ICMDEER
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I thought I would share the highlights of the results from the small survey I sent to folks here in southeast Wyoming. Here's a "cut and paste" for the highlights. If anyone wants details, let me know and I will be glad to provide them.
Also, please note that the ranchers, landowners, and die-hard hunters all felt there are WAY FEWER deer at present than there were 10 or 20 years ago. Game and Fish contends that there are twice as many deer as there were 20 years ago in some areas and more deer now in all areas. It's funny how the people that live on the land and the hunters rarely agree with Game and Fish about populations and numbers.
Sorry this is long, but here it goes...........
56 surveys were mailed to residents of Platte and Goshen Counties
Surveys were sent to individuals known to be passionate mule deer hunters, own hunting land or host hunters
38 surveys were returned for a response rate of 68 percent
Returned surveys represented 328,500 acres in the two counties
Some key responses are as follows:
?^ Not a single respondent wanted fewer deer
?^ 95% of respondents wanted to see more deer, and 66% of respondents would like to see at least twice as many deer
?^ 92% of respondents said that deer numbers are down compared to 10 years ago, and 47% said there are less than half as many deer as 10 years ago.
?^ 97% of respondents said deer numbers are less than 20 years ago and 62% said there are less than half as many deer as 20 years ago.
?^ 95% of respondents said that they do not feel that doe harvest is a sound biological practice at the present time in southeast Wyoming.
?^ 88% of respondents said they feel that limited quota licenses would provide for better management of mule deer in southeast Wyoming.
?^ 84% of respondents said they would support the establishment of limited quota license areas for mule deer in southeast Wyoming.
When asked what problems or limiting factors have contributed to the decline of mule deer numbers in southeast Wyoming, predators stood out as the most often recognized problem. The second most important limiting factor was identified as hunting pressure. (In this question, the lowest numbers reflect the highest priority or most significant issue affecting mule deer numbers.) The ranking of answers is as follows:
2.22 ?V predators
3.47 - hunting pressure
3.57 ?V habitat quality
4.22 ?V habitat quantity
4.44 ?V competition form other wildlife such as whitetails or elk
4.69 ?V grazing management
When asked to rate the current management system for mule deer in southeast Wyoming as prescribed by the Wyoming Game and Fish, with scores of:
1= terrible and 10 = perfect
The Game and Fish received a score of 3.57 out of a possible 10 for their current management system for mule deer in southeast Wyoming.
Numerous comments and notes of support for more mule deer and better management were identified. Some key items were:
?^ One respondent asked that seasons be closed until deer populations recover
?^ Many expressed frustration with current management and a lack of responses from Game and Fish at season setting meetings and in other communication when concerns for mule deer are expressed.
?^ Several sent unsolicited funds to support survey costs
?^ Many suggested that a similar survey be used for antelope in our area
?^ Many felt that Game and Fish will not go to a limited quota system because they are concerned more with money (and income from license sales) than with the wildlife resource itself.
?^ Virtually no one could understand the reason for doe seasons given the current low population of mule deer in our area, and numerous comments were received which questioned that management method.
Also, please note that the ranchers, landowners, and die-hard hunters all felt there are WAY FEWER deer at present than there were 10 or 20 years ago. Game and Fish contends that there are twice as many deer as there were 20 years ago in some areas and more deer now in all areas. It's funny how the people that live on the land and the hunters rarely agree with Game and Fish about populations and numbers.
Sorry this is long, but here it goes...........
56 surveys were mailed to residents of Platte and Goshen Counties
Surveys were sent to individuals known to be passionate mule deer hunters, own hunting land or host hunters
38 surveys were returned for a response rate of 68 percent
Returned surveys represented 328,500 acres in the two counties
Some key responses are as follows:
?^ Not a single respondent wanted fewer deer
?^ 95% of respondents wanted to see more deer, and 66% of respondents would like to see at least twice as many deer
?^ 92% of respondents said that deer numbers are down compared to 10 years ago, and 47% said there are less than half as many deer as 10 years ago.
?^ 97% of respondents said deer numbers are less than 20 years ago and 62% said there are less than half as many deer as 20 years ago.
?^ 95% of respondents said that they do not feel that doe harvest is a sound biological practice at the present time in southeast Wyoming.
?^ 88% of respondents said they feel that limited quota licenses would provide for better management of mule deer in southeast Wyoming.
?^ 84% of respondents said they would support the establishment of limited quota license areas for mule deer in southeast Wyoming.
When asked what problems or limiting factors have contributed to the decline of mule deer numbers in southeast Wyoming, predators stood out as the most often recognized problem. The second most important limiting factor was identified as hunting pressure. (In this question, the lowest numbers reflect the highest priority or most significant issue affecting mule deer numbers.) The ranking of answers is as follows:
2.22 ?V predators
3.47 - hunting pressure
3.57 ?V habitat quality
4.22 ?V habitat quantity
4.44 ?V competition form other wildlife such as whitetails or elk
4.69 ?V grazing management
When asked to rate the current management system for mule deer in southeast Wyoming as prescribed by the Wyoming Game and Fish, with scores of:
1= terrible and 10 = perfect
The Game and Fish received a score of 3.57 out of a possible 10 for their current management system for mule deer in southeast Wyoming.
Numerous comments and notes of support for more mule deer and better management were identified. Some key items were:
?^ One respondent asked that seasons be closed until deer populations recover
?^ Many expressed frustration with current management and a lack of responses from Game and Fish at season setting meetings and in other communication when concerns for mule deer are expressed.
?^ Several sent unsolicited funds to support survey costs
?^ Many suggested that a similar survey be used for antelope in our area
?^ Many felt that Game and Fish will not go to a limited quota system because they are concerned more with money (and income from license sales) than with the wildlife resource itself.
?^ Virtually no one could understand the reason for doe seasons given the current low population of mule deer in our area, and numerous comments were received which questioned that management method.
