Been thinking and reading posts on opinions about Utahs deer herd and thought I'd share a few of my own.
First of all I think that Utah has some great deer and hunting oppertunities. Right now seems like there are a lot of calls for a big reduction in the numbers of hunters. The idea is to better manage numbers for the large mature deer that we all want to harvest. I dont necessarily think that this is true. Seems like there are a few areas with good deer numbers but these areas get killed by the orange hoards every year.
I hate the ideas put out by some guys, that we need to make large increases in the price of tags, thinking that this might cut down on some hunters. I think that hunting should be something that everyone has access to....wether they are wealthy or not. I'm tired of hearing that "$500 is a great deal for an elk tag, you just gotta save 20 dollars a month." Or the good old "Kids shouldent have access to special tags, they dont even appreciate them yet".
I think that the state should begin to create and manage smaller units. Limit the numbers of hunters per smaller area but continue to allow the same coverall numbers just spread them around. Managing a smaller unit will allow them to focus on the herd for that area......instead of the whole manti or nebo or all of southern utah. This would give everyone a more quality oppertunity.
My last idea/pet peeve has to do with dedicated hunters and archers. I think that the dedicated hunters need to pick an area and stay with that area. Seems like come November every dedicated hunter in the state packs up and hits the wasatch front. This is always the time for confrontations with nonhunters. Every parking lot on the front is full to the max with hunters and they seem to be on every oiled road next to the houses looking for an animal. I dont begrudge them or the general archery guys the right to archery hunt, but I would like to see them pick an area and hunt that area like everyone else, instead of chasing the late hunts.
Just a few of my ideas.
Andy
First of all I think that Utah has some great deer and hunting oppertunities. Right now seems like there are a lot of calls for a big reduction in the numbers of hunters. The idea is to better manage numbers for the large mature deer that we all want to harvest. I dont necessarily think that this is true. Seems like there are a few areas with good deer numbers but these areas get killed by the orange hoards every year.
I hate the ideas put out by some guys, that we need to make large increases in the price of tags, thinking that this might cut down on some hunters. I think that hunting should be something that everyone has access to....wether they are wealthy or not. I'm tired of hearing that "$500 is a great deal for an elk tag, you just gotta save 20 dollars a month." Or the good old "Kids shouldent have access to special tags, they dont even appreciate them yet".
I think that the state should begin to create and manage smaller units. Limit the numbers of hunters per smaller area but continue to allow the same coverall numbers just spread them around. Managing a smaller unit will allow them to focus on the herd for that area......instead of the whole manti or nebo or all of southern utah. This would give everyone a more quality oppertunity.
My last idea/pet peeve has to do with dedicated hunters and archers. I think that the dedicated hunters need to pick an area and stay with that area. Seems like come November every dedicated hunter in the state packs up and hits the wasatch front. This is always the time for confrontations with nonhunters. Every parking lot on the front is full to the max with hunters and they seem to be on every oiled road next to the houses looking for an animal. I dont begrudge them or the general archery guys the right to archery hunt, but I would like to see them pick an area and hunt that area like everyone else, instead of chasing the late hunts.
Just a few of my ideas.
Andy