Above and beyond the problem mentioned, there is another shadow looming over the Paunsaugunt that should be addressed....and that is the overpopulation of cactus bucks. Now I know that there have always been a "higher than normal" amount of cactus bucks on the Paunsaugunt unit, but the number of these bucks has, for some time now, been on an extreme uprise. These bucks are not only a freak of nature but a waste of a resource. Most do not contain the testosterone to breed and many do not even contain the equipment needed to accomplish the task. While a big 3 pt, or even a 2 x 3 may be taken on the last day of the hunt by those wishing to punch their tag, most hunters wouldn't even think of shooting a cactus buck for the same reasons.
These deer consume just as much habitat as a doe or a buck but do not contribute to the population one ounce. In my opinion they are only taking up space for other potential and resourceful deer.
Now while I understand that there isn't an easy solution, (I know we can't just go in there and slaughter all the cactus bucks), I do believe that implenting a "youth only" hunt would be a great alternative to not only weeding down the number of cactus bucks, but at the same time giving our youth a chance to hunt a limited entry area where they will see a ton of game. Albeit, their intended goal is a cactus buck, but the dates and regulations would be easy ones......give out a certain amount of tags to youth only (18 and younger) and since most of the normal bucks have shed their velvet by the middle of September, just say that any buck with velvet on their head after December 1st (or whatever the best date to carry a hunt like this out on is), is fair game. This will ensure that almost 100% of the bucks taken are going to be cactus bucks.
Like I mentioned above, these deer are of no good to the herd at all. They consume habitat and feed that a healthy normal deer should be utilizing.....and all the while, they do not contribute to the survival of their species.
I do not know why this phenomenon happens, but I do know that there has been little done to pinpoint the reasoning. Since that is the case, I believe that there at least should be something done about managing them.
I will agree with what was said about the big 2 and 3 pt problem, and that should be addressed as well. My apologies for going off the original course of the post but I feel that there are some problems that "can" begin to see some solution, while others are being figured out. I hope that something can be done to see this legendary deer herd rebound to the potential it has proven in the past. Thanks for listening.....
