Don Peays recomandation to archery hunt in Utah

whs · Mar 30, 2006

Just got done reading the wildlife board's meeting minutes. This is public info found on the DWR's website under wildlife/Rac boards. For those that have not "found the time" to read it I would highly recommend it. Don or SFW would like to take the last week out of the archery deer hunt. He feels like they can make it up on the extended season. I don't know about you but I dont like the idea. And of course those that don't bowhunt will be excited. But us archers here in the state already have limited seasons based on almost every state in the union. Please write or make it known that we don't want that week gone.

On a side note he did bring forth that the first nine days of the archery hunt make it manditory for those dedicated hunters to hunt in their specific unit and then it opens up to statewide. Which I think it is a great idea, it will take pressure off those units down south. Just some food for thought.

DBLung · Mar 30, 2006

It dosent suprise me that he would say that. I would be fine with shortening the deer archery hunt a few days, I like the velvet better myself, but only on one major condition. Put the elk archery hunt during the middle of the rut. Instead of the rifle hunt. Who needs a close shot? people with .300 Ultra Mags or stick flippers. But then agian that all depends on how good you are, even with a .300 Ultra Mag.

archery01 · Mar 30, 2006

I did not read all but sounded like it was for SR only, and mainly because rifle hunt was shortened to 5 days so archery should have to give up also. However you are talking very high success rates for rifle but minimal on archery. I think the whole point of a 5 day rifle hunt is to reduce harvest, I do not think a reduced archery would make a difference. You should not reccomend a reduction in hunt days just for the fact that other hunts are reduced. If archery hunters were influencing buck/doe ratios I am sure they would reduce. If not there is no reason.

PleaseDear · Mar 30, 2006

The good side is that the bow elk would have less hunters the last week of the Gen bow elk hunt.

The bad side is that the ZOO on the Wasatch Front-Extended area would just be worse and then next year He could go in and want to close it down too.....

Kinda like adding the LE Wasatch to the AR301 elk hunt and then all the issues with that and bingo.... no more AR301.....

Although, I have no problem with making the Wasatch Front Extended completely a Gen draw for deer and elk..... break it into 3 sub-units for the application..... but that is off the thread subject....

wileywapati · Mar 31, 2006

Just another example of SFW and Don Peay
working to increase opportunity for Utah's hunters.

This makes me want to puke, The sad thing about it was that
he was up to his old tricks of going through the back door
to try and get this done, at least the wildlife board had enough sack to tell him he needed to run this through the RAC process and not just try to slide it by with no one looking
way to be above board on this Don.

This kind of stuff sure makes me want to run right out and join SFW.

hogliver · Mar 31, 2006

Amen to that DBLung. It has always mytified me why UDWR sets the elk rifle hunt during the rut, with the archery season (generally) well before the rut. Have to admit, though, that it is a lot better than having virtually no hunt during the rut, as in Nevada.

ktc · Mar 31, 2006

I don't bow hunt anymore so the deer issue does not affect me. However, it strikes me odd that the elk thing gets brought up. The complaint is that the archery hunt is not in the heat of the rut. Again. If you want to hunt the heat of the rut, apply for an any weapon tag and use your bow. It is not a rifle rut. It is an any weapon hunt. Who needs to get closer? That would be a bow hunter. If the rut is an issue for you apply for the any weapon tag to help your chances of getting closer with a bow.

Maybe moving all hunts out of the rut is the answer.

No. I am not anti-bowhunting either.