' there have been steadily increasing |