Dear Readers:
I've been hunting and guiding the bookcliffs area for about 26 years and hunted with my dad and uncles for many years before that. I was in the bookcliffs most of this season and saw an inordinate amount of mature bucks taken, many of which were much smaller than what I observed the last few years.
Quite frankly, I'm very worried at what happened out there this year. The storms pushed the herd down into the lower country early and hunters literally had a "field day" with respect to the harvest. I didn't see anything resembling a higher trophy class buck taken this year, but I ?heard? there were a few hunters who scored very nice bucks, although only a few.
The buck-to-doe ratio is still fairly strong, but I'm disappointed at the number of quality bucks (170 to 180 class) left after this year's hunt. Many hunters may be satisfied with having more available bucks in the unit, but I know many other hunters are also interested in trophy quality. After talking with the DWR on several occasions, they only want the bookcliffs managed for high buck-to-doe ratios, not trophy quality. The bookcliffs is still in good shape with respect to this management philosophy.
I'm certainly no wildlife expert, but I have many years of observation and experience out there and I'm quite concerned about what happened for those who may want to see more mature bucks. If hunters want a great experience hunting moderate 140 to 160 class mature bucks, then there is no need to reduce tags and manage the bookcliffs any differently.
I know hunters fall on both sides of the spectrum and I'm not arguing one way or another. However, I think hunters need to be aware that if its trophy quality hunters want, the bookcliffs was just set back at least three-to-four years. Either way you may fall with respect to management philosophy, I think attention needs to be drawn to what kind of shape the unit is truly in after this year.
I've been hunting and guiding the bookcliffs area for about 26 years and hunted with my dad and uncles for many years before that. I was in the bookcliffs most of this season and saw an inordinate amount of mature bucks taken, many of which were much smaller than what I observed the last few years.
Quite frankly, I'm very worried at what happened out there this year. The storms pushed the herd down into the lower country early and hunters literally had a "field day" with respect to the harvest. I didn't see anything resembling a higher trophy class buck taken this year, but I ?heard? there were a few hunters who scored very nice bucks, although only a few.
The buck-to-doe ratio is still fairly strong, but I'm disappointed at the number of quality bucks (170 to 180 class) left after this year's hunt. Many hunters may be satisfied with having more available bucks in the unit, but I know many other hunters are also interested in trophy quality. After talking with the DWR on several occasions, they only want the bookcliffs managed for high buck-to-doe ratios, not trophy quality. The bookcliffs is still in good shape with respect to this management philosophy.
I'm certainly no wildlife expert, but I have many years of observation and experience out there and I'm quite concerned about what happened for those who may want to see more mature bucks. If hunters want a great experience hunting moderate 140 to 160 class mature bucks, then there is no need to reduce tags and manage the bookcliffs any differently.
I know hunters fall on both sides of the spectrum and I'm not arguing one way or another. However, I think hunters need to be aware that if its trophy quality hunters want, the bookcliffs was just set back at least three-to-four years. Either way you may fall with respect to management philosophy, I think attention needs to be drawn to what kind of shape the unit is truly in after this year.
