Management hunts

nontypical · Mar 12, 2013

I posted this in the Utah forum,but I might get more responses here.

What is you guys' opinion on the Pauns and Henries management deer hunts?How long have they been going on and are they working?Are inferior genetics going away and better genes becoming more prevalent?

Thanks for your responses.

Packout · Mar 13, 2013

There needs to be one understanding about the Utah Management Deer Hunts-- they are not in place to manage antler genetics. Sure, that may be a secondary result.

The primary reason for the management hunts is to lower the buck numbers on a unit without targeting the most desirable antler characteristics (trophy/inches).

These units were carrying too many bucks, which were competing with the doe/fawn population. Hunters were not targeting the 3xs (and many 4xs), so this hunt puts pressure on a resource which was not being utilized. Hunters for the most part are targeting mature bucks and not yearlings.

The hunts have been going for 4 years. The feedback I have received is the hunts have been a success in reducing buck numbers, while providing a positive experience for hunters. As the person who suggested the management hunts while I served on the Deer Committee, I am glad it is working out on those 2 units. Also good to see us working more hunters through a backed-up draw system. Great opportunity for people and benefits the overall herd.

Muley_73 · Mar 13, 2013

Good post Packout. I think they are a great positive for balancing quality and opportunity even on our "premium" units.

I'd personally like to see more of these types of options now that we have smaller units and can be specific with each units management.

nontypical · Mar 13, 2013

Thanks,Packout.I didn't realize that was the reason those hunts were instituted.I suppose over a lengthy period of years,that 3x genetic could possibly show reduced numbers as a side benefit as well.

That's an interesting concept to decrease pressure a bit on the more desirable gene pool bucks while still maintaining the same harvest rate.I also like the fact that it would split applicants into 2 groups,increasing draw odds.

Muley-Has it been suggested to DWR to pursue management tags in other units?

mntman · Mar 13, 2013

Very good explanation PACKOUT!

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?

fishnfool1958 · Mar 13, 2013

I would like to ask what the quality of bucks I can expect to find on pauns management hunt this year. I decided to put in for it this year even though I have 11 bonus points. Largely due to the fact I have had knee replacement surgery as well as an eye desease, and I needed to go while I still can. It would appear I will be an automatic draw this year and I have'nt been down there in a few years. I plan on doing some scouting but in this economy I will be limited. I have killed several bucks of thophy class over the years and I realize a 30 inch 3 point may be a pipe dream, however I'm hoping this is'nt a hunt where 20" 3 points are the rule. Any advise on where I should be setting my expectations? Thanks

TOPGUN · Mar 13, 2013

Guys---What exactly are you limited to or required to shoot to fill that type of tag?

fishnfool1958 · Mar 13, 2013

3 points or less on at least 1 side

Muley_73 · Mar 13, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-13-13 AT 07:01PM (MST)[p]Fishfool,

PM sent

huntinfanatic · Mar 13, 2013

Well said Packout! I got in a bit of a heated debate on here awhile back trying to explain everything you just said. You explained it better than I did.

mntman · Mar 14, 2013

> 3
>points or less on at
>least 1 side

don't forget to add that brow tines don't count towards the "3" points.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?

Zeke · Mar 14, 2013

My hunting buddy's dad killed a great management buck down there 2 years ago and I've seen a couple others killed that are great bucks! I'm talking about 180+ class bucks!
Good luck in the drawings guys!
Zeke

DreamChaser · Mar 15, 2013

Hey fishnfool1958 I have hunted that with my sons for the last 2 years, I can help you with a head start in where to look. send me a cell #
DreamChaser

fishnfool1958 · Mar 15, 2013

Thanks dream chaser My # is Lonnie c-801-819-2111

HunterMan2146 · Mar 15, 2013

I think it's just all the glue sniffing that nontypical likes to do now that he is retired. LOL!!!

Love Ya cliff!!!

antlerrick · Mar 21, 2013

Great concept and great hunt. Have participated in both hunts and both were enjoyable. A 30 inch 170 or better buck is not out of reach. Be patient and look over all you can.

travishunter3006 · Mar 22, 2013

What happens if you shoot a 4X4 with a management tag?

cantkillathing · Mar 24, 2013

I hope that we can do this on LE units soon as well. The san juan elk ridge needs to have managment hunts, there are a lot of big 2 x2 and 2x3 that need to be shot, but nobodoy with the LE tag is going to shoot them.

The results of not shooting them hurts as well, because if you have a high buck to doe ratio then the increase the tag numbers, the quality of the hunt didn't increase it is just that we have a lot of crappy bucks running around that are counted and because they are in the count more tags are drawn.

ZIGGER · Mar 24, 2013

>What happens if you shoot a
>4X4 with a management tag?
>

....break one off before check in.....

When you go swimming in the ocean, it is very cold, and it makes my willy small

sageadvice · Mar 24, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-24-13 AT 11:51AM (MST)[p]Zigger said when asked what to do if shot a 4x4 on a management hunt, "....break one off before check in.....",

Lol, or maybe not lol. Can't say that i'd have thought of that answer, good or bad!

I'm surprised that nobody, excuse me here if i've missed a post here that has, has posted or used this fine opportunity to post some pic's of just how nice a buck "Management Bucks" can be!

Here's my take: When i go hunting bucks in a decent area, blacktail or muleys, i want to believe that the area and i have the potential to take and kill the biggest and baddest buck that anyone has ever seen before, maybe a new record book buck. That's how i roll, always have.

If that ain't happening, plan "b" is to get a big buck that is mature, has a very nice frame with at least two of being heavy, tall, and/or wide. Plan C" would be to just get a mature buck. None of these require a buck being a 4X4 and maybe except for the Record Book part, couldn't be fulfilled with a big ol "Management Buck"! IMO, Decent 4X4 bucks are way over rated here at MM. Big huge Frames, regardless of number of points, are where it's at!

This thread is useless without pic's!!

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

antlerrick · Mar 28, 2013

Here is a picture of a management buck. Probably seen it before but just posted for Sage.

sageadvice · Mar 28, 2013

Antlerrick, That's what i'm talkin bout!! Love the huge frame on that buck. IMO, he's in another league entirely over some 150-160"
3 1/2 year old 4x4. Thanks!!!

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

WillHunt · Apr 16, 2013

I have never killed a mule deer, but hoping to get in the game soon. Had been wondering about these "management hunts" as an option for a while. Utah's website indicates high success rates on these hunts; do you all feel like these are good hunts for someone in my situation who wants a quality DIY hunt for a decent (not trophy by most of your standards) deer? Also, I can't find drawing odds on Utah's site; are they under my nose and I'm missing them - would like to know how long it would take a nonresident to draw. Lastly, what's the best approach for gathering PP in Utah? Apparently you have to have a hunting license to apply for a PP, so I'm guessing the most economical option is to just apply for the draw and get PP for not being selected? If so, what is the cost of this approach? Sorry if some of these questions can be answered via Utah's site - I looked and came up short.

mntman · Apr 16, 2013

Here is the link to the information you need.

http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/guidebooks.html

A summary of what you asked though....It would be a good hunt but it still isn't an "easy" draw for a NR, guessing it will still take 10+ years to draw.

Start applying for hunts, you can still draw with zero points. If you don't want a hunt yet you can apply for just a point if you choose to do that. $65 for 365 days, if you time it right you can skip every other year for the $65. Each species you apply for costs $10 and then if you draw obviously the license cost.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?