BEST MANAGED STATE FOR BIG GAME

[cabinfever]

IN YOUR OPINION WHAT STATE DOES THE BEST JOB OF MANAGING THEIR BIG GAME. I THINK UTAH IS DOING A GREAT JOB OF MANAGING ELK AND TURKEYS, BUT NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP WITH THEIR DEER MANAGEMENT.

CABINFEVER

 

[Skunkterd]

WYOMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[2_Point]

I'd say Alaska. Kind of hard to screw up that much untouched Territory. I think every state in the lower 48 has some kind of management problem. Utah is probably better than some, but could always improve. I think the same could be said for every state.

 

[Reflex_Shooter]

WYOMING HANDS DOWN.

 

[stickflipper]

Yes, Utah has done a great job managing their elk herd--I guess elk will grow big with no one shooting any--hope they dont do that with the deer!

 

[saminwy]

tough to say. i think wyoming does a good job for the most part. they do alot of things i dont like, but there seems to be alot more bitching from other states. i do wish they would bring back point restrictions to some of the areas i hunt. i dont care what anyone says-they worked well in the area i hunted.

 

[2_Point]

Wyoming has alot of open space that is easier to manage, much like Alaska. But Wyoming's deer herd compared to 10 years ago is way down. They decimated some of their antelope herds a few years back.

I guess the answer will always depend on the expectations of each individual hunter.

 

[saminwy]

yeah, numbers are rough right now. though there are some things with the deer herd that could have been managed better, our deer numbers are mostly a weather problem-right about the time there were signs of recovery from the 93 winterkill, the drought put an end to the comeback. unfortunatly, we'll probably break the drought with another big winterkill. i think the west end of the state may be improving from the drought conditions a little this year. here in the southeast we are still really dry, though.

but yeah, wyoming game and fish has a much easier job than many states in the west.

sam

 

[RACKMASTER]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-22-04 AT 09:37PM (MST)[p]WYOMING ELK!!
WYOMING DEER!!
WYOMING FLAT OUT!!
Get a BIG GAME HUNTING VIOLATION or caught doing it wrong
Wyoming has the tuffest FINES and JAIL times in the WESTERN
STATES.
Just my two cents but that why! poaching is dealt with!
Just read G&F news releases when they catch one!
Other states need to be as much of a hard ass on POACHERS
the end result would bigger, better Bucks and Bulls!

 

[nmhunter1975]

Well i dont know about the best but I thing I know the worst one. New Mexico has real bad managment. I can remeber when i started deer hunting 17 years ago my dad and I would see deer by the heards. Now we are lucky to see a few deer during hunting season. Elk is going down hill to. Over hunting is bring the herds way down. Poaching is real bad too. Thats my two cents worth take it or not.

 

[nontypical]

Wyo is up there,but we need to make some changes.I think some of the reason the deer are down is due to the drought,and nowdays there are so many people getting into the back country it's unreal.Compared to 10 yrs ago,the numbers of people getting back in there(western Wyo)is at least 5 times worse.This is also affecting quality.We need to get even tougher on poaching.There has been at least 5 winter range poaching of big mulies(that I know of),and some idiot shot 3 bull moose and left them lay.They weren't dead,and had to be finished by wardens.This kind of crap has got to stop.Later,N.T.

 

[Cass]

Stick I hope your kidding.
How can you say utah has managed their elk herd wisely when they took their biggest herd, the first lake herd, and demished it from 5500 to less than 1500 in less than 5 years?



-Cass

 

[WAmuleyHunter]

It is definitly not Washington. We are managed for money not healthy herds. I mean come on we have a spike only modern rifle elk hunt,thats it unless you get drawn for one of the few permits. I could go on and on. I guess thats what you get when a Dem. runs your state. Only other state i have hunted is Montana and i loved it.

Garrett

 

[ICMDEER]

I'm surprised to see so many people say Wyoming. We are lucky because we have fewer residents than anywhere, so that makes it easier to manage wildlife. Our Game and Fish does an excellent job with antelope and pretty good on elk. But I'd have to argue that Wyoming does not do a good job on providing quality deer hunts. We need smaller, more limted quota areas. There are a few, but most areas don't limit resident pressure at all. I'd like to see some later bow seasons and a real muzzleloader season.

I can remember 20-25 years ago, and things were WAY better. We have not really changed deer management and there has been a steady decline in the quality of the hunts. 20 more years of this and we'll be in real trouble.

I feel like several other states do a much better job with deer, Nevada and Colorado for example.

Just my 2 cents worth..............

Jim

 

[Wapiti]

Utah has done a pretty good job on the elk in most cases, depending on who you talk to. The shear numbers of elk have significanly increase over the past 20 years.

Utah manages it's elk herds primarily for trophy class animals. There are some general season OTC areas but they recieve heavy pressure with low success rates. If your after a trophy class bull Utah definitly ranks near the top, however, because of this type of managment opportunity is limited.

I harvested a nice bull of a L.E. unit last year and figure I may never get another chance in Utah. It took 16 years to get that tag. I'll be 32 this year and who knows, maybe when I'm 50 years old I'll get another chance, but by that time who knows where hunting will be.

Utah has had it share of problems. They desimated the Fish Lake Unit a couple of years ago. Last year they allowed hunters to kill off most of the bulls on the the West Desert unit west of Nephi.

They also give out way too many cow tags for many areas. I've noticed a big decline in elk numbers on units such as the South Slope and Anthro.

As far as deer managment is concerned, Utah has a poor track record. Utahs problem is they waited too long to start managing the deer herds. Although the DWR is not responsible for all the blame. Mother Nature has taken its toll on the deer herds as well. A couple big winters back in the early 90's really took their toll on deer herds and the deer have never been able to fully recover since.

 

[kilowatt]

I think Nevada has done a good job even though can't draw a tag. Everyone who wants to hunt Nevada HAS TO DRAW THE TAGS PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

Brian

 

[BrianID]

I think Colorado has done the best job overall because they give most of the resident and nonresident hunters an opportunity for the type of hunting experience they are looking for.
States like Wyoming have an easy job because they have so few resident hunters.

 

[stickflipper]

CASS- Yes the DWR messed up and killed a bunch of cows down on the Fishlake. But when I go out and see as many big bulls as cows and spikes thats BS. Sure they are cool to see but Utah seems to think that you need to be able to drive down the road and be able to kill a 340" bull and that is what I dont like about the management. I feel if they want to do that, they ought to have premium elk units like the deer units and open up more limited opportunities on the other units to harvest more elk.

 

[stickflipper]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-23-04 AT 05:29PM (MST)[p]Oops.

 

[mr3006]

Nevada has land owner tags.. IF you have money.

 

[Bob D.]

Garrett, why do you think the spike only elk hunt is not good management? Since the WDFW went to the spike only general hunt 7 years ago, elk herds have improved dramatically. The spike only rule allows everybody to hunt every year, which is what people want. The WDFW does their best to make everybody happy. I wouldn't say Washington has the best managed big game, but then we also have more people per square mile than any other western states other than California. Managing big game is really about managing people, and obviously the more people there are, the more complicated it is to manage. Some states manage more for quality than quantity. Washington is managed more for quantity in order to allow more people to hunt, and yes, to bring in more money for the state. But there is nothing wrong with that. I think the spike only hunt in eastern Washington is a good thing. They could have left it as it was, with no limits on the number of bulls killed...that would be poor management. Or, they could go to elk hunting by permit only, but too many hunters would complain if they couldn't hunt every year.

 

[stickflipper]

I agree, thats the bottom line. I hope I can get a job that I can make bank because if I dont I feel like my days of hunting are numbered.

 

[Cass]

In my opinion, It's nevada or Wyoming.
Nevada has become one of the premier states to not only hunt Huge elk, but big deer, bighorn, as well as pronghorn. The transplants have nearly been al successfull. Yet, the one thing that I as well as many others can complain about is the lions. Nevada has not managed the lions as well as they should have. They planted them with the impression that they will keep the elk herds stable. Now, if a lion sees an elk and a deer he is most likely to go after the deer due to the size of the animal. It has become a really big problem here in nevada, and I believe that The NDOW should put a Place on a juniors application where if they choose to hunt lions then they should recieve a Lion tag with the junior tag for 1 year and see what happenes. With all the juniors out there wanting to hunt it would be a thrill for them to hunt a lion after knocking down a buck or a doe.



-Cass

 

[freedyf]

One thing for sure, it sure isn't Idaho. However the way we're going, it won't be long before we have the best wolf and grizzly hunting in the lower 48.

 

[NVMDF]

Cass, not to call you out on this, you have a point.
Nevada needs to kill more lions, They have made a step
in the right direction this year by not limiting the
lions killed in any given unit, but by opening the entire
state until the quota is filled.

This is only part of the preditor problem, much worse than
the lions are the thousands of coyotes, back in the hay-days,
10-20 years ago ranchers were still using poison, and if you
look at the deer numbers since the late 80's, sure we've had drought, a couple hard winters, but not much in the way of
habitat loss, but the numbers are still going down.

I think our game and fish dept. has done a great job, and most
people around here still ##### about not drawing every year, but
you don't here people complain about to many hunters. I grew up
in Utah then moved to Nevada, and you'll never hear me complain
about hunting every other year, or to many hunters.

NVMDF

 

[kilbuc]

Free..

The increase of wolfs and grizzlys in Idaho is not the fault of Idaho F&G, they have no managemnet authority of either. They are controlled by the feds (F&W/L Ser). Both species are currently under the authority of the feds (Endangered Species Act). Have to differentiate between federal and state W/L agencies.

from the "Heartland of Wyoming"

 

[BearDown]

I dont know about over all managment but AZ the last time I looked produces more trophy Elk than any other state. I also believe that AZ is at the top for antelope and of course the strip produces monster bucks every year.

 

[Bura Nut]

I am also surprised to see nobody said AZ yet. We have some great Muley', Elk, Antelope & coues etc.....I think the Game Dept. here works well with the public and non-profit organizations to try and please hunters. I hate trying to get drawn, but it is worth it to me........ Allen Taylor......

 

[SPAZ]

It depends on what "best" managed means.

Montana and Wyoming are damn tough to beat if you live in those states. Great hunting every year for multiple species, long seasons, and plenty of diverse places to hunt.

 

[YollaBolly]

The Top Ten (Eleven) for deer-- NOT big game

10. Kalifornicated- NonTypicals galore in the gay bay
9. Washington State- $$$$$$ What mule deer?? Where?
8. Utah- Keep reading posts from the Utards
7. New Mexico- See # 8
6. Idaho- More hunters than deer in the SE corner.
5. Montanie- Eastern MT still is good
4. Oregon- You can buy the GOV's tag cheap
3. Colorado- Ask Buckspit..
2. Wyoming- Living in the Popeye Past
1. Nevada- Their is a 300 " nontypical..ask Cass
1. Arizona- No big deer in the strip, just a terrible chute
plane problem.

I guess the best managed state for deer has to be Florida. Go Gators

 

[30inchbucks]

If you only knew the seriousness of Arizona's problem with the chute plane. It's no laughing matter. If you could only see the future you wouldn't be making cracks about it. The 1X2 disease is spreading faster than CWD.

 

[BCBOY]

For the best overall management for Big Game my vote goes to British Columbia. 900,000 sq km in size with 95% being public land. With only 4.1 million people mostly concentrated in a few urban areas, most of the land area is still available for wildlife. BC has the highest wildlife diversity of anywhere in North America. Many species are currently at historic highs. And get this, most species can be hunted with over the counter tags. With only 93,000 hunters, there's tons of places that we can have the whole area to ourselves and never see another footprint the entire season. What more can be better? Oh yea, we hold more World Records than anywhere else too.

 

[YollaBolly]

30", what the heck is the 1X2 disease? I'am serious. thanks, Rick

 

[Cass]

I do what I can to kill a coyote when I see one.
Occasionally somone I know will hit one going to work, but if im in the hills i will almost always kill one if I see em.
I know a lot of the people in the ely area have told me that if I see a lion to shoot it and they will be more than happy to report it as they shot it.
I haven't done it yet, but due to the fact I always buy a lion tag if I shoot one i'll be doing my part.



-Cass

 

[BearDown]

Yolla....no big deer on the strip? Well I guess the guy that just spent 120,000 bucks on the govenors tag is going to be dissapointed. As for the chute plane, what does it matter theres only what 75 tags a year in there? This whole chute plane destroying hunting is a joke. By the way you go ahead and stay in eastern Montana, heck I hope everybody heads that way, I'll just stay over here in the west chassing some big muleys by myself!

 

[Bob D.]

The topic isn't the "Best State" it is the "Best Managed State." Therefore I don't know if British Columbia, and some of the other states mentioned would qualify. After all, managing for big game is all about people management, when the proportion of people to game is lower, the need for good managment is less. I think my vote would go to Arizona. Lots of people yet still lots of quality animals. Nevada would be right up there at the top too.

 

[YollaBolly]

BearDown, if I draw a 13B tag you can bet your sweet arse that I will hire someone who will scout with all available tools. And, that doesn't mean a quad runner, motorcycle or 4WD truck. At least it you spot one with other means ( bird) you have to wait 48 hours unlike a vehicle with wheels. Boom, right off the ole quad. Now thats lazy hunting.

 

[BearDown]

Yolla okay I wasnt sure where you were comming from. I agree even if you do see some good game from the air it does'nt meen it will still be around 48 hours later. On the strip could you imangine the little honey holes of water that you could find! Thats what I would be more interested in water and feed! By the way if you draw that tag you stole it from me!

 

[YollaBolly]

BearDown, I've got 6 points for deer. What are my odds? Not good I'd bet. Heck, if I draw a permit I just might buy one of those paraplanes and do my own scouting. The strip is like a magnet, it sucks you in with its beauty. I know odds are not very good to draw one of the seven or eight non resident tags. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[losthuntr]

Wyoming is screwing up their management in the southwestern part of the state terribly. I was talking to the local bioligist at a check station. I asked him why we instituted a slaughter on the deer and elk in areas along the utah border. His answer was it is their policy to eliminate the animals in those areas so that wyoming isn't paying to support utah's wintering herds. They manage a couple of trophy areas and some wilderness hunting and then say to hell with the rest of the state, and that's my feelings on wyoming management. And from what I've seen utah isn't much better in the areas that border wyoming.

 

[losthuntr]

I feel that limiting the oportunity's so that it costs an arm and a leg to hunt areas where the best you can hope for is a 28 inch buck or a 300 class bull, management is starting to equal money, we all know thats what the state thinks is important, it's all just becomeing a buisness and no longer an agency built for the benefit of the animals or the outdoor going people