LAST EDITED ON Feb-02-09 AT 06:32AM (MST)[p]
LAST EDITED ON Feb-02-09 AT 06:28?AM (MST)
I was born and raised in southwest Wyoming during the mule deer heydays. To say it was unbelievable would be an understatement. It truly was a mule deer hunter?s mecca. The number of deer and the number of huge bucks were astounding.
I was about the only person who bow hunted that area in those days, and it was common to see 50-75 bucks in a mornings outing. I can't tell you the number of big bucks I wanted to shoot, but passed on because I felt I might loose my arrow if I missed. I only had four or five to my name. But there were so many deer in those days I knew that with in minutes or hours at the most, I would have as good or better opportunity in an area that if I missed I could find my arrow.
Sadly those days are gone forever. Since that time there has been a huge amount of change that have negatively affected the deer herds in that region. The energy boom of the 70?s took a great toll as areas that once required long walks or horse back rides are now a network of roads and byways.
Some of my favorite hunting groves now have huge plants within a stones throw that operate 24/7/365. Easy access, 4x4?s, four wheelers, motorcycles, shed hunters, wolves, coyotes, shooting sticks, big boom guns with powerful optics, and outdated management have worked in unison to destroy what once was one of, if not the greatest mule deer herds in the world.
It was a great honor to witness and hunt it at its best. It hurts deeply to see what has been allowed to happen.
It is far too late to change much of what has happened, but the parts we can change and should change are long over due. It's time in that area to limit resident and non resident hunting severely. To spread the limited opportunity, as best possible, its time to create choose your weapon hunting in that area. Management is one of the few things we can do to improve and then maintain what still can be a great mule deer area. It can never be what it once was, but with limited hunting could quickly become Wyoming?s Henry Mountains. It has far more potential than is being allowed. It will take sacrifice on everyone?s part, but in the long run the payoff for all will be very beneficial.
This is what has replaced the herds of bucks in much of that area. It's a favorite ridge that at one time a guy would see buck after buck after buck. Here's what I saw the last time I was there. (less than 2 years ago).
Have a good one. BB