Northern Region Elk soon to be Like the deer NONE

[hunter567]

I have a beef with the Division. I just want to voice my opinion again and get some imput back from those on Monster Muleys.

I have been feeding elk all winter long. There are about 74 bulls and 74 cows in the group. Not nearly as many cows as a few years ago. There is no doubt in my mind that the total number of elk on the North and South Cache has dropped the past couple of years. We (the division) currently manages elk for an age class. They manage deer for a buck to doe ratio. This is what determines the number of hunting permits available for Elk and Deer. Both Elk and Deer numbers are below total herd objectives. Why are they still issuing cow elk permits? If we continue to kill cow elk 5 years from now the elk herds will be just like our deer herds. We are seeing the effect on the North and South Cache already. The division doesn't care about total number of animals (or they would quit selling cow elk permits) as long as there buck to doe ratios and age class of bulls killed is where they are supposed to be they can sell all the permits they want. Then we will be going up into the hills to hunt animals that won't be there. I fear for the future of the elk.

 

[MEEW]

I feel for ya. They are doing the same crap on the S.W. Desert. They upped the tags so much this year (they are killing roughly 84 bulls) on the unit and with the 200ish cow tags, I don't think that there is going to be much left. Oh yeah, and the reason for the big increase is because the division says that the average age of the bulls killed were 8.8....what a crock LE Utah elk is not going to be worth the paper the tag comes on....

 

[tincup]

Heh heh heh,
I wonder how many out of state hunters feel your pain. NOT.
Heh, Heh, Heh.

 

[Ungulate]

I just thought that I would offer my perspective. From what I have personally observed the herd is actually doing better than I have seen in years past. I have property that is higher than yours and I have observed several hundreds of head of elk. On one specific hill side I have been able to count over 300 head of elk with only 1 herd bull (a giant) and several spikes and yearlings and the rest cows.

Perhaps the DNR is purposely managing the elk herd to eliminate the herd inhabiting the location where you are currently feeding them in order to relieve them from their human dependence. Utah's elk herd is currently on the rise and it is rapidly expanding. Areas like the Millville face and Providence are crucial mule deer wintering grounds because they are browsers rather than grazers. While elk and deer do not compete for the same food source the deer are still in a critical condition and need more isolation in the winter months.

 

[SHEDANTLERMAN]

I went on one of the norths cow elk hunts and it was amazingly easy... youtube.com - "ben elk hunt utah"... We found several elk right off the highway 200yrds. However there in other units there were none to be found. I think that your right and they need to reduce these cow elk numbers or even stop the hunts.. we managed to push and make several deer run while hunting these elk... isnt that the reason they dont want us to look for antlers now? Dur dur dur dur

 

[SMELLYBUCK]

567

Supposedly they freed up some spike tags this year and will leave more cows alone in exchange. It seems the division is also concerned about the population being so heavy on bulls. Wait and see I guess.

 

[hunter567]

They already hunt spikes on both the North and South Cache and have done for at least the last 8 years. They also now hunt cows during the regular season plus all the late hunts available.

 

[hunter567]

I agree with you there. The division needs to figure out how to manage for the total number of elk/deer. Age objectives and buck to doe ratios don't mean anything when there are fewer animals to hunt.

 

[hunter567]

Places like the Millville face will never be good for deer habitat. There is no water source. Every time the Division has tried to plant bitterbrush and reseed fire areas it has failed. If we want good mule deer hunting on the North and South Cache a feeding program has to implemented. There is no winter range left in cache valley the deer have no where to go and if the herd starts to rebound we have a bad winter and loose 50% of the herd again. Killing the elk is not the answer in my opinion. I was at the meeting on the millville face with the division. I specifically asked if there was enough habitat on the face right now to sustain the number of deer we currently have. NO was the answer. We are way below objective for deer and are still below objectives for elk. Division policies need to be changed so they can implement feeding areas without it being against their policy.