LAST EDITED ON Jul-05-16 AT 05:31PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jul-05-16 AT 05:08?PM (MST)
>>So we decrease point creep for
>>Limited Entry by increasing point
>>creep for General Season.
>>Got it......
>>
>>Just a reality check-- there were
>>over 6,000 new applicants for
>>LE deer in Utah.
>>So if you want to
>>stop point creep you have
>>to increase LE tags by
>>over 6,000.
>>
>
>^^^^^That's all true! You cannot "change"
>the system without negatively impacting
>others who are waiting their
>turn. We continually add applicants
>and they continue to vie
>for the limited number of
>LE tags. Either random or
>points, we're just talking about
>tough draw odds for a
>limited resource.
>
>The only way to run more
>points holders through the system
>is to increase tags and
>the only logical way to
>do that is with more
>"real" primitive hunts during difficult
>times of the year so
>we don't deplete the resource.
>This will still never take
>the top tier points holders
>out of the draw but
>rather will allow low points
>holders and option for a
>tag, which might be less
>desirable than a general tag!
>
>
>The bottom line is the current
>system works but some just
>get impatient or want to
>figure out a way to
>jump to the front of
>the line at the expense
>of others. That's human nature,
>I suppose.
>
>Zeke
And it's human nature for those who remain in line to resent those who butt in line in front of them, especially if they do it without asking or offering to compensate those waiting in line. That's also true of the trophy versus opportunity hunters.
So, if you want to reduce point creep by adding more LE units and permits and OIL permits from the public permit pool, then it's time to compensate opportunity hunters for their losses. Here are some ways to do that:
1) Stop holding general permits hostage while trying to increase unit buck to doe ratio objectives. The current established ratios are already 3 times the biological number needed and they don't need to be increased even further to save the herds as is claimed. When the b/d ratio exceeds the number established in the unit plan, issue the number of permits needed to bring it down to where it should be. Spread that reduction if you want to, but by the end of the 5 year plan that b/d ratio should be where the plan calls for it to be.* (* with considerations for populations, access, private property, etc. as stated in the plan.)
2) Stop holding general permits hostage for social reasons that don't benefit the herds nor opportunity. "Overcrowding", loss of statewide archery, shortened seasons and antler point restrictions are some of the things we've experienced or heard, but there are others. The Partners in Pine Valley established some proposals for managing the unit deer herd without consulting the DWR and asked the State Deer Committee to consider those proposals. We didn't because they were unit proposal, but, as it turns out those proposals either had been done or were already being done or were not feasible. In any case, they didn't do their homework, but went ahead with their proposal anyway because they wanted the buck to doe ratio raised to 23/100 from 17-20/100. That's managing for trophies on a general unit and it's not opportunity friendly.
3) Put a cap on Conservation (LE & OIL) permits and keep the 200 permit cap on Expo permits. Any new LE units approved and any increases in populations of LE animals in the current units would be off-limits to Conservation Permit & Expo Permit Programs. Any additional LE & OIL permits need to stay in the public pools.
4) Remove LE and OIL permits from the mentor program. They are not needed to recruit youth (dads and grandpas are the real reason they go) and we simply can't afford numerically to use them as such. But if they remain, then charge both the adult and the youth with the loss of points and the waiting periods, including the OIL rule.
5) Since the Expo draw is claimed to be a draw open to the public, then treat it as such, including loss of points, waiting periods, OIL rules. It should simply be another opportunity to draw a public permit, nothing more! If you've drawn a bull moose tag in the regular draw, you're out of the Utah public draw pool for bull moose including the Expo draw. If you want to shoot another one, then apply in another state or purchase a Utah permit at one of the auctions.
6) Limit the number and ratios of private CWMU permits vs public CWMU permits to more favorable public opportunity numbers. Of course this would be a lot more involved than just unilaterally or arbitrarily establishing some numbers, but the effort should be worth pursuing for all parties involved.
7) Issue the number of antlerless permits the plans call for in order to regulate the populations. And limit the transplants to areas that offer no alternatives or to situations that are species expansion designed. Transplants are too expensive to use on a regular basis and not that effective in controlling the populations on either end.
Too much, you say! Well welcome to the club! If you want to slow down the point creep, pay the price!
Edited: And, yes, many of the above ideas would be needed also, especially the chose your poison (LE or general) idea.