DAVIS COUNTY -- While the rest of the state has sold out its buck deer rifle permits for the upcoming hunting season, the Northern Region, which includes Davis County, still has over 13,000 permits available.
And, ironically, the Northern Region is expected to be among the best for hunting conditions in October.
"Good rainfall in the northern half of Utah in the spring of 2003 improved habitat conditions, and that in turn helped the number of fawns per 100 does increase," said Jim Karpowitz, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.
"Fawn to doe ratios in the Northern Region last fall averaged 72 fawns per 100 does. That's a better ratio than Southern Utah, which has been the most popular place for deer hunters to go in recent years."
Hunting should be particularly productive from Brigham City southward, despite heavy snowfall last winter.
"Buck to doe ratios on public land units in the Northern Region also average 15 to 16 bucks per 100 does, which is the same ratio as the popular Southern Region," Karpowitz said.
The main reason most hunters shy away from the Northern Region is the lack of public land, although there are two big ones in the Box Elder and Cache County areas.
"But that's about it," Karpowitz said.
"Hunters should see more yearling bucks on those units, though, and we hope hunters have a great time hunting those units this year."
For more information, call the DWR's Northern Region office at 1-801-476-2740.