Southern Utah Pine Valley Unit

romannose · Sep 15, 2006

This could be a top unit if they would just manage it.
BUT UTAH DWR IS ONLY CONCERNED WITH MONEY.
They need to look around and see what other states are doing.
Does anyone know if they are even considering any kind of micro managing?

Daxter · Sep 19, 2006

I also think that the Pine Valley unit could produce Paunsagunt type deer if it was managed right. The DWR already has a budget shortfall, so any suggestions that would decrease the already insufficient revenue are met with lots of oppostition. You look at states like AZ, NV, CO and they have really made efforts to micromanage their deer herds. It has not necessarily helped populations recover in these areas, but the buck to doe ratios have increased and buck age class has really increased.

The DWR actually wanted to move to managing deer in smaller units a couple of years ago, but when managing the states deer herds in 25 units came up at the RAC meetings sportsmen shot the idea down because they said it would ruin family hunting opportunities. I disagree, in CO you can choose a unit that is managed for opportunity and your whole family can draw and hunt together, or you can choose a unit managed for quality and hunt for a trophy. Times have changed and hunters can't have everything. You can't have a tag every year with all your family and expect to see lots of big bucks. The demand has outpaced the declining resource. Now, hunters have to make a trade off. Opportunity or quality, in general this the choice you have to make.

Here is a pic of the Hunt buck. Scores around 300, taken of the Pine Valley Unit back in the day.

UTmonsterslayer · Sep 19, 2006

i work with a lady, hunt is her last name, her husbands uncle shot that buck. she has showed me pics of it before. 304 NET! freakin amazing!!!

cabinfever · Sep 19, 2006

Pine Valley would no doubt be a top producer for trophy mule deer if they managed for it.There are some good genes in this unit. Micromangement is the only way to go and Utah DWR knows it. Consequently, they wont allow it, because of the lost revenue. Talk about beating a dead horse.

Mike