Southern Utah Deer?

Whats the deal with Southern Utah's general deer? How has everyone faired so far? Just been browsing to see what has been shot. I haven't hunted the general deer since 07. I shot a decent 4x4 but havent been back since. I have been putting in for preference points but have not been wanting to draw being that the deer herds seem to be down. I couple of buddies want to apply next year so I was wondering if it would be worth it? My dad used to hunt Fishlake area around Hilgard when I was younger but hasn't been back in years. I have hunted that area for cow elk and have seen bucks but that was during the rut.
2,828
NotEnufTags
The area we hunt on the fishlake national forest is way down for big bucks. Back about 8-9 years ago there was a big winter storm on the opener. The particular herd we hunt got slaughtered when they were pushed down low. There were two points down ther on our muzzle loader hunt, but not one shooter in 4 days was seen. hope those two points can live for a few years and get the herd back to what it used to be.

There has been a steady decrease in buck #'s on the mountain we hunt for the last several years. I can't speak to your particular spot.
2
Default Avatar
Yea the #'s definitely aren't what they used to be. I can remember going with my Dad when I was too young to hunt back in the mid 80's and seeing herds of deer. I am talking 50-75 deer in a group. Now would be lucky to see 10 in a group. I only saw 2 or 3 small deer taken during the 5 day season in 07. I spotted a good amount of deer from a few canyons away feeding with the one I shot. I had never hunted the area and had to figure out how to get to them. Ended up having to hike in a couple of miles to get to them. Which was probably why I was able to harvest as most everyone else that I saw were sticking to the roads.
2
MuleyMadness
Been a slow year from what I've heard so far, deer are difficult to find and seem to be more scattered. Numbers are down in some areas, seem to be okay in others. Archery hunt was hit and miss. Muzzleloader seemed down overall for sure.

Don't know about the Fishlake area, but been an odd year it seems. :-k
2
Default Avatar
Increasing the hunt from the 5 day hunt took a tremendous hit on the Southern Region deer herd last year IMO.... I saw big bucks being harvested everyday last year. Harvest them all one year, not as many deer the next!!! The deer herd was finally looking good again after a few years of the 5 day hunt, I have saw basically nothing this year compared to other years..
2