I think that Prism nailed it. At the end of their hunt when they haven't found a monster, lots of hunters would rather shoot a young 4 point than an old management buck. There are lots and lots of bucks out there, but there just don't seem to be many "big bucks". I know several people that have shot 5.5 year old deer out there that only scored 140. Age isn't the best predictor of B&C score.
I also think that the 3 point or better years were really hard on that deer herd. Lots of sportsmen like the point restrictions, but I think they wreak havoc on genetics and age classes. If there are any yearlings that are 3 points they get shot, while the yearling spikes and 2 points are left alone. And, for a wile out there, those were the only bucks that made it through the hunts. I think that multiple years of 3 point or better can have a big negative impact on antler genetics, especially when the pressure is as intense as it was on the Book Cliffs before they closed it. The buck to doe ratio was in the low single digits, that is how hard those deer were being hunted. Only the smallest of the youngest, and the inferior mature bucks were left to do the breeding.
I also think the timing of the rifle hunt out there makes bigger bucks more vulnerable. Those deer migrate off their summer range and are on pretty much on the winter range when the rifle hunt starts. They are easy to get to, way accessible with roads everywhere, and to top it off they start checking does earlier than bucks in other areas in the state. I think that an earlier rifle hunt would help (can't do that now due to the statewide spike elk hunt).
More archery and muzz hunts vs. increasing rifle tags could help big bucks survive. The success rates are high for all weapon types, but I think the big bucks are harder for people to stumble into on the archery and muzz hunts vs. the rifle hunt. I would say that trophy potential is highest for the hard core hunter on the early primitive weapon hunts, and highest for the casual hunter on the rifle hunt.
I also like the idea of a management hunt out there. The buck to doe ratio is high, probably in 40's, and so the DWR has to increase permits to follow the management plan that calls for 25-35 bucks per 100 does.
It is a fun hunt, and there is potential to shoot a nice buck, but if you go expecting to see 30" bucks or multiple bucks that score 180+ you will most likely be disappointed. I am sure that somebody's cousins friends roommate has video of "6 different 40 inchers running together from last winter", but my opinion is that truly big bucks are really hard to find out there.
Just my personal take and opinion on things as a deer hunter who gets to spend some time out there for work.
Dax
