It’s hard to believe but this Saturday begins the hunting season for 2012 in Utah.  The archers are going to be out and about looking for that trophy buck.  This is the first year and the first season for the 30 unit hunting as proposed and adopted by the Wildlife Board in an effort to help our deer herds grow.  Will it actually help the herds grow?  That’s pretty much anyones guess right now.  My vote is no.

At any rate we have it and it will be with us probably the rest of our lives so we need to make the best of it.

The DWR recently posted their best guess’ on each of the 30 units and for most of you reading this I believe you will be hunting in Unit 2.  My tag is for Unit 2 and several of my friends also hold tags for that unit.  So, I extracted the wise words of the DWR for that unit and have included it here.

Unit 2 – Cache, and Unit 3 – Ogden

This summer has been drier than normal on both of these units. Expect to find animals concentrated around water sources. Plenty of fawns survived this past winter, so more yearling bucks should be available to hunters this fall. Deer are using summer ranges in areas with mixed conifer. Look for bucks in the mornings and evenings as they move from open meadows and hillsides to areas with cover. To find success this fall, you need to scout and look for deer around water sources.

The overall number of deer on each unit is still below population objectives. Expect the hunt on each unit to be similar to the last few years. Also, please remember that the Ogden unit has large blocks of private property. Don’t wait until the season starts to get written permission to hunt on private property; get that permission now.

Please remember that you may hunt only in the unit you drew a permit for.

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So let’s recap.  Lots of deer survived the mild winter.  Lots of small bucks can be found.  The herd is below population objectives.

Now toss in a $5 bill for the big buck contest.  But, because you are a concerned hunter and wish to see the deer herd grow, you will pass on any buck that isn’t at least carrying one antler that has 4 points on it.  You will also remove yourself from the vehicle and hike a minimum of 4 miles into the woods to find this animal (be careful about the distance you travel because you might cross into another unit and be poaching).  You will only drink beer while in camp and your weapon has been put away.  You will only take shots if the animal is standing broadside and less than 40 yards from you.

AHHH!  The hunter/sportsman code of ethics.  We need this for the good of the deer herd.  If you do your part and follow these rules, well, what can I say?  I will win the big buck contest, because I will have the only buck on the meat pole!

On a side note, from very reliable sources and some personal views, the small bucks have grown some substantial antlers.  The two point I saw a week or so ago was sporting antlers at least 12 inches tall.  My other source has likewise reported tall antlers on most of the bucks he has seen.

Let me remind you:  “Don’t shoot at the antlers”!  There I have said it for the first time this season.  Trust me, you will hear it again.

Bears Butt

August 15, 2012