Come on, you can't really believe that all bad is because of SFW. That's just foolish.
I agree that when I hear comments like Don's comment about how 100% success might be the way things should be managed, I want to puke, but that's just him. His idea of hunting is far different than myself. That type of management is for high fence operations, not for sportsmen who understand that we can't all be successful every year.
The fact is, SFW is a business that needs to make money to survive. That money comes via conservation tags, antelope island tags, expo tags. It used to come from memberships, but I highly doubt membership dues or even banquet proceeds (minus tag money) is much of anything.
So, to keep the business going, they have to protect what generates them dollars. It's a tough business they're in, because not only are they supposed to do good for wildlife and their members, but also try to keep the business going. Sometimes it doesn't all work out perfectly.
At this point, I think Don is the man when it comes to wildlife in Utah. I would guess that he has "the in" with Wildlife Board members, important people in the division and of course lots of people who appoint board members and who control funds. I think that power gives him a huge advantage over anyone else in this state. I would guess that what most state reps, and US reps in the state know about wildlife is what Don tells them. He's wildlife to those people. So, he has power.
With that power, he can do some real good, or atleast things that some think are "good" and others think are bad. I know of people who think he's putting way too much effort into killing all the wolves, but most of us don't want any of them in Utah. He can't please us all, all of the time.
As I stated, I think Don and SFW do a lot of good, but they also have different views than myself on some issues. I haven't really talked to Don much about this deer thing, but since hearing his statement about 100% success and knowing how much he likes elk rut hunts, I think he would someday like to see far fewer deer tags in Utah and much, much, much better quality. Our elk is what he sees as a huge success.....LOTS of big bulls killed each year, rich guys driving conservation tag prices through the roof at banquets. I believe that is wildlife success to him. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
Right now, I'm a bit afraid of these tag cuts, cause I don't think we're going to see a real big difference and in a few more years, there will be more tag cuts that will try to get pushed through. Too many people see our elk hunting as a monumental success, and I'm sure those folks would love to see the deer the same, because that's success to them. Unfortunately, that means most people only get to hunt once every many, many, many years.
It's like I was telling Don the other night, these tag cuts hurt the little guys, because many average dudes in Utah can't afford to just go to Mexico deer hunting, or Alaska Dall sheep hunting when they don't get a Utah deer tag.....they're left sitting at home reading about other peoples hunts in magazines and on MM.
I think sometimes the guys who get to travel all over hunting different places and different animals forget that there are some people who just can't afford to do that. Many people only get to hunt their home state.
Anyway, I think you're placing too much blame on SFW. I think they mean to do well all the time, in fact, the guys I knew when I was on the board....Bryce, Dave, and many others, were on that board to really try and make a difference and they do try hard. I also think that all the guys on the executive board....Byron, Don, Troy, John, and Ryan also all want to do what's best. The problem is, what they think is best is not always what some of us think is best, and it never will be.
I have to say, sometimes I think there is too much thought put into the money side of things, but SFW is also a business that needs conservation tags, antelope island tags, & expo tags to prosper. Banquets and membership dues might cover overhead, but that's it. The real money is in those tags. So, like many businesses, I'm sure making money is one of the most important things they keep their eye on. They're just in a tough business, cause most of the business is supported by public tags.
Anyway, I've typed long enough. I think you're a bit too harsh on SFW. I think you have exaggerated your comments. I would hope that most who read this are smart enough to atleast appreciate the difficult position that decision makers are in. Heck, just on this site you would have a hard time finding two people who agree on everything. Try pleasing 10,000 members, or 97,000 deer hunters in Utah. Won't happen. All a person can do is the best they can.
Just like this thread, some would say I should have just deleted it, others would say leave it. I made a choice and it won't please everyone.
Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
