It varied in previous years depending on the unit. Not all LE elk units had mid-season or late hunts in previous years, so in that case a large majority of the 60% allocation went to the early rifle hunt, Those units that did have mid-season or late hunts were at smaller allocations than what is specified in the new plan nowWhat was early rifle last year?
I heard on a pod cast this year will stay about the same on tag numbers besides the late archery hunt will have extra tags added. I think I heard around 5 per unit for the December hunt. But it will increase in future years. Don't crucify me if I'm wrong though.So my question is will there be more elk tags overall. Will the archery & multi season & muzzy stay close to prior years? You’d think shifting tags out of the highest harvest hunts would let more tags become available with close to the same amount of harvest.
That was my understanding. It was intended to be somewhat of a gradual change over the next couple years, to try and gauge the adjustment. I expected a notable jump in tags this year, to get things changing. Then again, like you mentioned, winter may be a big factor this year…I thought they planned on issuing more tags across they the board because they wanted to bring the age class down? That was before the record breaking winter.
I agree with your assessment. I think the mid-season & late season may have slightly lower harvest, but I’d bet the age class of bulls harvested is a lot lower than the early rifle hunts. Looks like about half the new hunts are late archery. I can’t imagine a high success rate, or many bulls killed that are over 4 years old. I guess we’ll know these answers next year.Here are the harvest stats from last year below. As you can see not a big difference between early and late with mid season being maybe 15% behind. Moving tags out of the rut isn’t going to change the overall harvest too much. Maybe issue a few more tags but it’s not going to solve point creep. I think this surprises a lot of people.
Now lowering age objectives will help with point creep since that would enable more tags to be issued. It would also help herd health since a 1 to 1 bull to cow ratio is a disaster waiting to happen, more bull tags need to be issued on some of our units.
Archery: 43.0%
Muzzleloader: 74.4%
Early Rifle: 81.9%
Late Rifle: 79.9%
Multi Season: 84.6%
Mid season: 66.8%
With the reduced age objectives they will increase the overall number of tags for almost every unit, I think they plan on moving into this rather gradually for the next few years. I would nor expect a big jump, but a noticeable bump for sure.So my question is will there be more elk tags overall. Will the archery & multi season & muzzy stay close to prior years? You’d think shifting tags out of the highest harvest hunts would let more tags become available with close to the same amount of harvest.
Tag #'s won't be fully finalized and approved until the May 4th Wildlife Board meeting, but recommended tag #'s should come out as early as next week and will be reviewed/discussed in WB working meeting and RAC meetings through mid-April. Obviously the app period ends on 4/27 before the final approvals, but should know pretty well where things will go after the RAC meetings.Lots of changes this year with the rifle allocations, season dates and the age objectives. I have a couple questions:
1.) When do they finalize how many tags are gong to be available?
2.) Question for the locals - will there be any rut activity/bugling during the mid-season rifle hunt?
Most of my elk hunts have been archery hunts in September. However, I have called in and shot three rifle bulls in NM on 10/12, 10/15, and the bull in my signature pic on 10/16. Just wondering if the bulls will still be talking on the mid-season rifle hunts in UT. Granted they will have been pressured for over a month straight and will have the general hunters in the field at the same time (whereas in NM they at least get a short break between seasons to settle down)
I usually apply for archery or ML tags tags in UT but I already have an AZ archery tag and so my September is already booked. Was looking at possibly throwing my name in the hat for a mid-season rifle tag but don't want to waste 18 points if they are not talking.
Thanks for the info!!!!!Tag #'s won't be fully finalized and approved until the May 4th Wildlife Board meeting, but recommended tag #'s should come out as early as next week and will be reviewed/discussed in WB working meeting and RAC meetings through mid-April. Obviously the app period ends on 4/27 before the final approvals, but should know pretty well where things will go after the RAC meetings.
There will most definitely still be some rutting activity during the mid-season rifle hunt. Could be a really good hunt and could see some good draw odds this year on that hunt as people start to realize the change in allocations across the rifle hunts. The one big downside to that mid-rifle hunt is the competition with other hunters chasing spikes, etc.
Depends on the unitThe mid season hunt is generally the toughest hunt of all. Your not going to here much bugling.
yep, nearly all of the units I know well should still have some rutting activity going on, especially during the early part of the Oct 7 - Oct 19 mid-rifle hunt. They may not be bugling their guts out like end of September, but there will be some rutting activity/bugling still in most units.Depends on the unit
One more question. So if tag numbers have not been finalized yet, then how can they post if a tag is available to NR's yet?Tag #'s won't be fully finalized and approved until the May 4th Wildlife Board meeting, but recommended tag #'s should come out as early as next week and will be reviewed/discussed in WB working meeting and RAC meetings through mid-April. Obviously the app period ends on 4/27 before the final approvals, but should know pretty well where things will go after the RAC meetings.
There will most definitely still be some rutting activity during the mid-season rifle hunt. Could be a really good hunt and could see some good draw odds this year on that hunt as people start to realize the change in allocations across the rifle hunts. The one big downside to that mid-rifle hunt is the competition with other hunters chasing spikes, etc.
Some units don't offer a non resident tag. Only residents can apply. So if it's only in blue it's a residents only tag I believe.One more question. So if tag numbers have not been finalized yet, then how can they post if a tag is available to NR's yet?
View attachment 106667
Yes I know that. That is exactly what it says in the booklet. I understand the percentage splits between res/non-res. I also understand the percentage splits between different seasons. However, if they haven't officially proposed and officially approved tag numbers, then how do they know if there are enough tags available to provide a non-resident tag?Some units don't offer a non resident tag. Only residents can apply. So if it's only in blue it's a residents only tag I believe.
''Should be
40% archery
20% rifle
40% muzzy
Yes I know that. That is exactly what it says in the booklet. I understand the percentage splits between res/non-res. I also understand the percentage splits between different seasons. However, if they haven't officially proposed and officially approved tag numbers, then how do they know if there are enough tags available to provide a non-resident tag?
With the new splits 30% of tags go to mid-season rifle, 25% to archery, 17% late rifle, 15% muzzy, 10% early rifle, and 3% late. It is a pretty fine line between 30 - 25%. For example, how do they know there is enough tags available for a Book Cliff LCR mid season rifle but not for an archery tag if they haven't finalized numbers yet? Do they also assume tag numbers will not decrease from the previous year when posting the booklet?
A unit won’t double or triple animal numbers on a unit from one year too the next but the DWR count can double or drop in half from one year to the next.?I'll take a stab at this question
10% of tags go to Nonresidents. If a unit has historically issued very few overall tags then the DWR knows that they are not going to hit that threshold of 10 or so tags wherein one of those tags would go to a nonresident.
Basically it's a projection off of historical tag numbers and counts. A unit is not going to double or triple the amount of animals on it when it's counted from one year to the next so they have some idea on what they are going to do regarding tag numbers going into the draws before the counts happen.
That's the best explanation I have for it, maybe I'm wrong
I hear you. Here is my opinion on hunting technology because I guarantee you that the DWR is gonna half ass it like everything else so they can say look we did something about this issue, problem solved.Them DREADED SmokePoles Though Bob!
Good thing I've got a pre-64 Model 70! Bring on the rifle hunt, baby!
I think it would be really interesting if the DWR tried out @deadibob weapon restrictions on just one general deer unit over a three year period and compared the harvest rates to the past and other surrounding units. It would give an idea if these things do lessen harvest rates and how much of an effect it would be. You could also measure the demand for this type of hunt. I don't think it would piss off too many folks to try it out for a bit--do it on some ho-hum unit like the La Sals and see what happens.
Good thing I've got a pre-64 Model 70! Bring on the rifle hunt, baby!
Yep pre-64, THE RIFLEMAN'S RIFLE!Ya!
I Can't Imagine What Good Your Favorite Camo Is Gonna Do You Packin that Pre-64 with No Optics On It!
That would be good to do a side by side comparison. I don't see how it wouldn't drastically reduce success rates at least with the archery and muzzleloader hunts. I also think draw odds will improve because it takes more time and dedication to master that weaponry.I think it would be really interesting if the DWR tried out @deadibob weapon restrictions on just one general deer unit over a three year period and compared the harvest rates to the past and other surrounding units. It would give an idea if these things do lessen harvest rates and how much of an effect it would be. You could also measure the demand for this type of hunt. I don't think it would piss off too many folks to try it out for a bit--do it on some ho-hum unit like the La Sals and see what happens.
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