SE Utah hunt 988 General Buck Tag

Hey guys,
I'm new to the forum here and it looks like a great one. I live in Coeur d' Alene, Id and have drawn a general rifle buck tag for hunt number 988 in SE Utah. I drew it with three points, is this about the normal number to get this tag? And for you guys that have drawn this unit before...how is it? What should I do to prepare for this type of hunt. I have hunted mule deer all over SE Idaho but assume the terrain is different down in Utah. Is it mostly high desert down there? I do mostly spot and stalk hunting, finding that the most effective. Any biologists or game wardens ect. you guys could recommend I talk to for some information as where to get started?
Big Thanks,
-Grenda-
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Happy to help on this. I've hunted west of Ferron in the Manti La Sal Forest a number of times. Its a big area, lots of truck hunters, but you can get some decent hiking into higher elevations. Get up into the hills above Ferron Reservoir, Duck Fork reservoir, and In the flats and ridges near Heliotrope point. Hike out into the flats NE of the Dairy trail along the access road coming up from Millsite Reservoir. Very pretty area, but to be honest, have never seen big deer come out of there. Lots of open space, but lots of people too.

You can also get up into the high country W of Emery. Be careful going up the access road if its wet/snowing. It will leave brown spots on your seat. Be prepared for snow and mud, and chaining all four wheels is very useful.

I've also desert hunted in the areas east of Ferron, but it just a lot of driving, little sign and the locals pretty much have any atypical and solitary desert mulies already dialed in and taken.

Good luck and post your results!
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Hey thanks for all the info. Bummer there are not a lot of big bucks around that area. Besides lookin on google earth the best that I can, how can I obtain a map of the entire area the hunt encompasses? Any good references on whom to speak to at the DNR. I am currently working at a fishing lodge in Alaska but will definently be doing a scouting trip before the hunt starts. A long ways from northern Idaho, but I want to be prepared the best I can. Any good places that I can order maps for this hunt that you know of?
Thanks again,
Grenda
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The Southeast region is huge. I wouldn't worry about getting detailed maps of the whole unit - I'd decide which area you want to focus on and then get some maps. The only area I'm familiar with down there is the "Skyline Drive". That's a gravel road that parallels US-89 east of Fairview and Manti. Lots of hunters anywhere there is a road, but there are decent numbers of deer too. My only advice would be to find an area that's not accessible by road and hike in 2-3 miles at least. You can luck onto younger deer and the occasional 4 point if you hunt with the masses though.
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Most of your decent bucks are going to be on skyline drive between hwy 6 and ferron, however that is where everyone hunts. I live in this unit and as bad as i hate to say it, this is the worst i have ever seen the deer herd. I have seen a few decent bucks scouting but the numbers are way down from previous years. Good luck and i hope you have a fun hunt
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