What bull to cow ratio is good?

Craig · Dec 28, 2006

In Washington the units I hunt elk in are managed for 15 -20 bulls per 100 cows. Then I see some of the units in Utah with 1 to 1 bull to cow ratios and some say that is to high.

Is there a magic number to what is a good ratio or does it all depend on the habitat? Can a high bull count have a negative effect on the herd? If there is no negative effect why do fish and game departments manage for the lower bull cow ratios?

bobcatbess · Dec 28, 2006

1 BULL TO 1 COW AIN'T BAD!!!

THE UDWR KNOWS HOW TO MAKE THIS RATIO HAPPEN!!!

THE HERDS DO FINE!!!

THEN THEY ISSUE WAY TO FRICKEN MANY COW SHOOTER PERMITS!!!

THEN THEY WONDER HOW THE HELL THE RATIO'S GOT SCREWED UP!!!

WTF???

WTF???

WTF???

THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HAVE TOO MANY BULLS PER COW!!!

I WONDER HOW THE HELL THAT HAPPENED???

THE ONLY bobcat THINKING THERES ONLY TWO PLACES YOU CAN SEE TWO STUDS ON EACH PHILLY,OUR MISMANAGED UTAH ELK HERDS & IN THE MOVIES!!!

Antler1 · Dec 28, 2006

Here is a link for the Utah 2005 big game report. I didn't see one unit with a 1 to 1 bull/cow ratio.
http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/biggame/pdf/2005_bg_report.pdf

The truth is the only way they could push the new mismanagement tags through is to exaggerate the bull/cow ratios by saying some units are 1 to 1.

isayNUNYA · Dec 28, 2006

Every saturday night its the same old story. Walk into the party and its 20 bulls to 1 cow! I would like to see the ratio sway the other way once in a while.

bobcatbess · Dec 28, 2006

HEY DALE!!!

I AGREE!!!

THE RUMORS START!!!

AND THE PRE-MEDITATED INCREASED PERMITS HAPPEN!!!

THE ONLY bobcat!!!

Antler1 · Dec 28, 2006

isay,

You can't stay out of the hills long enough to keep one of those Saturday night party cows happy.

isayNUNYA · Dec 28, 2006

I know, thats why every time I get home either they have packed thier sheet and left or some other feller is parked in my driveway. Good gawd I've spent enough on diamond rings to buy a damn stone sheep hunt and spend enough on child support and alimony to buy a freakin Pahvant tag every year. Next time some random girl says I love you I think I'll just tell her thanks, walk out the door and find a new one.

Oh and leave the damn elk alone the ratio's are just fine, DWR!
Lets do something with the deer!

shortmag · Dec 31, 2006

In Idaho, 48 bulls per 100 cows is considered good. Dang good. I think population is dependent on habitat but bull/cow ratio is dependent on harvest, predation, severity of the winter etc. Not sure about f+g managing for lower ratios as management seems to be different for various objectives in a specific unit (ie. a controlled hunt generally has a higher bull ratio than a general unit as harvest is controlled).