Deer units in Utah

[headshot1]

I don't know how everybody feels about this but i think that Utah needs to change it's deer units to be more like Colorado...
Make a lot more smaller units, limit the number of tags for some of the units, and even close down some of the units in the northeastern region for a few years..the deer numbers have been way down in the northeastern region since the really bad winter a few years ago...and i think it would make it easier for people to draw out for units with a chance of killing better bucks all over with some better management

 

[bigfoot llamas]

I dont know what can or if anything will ever be done but as of this year I have sworn off Fishlake. I have never seen it worse. It has been hard to watch over the years having grown up there but whats done is done and I dont see it getting any better or anyone doing anything about it.

 

[highcountryfever]

 

[BrowningRage]

HCF- Did you just club a protected species...??? LOL

I think there are a few areas in Utah that should be micromanaged, those with very low deer numbers and low buck to doe ratios (obviously)... Northern Cache for example should probably be SHUT DOWN to deer hunting for a few years...

Micromanage the subunits as needed, but we don't need to permanently separate them from the larger units they are a part of. Once that happens, everyone will have to put in for very specific units and that would really suck.


"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24

 

[tabbyhntr]

You want some units closed down and expect it to be easier for people to draw??? Lol that's funny!!!

I do agree alot of units news to be micromanaged but mainframe it like Colorado exactly like Colorado wont work in Utah because a good portion of the state is virtually unhuntable because of habitat... if it went to micro managing it would make it alot harder to get tags because the most popular spots would have fewer tags and people would want those areas. Most people would end up with leftovers... but hey That's Just my. 02

 

[Cass]

They need to go like Nevada has it. With the potential that utah has to produce insane deer / elk, it really needs to adopt a system like Nevada has. But it won't happen, utah is all about getting the dollar, who cares about the animals.



-Cass

 

[Zeke]

I would like to see a little more management as well but once changed it's hard to go back to how it was.

The F&G folks are trying a few things with the hope that it keeps the money coming in to them and increase the herds.

Eventually we will all need to tighten our belts and hunt every 2 or 3 years or have limited tags or limited units (more so than currently) or forget about the deer hunt.

ALL this will make it HARDER to draw/buy a deer tag not easier but it will bring some quality and quantity back to our deer.

I say jack up the price (to keep the fish cops happy)and limit everyone to a deer every 2 or 3 years = fewer hunting pressure, better hunt, more animals. The down side is you would only get to hunt big bucks 3 or 4 times in 10 years (instead of almost never like currently possible).

I don't have all the answers, only my little opinion!

Zeke

 

[rsjones65]

COUPLE THINGS NEED TO CHANGE, JACKUP THE PRICE, REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TAGS, ADD ANOTHER SEASON TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU RUN INTO WHILE HUNTING AND GIVE HUNTERS AN INCENTIVE TO KILL A BIGGER BUCK, LIKE REINSTATE THERE BONUS POINTS IF THEY HARVEST A BUCK THAT IS A 4 POINT AND AT LEAST 20" WIDE. IT MAKES ME SICK TO SEE PEOPLE KILL 80 LB SPIKES "BECAUSE THEY NEED THE MEAT" . THIS SHOULD BE DONE FOR THE GENERAL SEASONS ONLY

 

[Flint]

As long as the overall population is properly managed, it shouldn't matter if a hunter kills a yearling spike or a 6-year-old four point. If my primary objective for a hunt is meat, I'd much rather kill a young buck.

I get a little frustrated by people who look down their noses at anyone who kills a deer or elk that doesn't have a high-scoring rack.

If someone wants to live days above the treeline and only shoot record book bucks, that's great. If someone else wants to shoot a two-point out of an orchard, that is okay, too. As long as the hunter in each case obeys the law, is happy and enjoys the experience, who are we to decide which is the more worthy hunter?

 

[rsjones65]

THAT IS WHY I MENTION THE INCENTIVE TO SHOOT A LARGER BUCK. I PERSONALLY DONT CARE IF YOUR LOOKING FOR MEAT OR A TROPHY. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE MORE BIGGER BUCKS AND LESS PEOPLE

 

[Deuce]

We would all like to see more and bigger bucks but, re-instating bonus points, are you crazy? We need to burn through some of those points, so other people get a chance at some of the better tags. Otherwise the same people get the same tag year after year. BTW you do realize others have been banned for all caps, right?

 

[headshot1]

I'm not just saying that the state needs to have better management to get bigger bucks...with better management there will be more bucks period...then everybody will be happy. those who want to shoot for just the meat or those who want to hunt for a trophy. and if it comes down to having to close some of the state down for a few years to do it, so be it. i know i would sacrifice a few years of deer hunting just to see the herds come back to where they were a decade ago