Any good moisture so far?

buckhorn · Mar 17, 2020

We had a fun discussion on this topic last year so I thought I would bring it up again this year.
How are things looking for moisture this winter so far?
How has this winter been compared to last winter?

PETA · Mar 17, 2020

Southern Utah I would say it’s been pretty perfect so far. Mild with storms spaced out open southern faces and breaks in between any accumulation. The summer is what broke us last year though no monsoon season whatsoever

buckhorn · Mar 17, 2020

I was down scouting on the Paunsaugunt last year during archery and muzzleloader season and it was very dry and dusty.
My son and I are both in for Pauns. deer this year.

middlefork · Mar 17, 2020

Roughly 100% state wide in Utah. Southern exposures are clear up to 6500 ft or so. If it keeps up should come out ok.

Deerlove · Mar 17, 2020

I think were doing perfect, a lot of bare hillsides in no ut to about 6500 ft.

buckhorn · Mar 17, 2020

I was beginning to worry about it being too dry. Is that not a problem in Utah?
Here in Northwest Nevada we are running way below average on precipitation this year. We did get some good storms over the last few days though that should help.
I was wondering if any of these recent storms made it to Utah?

scopenstalk · Mar 17, 2020

Not to my neck of the woods.... Just super windy. I am up north.

treedagain · Mar 18, 2020

Rain in northern Ut last night

hawkbill · Mar 18, 2020

Up here in the central mountains of Idaho we are around 60% of snow pack. Hopefully we will get a nice wet spring, but it sure is nice to see the wildlife get a break!

buckhorn · Mar 18, 2020

Today is our fourth day in a row with snow/rain. Waking up this morning to light snow. It’s like what winter should be except it’s not too cold. Lows around 30° and highs in the mid 40s.
The forecast is calling for another system to come in around Tuesday.
I hope this weather is coming your way.

elktaker · Mar 18, 2020

Looking decent.

buckhorn · Mar 18, 2020

Nice Graph
Would the Paunsaugunt be considered in the Upper Sevier area?
Or should I figure an average somewhere in between Southwestern and Escalante areas?

elktaker · Mar 20, 2020

I would put it in the upper sevier for most of the summer range.

also these numbers are now higher as of last couple of days. Everything is green or above now and more coming this week.

elkassassin · Mar 20, 2020

NE TARDville got Hit Perty Good the last couple Days!

Too Bad The Deer Herd is P Poor!

Vanilla · Mar 21, 2020

We had a huge year last year due to a VERY wet spring. This year we’re sitting right around 100% normal statewide, which is perfect. As of today, things are looking really good for water.

elkfromabove · Mar 21, 2020

Keep in mind that the snowpack on the hills in the winter means nothing to the sagebrush in the valley in the summer! As of 2018 we were still in a long term drought!

https://wildlife.utah.gov/pdf/range-trends/archive/2018_Southern_Region_Unit_Summary_Report.pdf

buckhorn · Mar 21, 2020

Thanks for the replies.
Hopefully this wet trend will continue and we have a nice moist spring time.
I am concerned with the health of the entire big game herds. Also I am hoping for good antler growth for this year and years to come.

Deerlove · Mar 21, 2020

Utah is crazy remember so Ut had record rain last spring with flooding, then it didn't rain for 3 months.

Vanilla · Mar 21, 2020

Deerlove said:
Utah is crazy remember so Ut had record rain last spring with flooding, then it didn't rain for 3 months.

Yep. A lot of gains made in Feb-May were minimized by a very dry summer. That said, following up last year’s huge year with an average year should have us in very good shape. Our reservoirs should mostly be full, which is a good thing. But we do need more summer rain storms than we got last year, that’s for sure.