Utah Changes - Another Idea

[thebuckstopshere]

Its good to see major traffic on the MM mule deer forum. I like many of the Utah Changes Posts, and many good ideas and input, but change happens slowly at the DWR.

Here is my .02 on change that could make a difference:

No more OTC tags.

If the DWR is moving to more general units that are smaller in size, they need to allocate a specific number of tags for each unit, each weapon. Then, have the draw - AND NO OVER-THE-COUNTER sales of un-drawn tags. This will force people to apply where they want to hunt, and for the weapon they want to use. There were 9000 undrawn Northern tags this year . . . they will sell out. It would only take two years and there would be no leftover tags if the DWR went this route - because people would adjust how they apply. People would actually put second and third choice units on their app.

But, as is, people apply for the harder to draw general units, then they just buy their OTC tag if unsucc.

 

[thebuckstopshere]

And just another thought, for those that have a harder time realizing why no more OTC tags is a good thing if after a few years all the tags get drawn anyhow, because it keeps people from amassing preference points in harder to draw units, but still buying an OTC tag. Creates more opportunity for everyone in the long run.

 

[NVdrhntr]

didn't know you could keep your pref. point if you bought an over the counter left over tag.
that rule should definitely be changed.

 

[nochawk]

It is a pretty good idea. I for one never apply for a deer tag, just pick up my archery tag after june 12.

I like to see what tags I draw in other states first and then fill in with either a Ut archery deer tag or a Idaho tag.

This year I have been pulling elk tags so I am not hunting deer antwhere.

 

[bragabit]

I agree 100% Do not sell the leftover tags! If Utah did not sell those 9000 Northern region tags and the 6000 archery tags that were left over it would only benifit the deer herd.

 

[proutdoors]

>I agree 100% Do not
>sell the leftover tags!
>If Utah did not sell
>those 9000 Northern region tags
>and the 6000 archery tags
>that were left over it
>would only benifit the deer
>herd.

How would it benefit the deer herd? Are does not getting breed due to low buck numbers? If not, then killing fewer bucks does NOTHING for herd health. But, it would lower opportunity AND revenue, both of which bode poorly for the long term health of the deer and the deer hunters.

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.

 

[High_Wide_n_Heavy]

>Its good to see major traffic
>on the MM mule deer
>forum. I like many
>of the Utah Changes Posts,
>and many good ideas and
>input, but change happens slowly
>at the DWR.
>
>Here is my .02 on change
>that could make a difference:
>
>
>No more OTC tags.
>
>If the DWR is moving to
>more general units that are
>smaller in size, they need
>to allocate a specific number
>of tags for each unit,
>each weapon. Then, have
>the draw - AND NO
>OVER-THE-COUNTER sales of un-drawn tags.
> This will force people
>to apply where they want
>to hunt, and for the
>weapon they want to use.
> There were 9000 undrawn
>Northern tags this year .
>. . they will sell
>out. It would only
>take two years and there
>would be no leftover tags
>if the DWR went this
>route - because people would
>adjust how they apply.
>People would actually put second
>and third choice units on
>their app.
>
>But, as is, people apply for
>the harder to draw general
>units, then they just buy
>their OTC tag if unsucc.
>


So it sounds to me like if you wanted to draw say the Henrys deer tag, you wouldn't have an opportunity to hunt deer until you drew that tag... The one thing I DO like about Utah is that I can put in for a good tag like that, but still hunt deer while waiting my 15 years to get a good tag... You're hoping that it would force some of the applications out of the pool for the hard to draw tags? Am I getting this right? Enlighten me...

 

[alpinebowman]

It never surprises me how many people want utahns to only be able to hunt big game once every 5-15 years so we can get some big critters. Don't get me wrong I want to kill the biggest critter on the hill but if I can't get out there and at least chase something every year I am going to have a hard time getting exited for the hunt. I really want to start out of state hunting more but I don't want to have to every year just because I can't get a tag in utah. and don't say I have all of these other critters to hunt because duck hunting cost more than my archery hunting for gear. upland hunting is about non-existant in this state and it takes you 6 years to draw a bear or cougar tag. So don't go and tell me that just get your fix on jack rabbits while you wait for 5 years for your archery deer tag. What a bunch of BS. all of you rifle hunters that think the archers have it good pick up a bow and jump in with the rest of the flippers. Then if you want to get out with the family on the rifle hunt to hang out. With the way you guys are making it it will soon become only a camping trip because no one will draw.

And for all of you micro manage people what the hell is that going to do if they keep the tag #'s the same because that is what they are going to do. So this will do nothing for over crowding because if there are a large number of deer in one of these units guess where a lot to the tags are going. and the the areas with few tags wont be good units they will be units with fewer deer. So please let me know what this will help.

And you guys complain that people move across a large area of the unit to find deer. I would venture a guess that most people hunt where they have hunted for 20 years +.

okay that is my $.02 on the subject. let the heckling begin.

alpinebowman

>>>---shots that are true pass right through--->

National guard archery staff shooter

 

[thebuckstopshere]

A few more thoughts:

PRO - I understand that this year if the DWR did not sell OTC tags there would be a downfall in revenue. I guarantee that in a year or two people would adjust how they apply and there would not be any left over tags. Archers would all start applying for archery. As is right now, plenty of potential archers apply for the general rifle/muzz tag and then purchase their archery tag after they don't draw a general tag. Yes, Utah does have general units that take a few years to draw, and it will only get worse with smaller units. My proposal would ease some of this "backlog" and would actually free up opportunity in the long run.

Alpine - I am only talking general. There are two draws in Utah, a LE draw, and a general draw. I am not talking at all about the LE draw. I am talking about preference points. I am talking about how when the DWR puts 5,000 tags into a new smaller unit they create somewhere in Utah, and 20,000 people apply for that unit, its going to take four years for some to draw.

 

[Deerlove]

Pro why is it that Co issued 30k less tags this year because of winter kill and Utah issued 1k less??? No Utah got hammered and they adjust only a 1000 tags?

 

[alpinebowman]

with your plan I still think it will screw it up more. So what gun hunters get that archery tag after they don't draw I would be willing to guess that helps the deer more than applying only for an archery tag. This is the guy that only half a$$'s it on the hunt for a few days and most likely won't see or get a deer. If you make that guy apply for the hunt he will be more concerned about the hunt and most likely be more successful IMO. In your plan do you have more than one option to put down or do you have to say southern unit or nothing. if not than people will just fill all available options and will eventually get a tag somewhere down the line.

alpinebowman

>>>---shots that are true pass right through--->

National guard archery staff shooter