In the Ochoco Unit, the department classified 987 in one representative geographic area and calculated ratios of 16 bucks and 70 fawns per 100 does.

The Paulina Unit is managed for access and hunting success, not necessarily for trophy bucks -- but there are some to be found. Last season, one of the best bucks taken in Oregon came from the Paulina Unit. Matt Owens, 17, scouted all summer, and his time in the field paid off on opening day with a 35-inch 4-pointer.

Last year's fawn crop was high, and survival was good going into the winter, at 72 fawns per 100 does. Biologist Corey Heath said that these deer were "some of the fattest I've seen. They went into winter in incredible shape." The Paulina will likely be one of the most productive hunts again this year.

Things are looking up in the Metolius Unit. Measures that ODFW took in the last few years to control poaching seem to be working. This unit is managed for trophy potential, and buck ratios are now up to 25 bucks per 100 does. Going into winter, biologists counted 74 fawns per 100 does.

In the Upper Deschutes, buck ratios are at 23:100. In the southern portion of the unit, interestingly, there seem to be more bucks per does than on the north side. Going into winter, fawn numbers were close to average at 59:100.

Going into winter, fawn numbers in the Wagontire Unit were high, with an average of 83:100. Buck-to-doe ratios are near management objectives.

The Fort Rock Unit should be a good bet again this year. Buck ratios are at 20:100, and the fawn count also came in at over 80:100.

This year, hunters in the Beulah, Owyhee and Whitehorse should see good numbers of yearling bucks. Walt Van Dyke, the district wildlife biologist, said that coming out of last season, his units met all the buck escapement goals and went into winter with one of the best fawn ratios he'd ever seen. "The last two years have been pretty good for deer," Van Dyke said. "We've had good green-up in the fall, and most of our winter ranges have stayed open."

Take a scouting trip, Van Dyke advises. "Desert hunting is different than timber hunting. You have to have good optics and take the time to learn how to use them. Find the buck, bed him down and then figure out how to get in on him and kill him."

The deer are there. You just have to have the patience to find them. "I have people, especially from the Whitehorse Unit, call me on their cell phones and want to know where all the deer are," Van Dyke said, with a laugh. There is no substitute for scouting.

Craig Foster, district wildlife biologist for the Lake and Klamath districts, saw what he called some of the best fawn ratios in years, going into winter. "We had a high precipitation year, but not a hard winter," he said.

With the exception of the North Warner area, buck ratios are at or above management objectives from Keno to Beattys Butte and from Fort Rock to Interstate, though deer numbers are down in some of his units. "We're up to 18 bucks per 100 does in the North Warner," Foster said. This hunt is managed for trophy-class bucks, but you'll look long and hard before you find one.