Is it me or is everyone else seeing less deer. I am shocked at the lack of deer I have seen on this unit. Talked with quite a few others and said the same thing. I have gone into a few of my always find deer spots and have only seen a few and these spots usually hold good numbers. Just wonder what others are finding if its the same or if I'm going blind cuz I can't seem to locate the numbers I have seen the previous 2 years thanks for any replies. Maybe the snows last year were that bad!
southern unit deer numbers
- Thread starter HNTNFSH
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soutahhunter
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Dont ask Anis at the DWR he will just tell you they are out their somewhere you just have to look for them. We have been trying to tell them this for years now, but all they want is the revenue. Maybe with the smaller units they will be forced to manage the herds better, only time will tell.
I laugh at this only because I remember when all you Southerners said it was the archery hunters fault for the decending #s on the deer herd, remember you all said that us Northerners come to the South to hunt your big deer, well the truth be known some did some didn't but I hate to tell you its the ENTIRE state that is lacking deer not just the South, you make it sound like its just a Southern issue "well its not".
I predict that with a few years of micro-managing of each deer unit that we will lucky to see a deer so enjoy the good ole days while you can. Look at Wyoming it doesn't work for them and they don't sell 1/2 the tags Utah does?
I predict that with a few years of micro-managing of each deer unit that we will lucky to see a deer so enjoy the good ole days while you can. Look at Wyoming it doesn't work for them and they don't sell 1/2 the tags Utah does?
cannonball
Very Active Member
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An old time neighbor who is out in the southern mountains all the time said it best. Even the cougars are going to starve this winter.
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logandude
Guest
I have noticed a decline the last 3 years. This year the dwr said the deer where still scattered because of the wet spring. I feel it is the increase in cougar population. In the area we hunt we Have seen more and more.
Hey spotit1st I live in northern part of the state and yes I enjoy hunting the south end of the state but I have killed bigger deer up north I was just wondering what others thought that hunt down there I spend time in each region and I will be the 1st to say its tough all over utah not just the southern unit. I have spent more time here lately cuz I had a tag last year and my son has on this year. I ate tag soup last year due to low numbers but my son had same tag last year and he killed is first buck only buck we seen. Utahs deer herds are hurting everywhere I was just looking for some other peoples input who have spent time on the southern unit this summer and during the early hunts and again thanks for any replies just a general thought
during scouting the southern region this year.. (i scouted the entire southern region) i have noticed that the deer numbers are surprisingly low i have had a hard time finding them. in my opinion its a combonation of all of it yes. it is true that the wet spring probably has them a little scattered. and yes i have seen more mountain lions than ever. and everyone knows what that means. but i deffently think that there is a decrease in deer numbers. and i HATE to say it but that dang 8 day rifle hunt isnt going to help much....
keep looking. im tagged out and still know a few areas that have some good bucks that ive been watchin and would love to help a few people out for a general direction to start lookin. good luck,
keep looking. im tagged out and still know a few areas that have some good bucks that ive been watchin and would love to help a few people out for a general direction to start lookin. good luck,
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soutahhunter
Guest
I don't think the southern hunters are saying it is only in the southern region where deer numbers are low. At RAC meetings all over the state it is the same. When hunters will stand up and say you are handing out to many tags for the number of deer we have you know we have a problem. The bigger problem is getting those in charge to admit we have a problem.
Verticalslope
Active Member
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- 264
LAST EDITED ON Oct-05-11 AT 08:14AM (MST)[p]I have spent numerous days on the Pahvant this year since the beginning of the year until now. My own observations are the that the total deer numbers are way down. The post season buck to doe ratios reported by the DWR last year was some where in the ball park of 15:100 (bucks to does). This might be great but I believe there are only 100 does on the unit. While archery hunting we ran into numerous coyotes and a couple lions. This has to have some affect on the population. The water table on the Pahvant this year was at 49.6 inches. This nearly 15" above the average water year on the unit. That being said the few bucks I have seen had phenomenal growth.
The deer continue to dwindle in population. Who knows what the future will hold. Something needs to be done and done quickly. I know that the winter range on the Pahvant is too mature and not producing quality forage. A lot of the old sage brush flats are dying off and no producing. The cliff rose and antelope bitterbrush are starting to comeback but more work needs to be done to help the sage flats for wintering deer.
The deer continue to dwindle in population. Who knows what the future will hold. Something needs to be done and done quickly. I know that the winter range on the Pahvant is too mature and not producing quality forage. A lot of the old sage brush flats are dying off and no producing. The cliff rose and antelope bitterbrush are starting to comeback but more work needs to be done to help the sage flats for wintering deer.
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wkmaster14
Guest
The Southern unit as well as the rest of the state is in bad shape. I had a LE elk tag in central utah and hunted the whole hunt and only saw maybe 10 does and 0 bucks. We also just got back from the Muzz on the southern unit and places where we saw lots of deer the last couple years had no deer at all not even sign of deer. Somthing needs to happen. Saw quite a few lion tracks too.
Zeke
Long Time Member
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I hunted LE elk, with my daughter, on the Wasatch and probably spent over a two dozen days in the mountains. During the whole time we probably spotted 10+/- bucks and 40 does+/-.
Yes, we were looking for elk... in elk country but this has historically been great mule deer country. Pretty slim pickings everywhere for the deer numbers.
We'll be "down south" for the deer rifle hunt this year. If we see a buck we'll probably be forced to leave it for "seed".
Good luck to us all.... and the deer herds.
Zeke
Yes, we were looking for elk... in elk country but this has historically been great mule deer country. Pretty slim pickings everywhere for the deer numbers.
We'll be "down south" for the deer rifle hunt this year. If we see a buck we'll probably be forced to leave it for "seed".
Good luck to us all.... and the deer herds.
Zeke
wileywapati
Very Active Member
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LAST EDITED ON Oct-05-11 AT 02:56PM (MST)[p]HORSESH!T!!!! I hunted NE / Central and saw 4 times the deer I saw last year, don't start lumping the rest of the State in with your Southern Region whining.
2010 TOTALS
P.E.T.A. = 0 HUNTERS GONE
UTAH WILDLIFE BOARD = 13,000 HUNTERS GONE
2010 TOTALS
P.E.T.A. = 0 HUNTERS GONE
UTAH WILDLIFE BOARD = 13,000 HUNTERS GONE
wileywapati
Very Active Member
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ZEKE normally I'd agree but a month from now these same Keele Johnson wanna be's will be in whining to limit tags to 20K
total...
2010 TOTALS
P.E.T.A. = 0 HUNTERS GONE
UTAH WILDLIFE BOARD = 13,000 HUNTERS GONE
total...
2010 TOTALS
P.E.T.A. = 0 HUNTERS GONE
UTAH WILDLIFE BOARD = 13,000 HUNTERS GONE
T
tinenut
Guest
I don't know about other areas of the state, but I will agree the Pahvant is in trouble. It is my back yard, and I have been in the area for over 50 years.I have never seen so few of Deer, I have actually spotted more Lions than Bucks this year.
Zeke
Long Time Member
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- 10,604
>ZEKE normally I'd agree but a
>month from now these same
>Keele Johnson wanna be's will
>be in whining to limit
>tags to 20K
>total...
>
>
>
>2010 TOTALS
>P.E.T.A. = 0 HUNTERS GONE
>UTAH WILDLIFE BOARD = 13,000 HUNTERS
>GONE
You're right...as usual. I think we could be "limiting" ourselves right out of hunting if we're not careful. The deer need some help, in areas, but simple tag # reductions is the most hurtful for the sport AND the animals.
Best, Zeke
>month from now these same
>Keele Johnson wanna be's will
>be in whining to limit
>tags to 20K
>total...
>
>
>
>2010 TOTALS
>P.E.T.A. = 0 HUNTERS GONE
>UTAH WILDLIFE BOARD = 13,000 HUNTERS
>GONE
You're right...as usual. I think we could be "limiting" ourselves right out of hunting if we're not careful. The deer need some help, in areas, but simple tag # reductions is the most hurtful for the sport AND the animals.
Best, Zeke
theox
Very Active Member
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- 2,278
Larrbo dont worry too much there is still deer. been a little tougher than normal this year. I think numbers are decling but I also think its due to the wet year and great feed that we are seeing less deer in certain areas. I think the deer are spread a lot thinner. We have gotten used to seeing a lot of deer clumped together for the last 10 years because drought had been so bad I think they are starting to spread out more and just dont need to concentrate in one area anymore. so it looks less than normal.
Do I think the herd is in trouble YES. But I dont think its quite as bad as it seems
Something definently needs to be done because it will continue to get worse.
Do I think the herd is in trouble YES. But I dont think its quite as bad as it seems
Something definently needs to be done because it will continue to get worse.
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soutahhunter
Guest
From the sounds of Wiley, we should all take a page out of his book and follow him. He is just another one of those guys who does not care about the deer herd, just wants to keep a tag in his hands. Probably the type that will shoot anything with horns.
wileywapati
Very Active Member
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- 1,808
SOTA it's guys like you that don't get it. How has that 5 day hunt worked to help bring back our herds?? How has reducing BUCK tags worked to bring back our herds?? When are guys like you going to stop complaining about something you know nothing about. Cutting permits won't work any more than reducing days afield.
Judas H Priest educate yourself and while you are at it drag 2LUMPY along with you.
2010 TOTALS
P.E.T.A. = 0 HUNTERS GONE
UTAH WILDLIFE BOARD = 13,000 HUNTERS GONE
Judas H Priest educate yourself and while you are at it drag 2LUMPY along with you.
2010 TOTALS
P.E.T.A. = 0 HUNTERS GONE
UTAH WILDLIFE BOARD = 13,000 HUNTERS GONE
M
Muleycrazy124
Guest
WW you need to wake up, the deer numbers in central and northern Utah are not good and they have not gotten any better.
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LOWCOUNTRY
Guest
Permits dont need to be cut any further I think down south we hacked em far enough for now. Ive seen a few good areas and areas that are a disaster as far as herd numbers go I.E. Boulder=piss poor herd numbers and Dutton=piss poor herd numbers. That said Ive seen a boom in the fawn crop on the Zion unit this year a good number of doe's most with at least one fawn many with twins. Ive seen some good bucks on all of the units I hunted its just you dont see 10 in that good honey hole you see none or just a few. If we keep killing the hell out the coyotes, fencing highways, burning the pinions and junipers or chaining/bullhogging em. Get some more re-seeding done in these areas consisting of Bitterbrush and sage (NOT GRASS) I do have some faith it will come back. Its just poor for now.
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soutahhunter
Guest
With the smaller units now would be a good time to put peoples theory to test. Lets be willing to try some things in these units and see what is going to help bring back the deer herd. Maybe we take one unit and put Wiley and everyone else who just wants to hunt in that unit, fill it with hunters and see if it stays the same as the other units that are managed according to bucks in that unit.
I just got done with a nortern CWMU deer hunt and did not see anything worth shooting. Last year I was tripping over nice bucks on my moose hunt. Went back to the same unit this year and only saw a few does and what looked like a jack-a-lope. Not sure what happenned over the last year.
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bigbucksforever
Guest
I am a firm believer in finding what works and repeating it. I grew up during the early 80's on the Pauns and watched it go from very few deer out there, to the best mule deer unit in the world(at one time)in 5 years by not killing the deer. I don't understand how people can arugue with past results. The Henry's, Bumblebee, Book Cliffs etc. They were all brought back from the brink by stopping the slaughter. If we want the deer herd to rebound, and hopefully survive, we need to stop killing them. Maybe close some selected smaller units for a couple of years on a rotating basis. Bottom line is we need to save our deer and history shows us how to do it.
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smashngrab
Guest
There are so many problems with are state to put it all in here, it would require a full novel. But what I have noticed a couple key things in the south where I live. Lion numbers have Sky Rocketed, when they can kill 40 plus lions off from an open unit every year down here lions have got to be one of the keys. Also when a person can illegally snare 30 plus lions off from a unit also in the south and they still don't reduce the tag numbers the next year for that unit leads me to belive there where plenty of extra lions there to. But I have also noticed on the unit I hunt that is that 25 years ago we didn't have an elk on there and now there are a butt load of elk and as that population grew each year the deer numbers dwindled each year. Now with the elk numbers starting to decline a little on some units I hope the deer start to come back.
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SMELLYBUCK
Guest
LAST EDITED ON Oct-10-11 AT 07:44AM (MST)[p]Bumblebee??? What about Browse? What's the problem with the Pauns now?
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SMELLYBUCK
Guest
LAST EDITED ON Oct-10-11 AT 08:02AM (MST)[p]soutahhunter,
I agree with Wiley, and its not just because I want a tag every year. It is because I'm tired of making sacrifices for SFW and extreme trophey hunters without seeing any payback. I'd be happy to hunt less if all the brilliant restrictions worked. Thus far, I haven't seen much improvement in 20 years of continual restrictions.
Do you think if we stayed with a statewide, 10 day rifle hunt, with unlimited tags, things would be much worse? I've drawn 1 southern tag in the past 4 years. Has it helped?
The reality is we had a hard winter 2 years ago. Tag cutting, date cutting, and more units can't fix that. A couple of mild winters and wet springs will.
The DWR hasn't nailed what the problem is. I opposed any more restrictions until they do. The herd was much bigger when there were more hunters and fewer restrictions.
I agree with Wiley, and its not just because I want a tag every year. It is because I'm tired of making sacrifices for SFW and extreme trophey hunters without seeing any payback. I'd be happy to hunt less if all the brilliant restrictions worked. Thus far, I haven't seen much improvement in 20 years of continual restrictions.
Do you think if we stayed with a statewide, 10 day rifle hunt, with unlimited tags, things would be much worse? I've drawn 1 southern tag in the past 4 years. Has it helped?
The reality is we had a hard winter 2 years ago. Tag cutting, date cutting, and more units can't fix that. A couple of mild winters and wet springs will.
The DWR hasn't nailed what the problem is. I opposed any more restrictions until they do. The herd was much bigger when there were more hunters and fewer restrictions.
