Shorter Season (Pros and Cons?)

[NvrEnuf]

What do you guys think of the shorter season that UT is using now and then when deer numbers are in trouble? From what I have seen it seems to work very well. Three years ago in Central UT numbers were down and the hunt was shortened from 8 days to 5 days. The following year there was a noticeable difference in the number of both more mature and more immature bucks harvested. Last year I believe they did it in the South Eastern unit and this year I understand they are doing it down South. Since this seems to work so well when our deer herds are in trouble wouldn't it make sense to just leave things at 5 days for a while? Maybe until we had met our objectives? That way the DWR gets the same amount of money, hunters get basically the same amount of opportunity and all those bucks that are taken each year during the 2nd weekend grow to be at least one year older. What do you guys think? I am sure there is a chance that the pressure would be increased on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday since that is all the time we would have but I am fairly certain the good would outweigh the bad.

What are your thoughts?

NvrEnuf

 

[DallanC]

I'm all for it... but start with the archery season. 3 months is too damn long IMO.


-DallanC

 

[adamsoa]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-02-05 AT 02:47PM (MST)[p]Three months us a long time for some of the extended areas but not the Wasatch Front. Most of this area is archery only. Even with the longer/greater pressure it keeps getting better. Bowhunters dont have nearly the success of the long gun guys. Without the larger harvest from the rifle/muzzle loader hunters this unit can take the pressure.
I'll probally get some flack for these thoughts. In the other extended areas yes the deer do get run around a little but I dont believe the effect is all that great. Most of the late season deer hunters are on the Wasatch. Many more deer are killed by cars then by archers in theseother areas. Archers just dont make the harvest that the other hunters do.
Now if you want to archery pressure bothers you, cut off the dedicated hunters and make them choose a season. At least half of the guys I met on the bow hunt this year were dedicated hunters.

Anyway, just my thoughts

Andy

 

[SneakAttack]

Hey, I've 17 points for Mule Deer. Where should I put in?

Seriously though, we need to look at the big picture. I for one am willing to give up a buck that I might have taken on the second weekend, to have a chance at that same buck a later. That means he's bigger and badder the next year.

There is nothing about deer that I don't like. And I am willing to try a different approach to management in hopes of perpetuating a vanishing species. It's not the sixties anymore folks. I want my son to have an opportunity to photograph, video and hunt Muleys. The future isn't looking very bright. Everybody is full of ideas and opinions, and now you know mine.

Please don't turn this into a chute plane, USB cable in my buddies garage post!




?It's all about the gut pile?