Bull Cow ratio

R

Russ

Guest
I have a theory that makes no sense, but there is something to it, let me know what you think. Some of these units in Utah have a 1-1 or close to it bull cow ratio. I cannot beleive this is good for the herd. My theory is these units that are spike only right know,or have lower age class objectives are killing bigger bulls than the 7-8 class units. Arizona kills huge bulls, and they have 300 or more bull tags a year. There is something to the fact that bulls get bigger if there are not as many of them. I am not saying there should only be 2-3 bulls on a unit, but you look at south west desert, monroe panguitch lake pahvant, and they are not doing as well or better in my mind as Dutton boulder, manti, Beaver, and I am sure other units that I am not aware of. I think there are 2 many bulls on some of these units and it is hurting the herd. I hunted one of these 7-8 year old units thsi year, lots of goood busted bulls, not herded up because there are to many bulls trying to take there cows away and they can't take care of them. Am I up in the night?? or is there really something to this??
 
AZ TAGS 2004,

220 EARLY BULL RIFLE
123 EARLY BULL MUZZY

41 ADDITIONAL EARLY RIFLE/ MUZZY TAGS ISSUED THIS YEAR DUE TO THE USO PLAGUE.
 
I think the single most important thing to growing big elk is age. After they reach the age of 5 1/2 - 6 1/2 , genetics and nutrition play the next biggest role to growing gigantic antlers. I don't think the bull to cow ratio has anything to do with it other than busting up antlers because of the competition during the rut. Could a lack of nutrition or genetics be a factor? I assume with a 1:1 ratio they have to be reaching prime age.
 
Arizona has 8500 bull elk permits each year. Those are spread over all the seasons, all the units and all weapon types, but the idea of 300 bull elk tags is way, way, way off.

Cheers,
Pete
 
I mean 300 bull tags on a single unit not the whole state. It seems funny to me that a unit in arizona has 300 give or take a few bullt tags each year and utah can have a unit with25 bull tags each year, and there are just as many big bulls on the units in arizona as utah, and the units in Utah have more or as many total elk on them. I understand genetics has some to do with it, but I don't think a 1;1 bull cow ratio or in some cases more bulls than cows can be good for a unit. Like I said before, I know it don't make sense scientifically, but when there are that many bulls, I am convinced that they for the most part don't grow as big. No explanation why, just my observation. Its almost like these units hit a peak, and maybe even go down hill a bit. For utah hunters example monroe, panguitch lake, Indian peaks and pahvant, now don't get me wrong, these are great units, but should be producing better bulls.
 

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