Just a point or two while we weed through options here:
The stink raised when 'set-asides' were up on the block would pale compared to restricting Res. Deer to a Region. That would bring out the quiet majority. We'd mutiny, fer sure. Big time. It would be perceived, rightfully so, as a 'special interest' benefit, and as the outfitters found out previously, would be shot down like a rabid dog.
Gate closures would have the instant effect of concentrating road use in other spots, then what to be done about those areas becomes the issue. The Elk hunters wouldn't put up with that crap, for one thing. The legalities would be questioned, if not "dealt with", right away.
Limited quotas would concentrate some hunters on other general areas, most likely, and those might start going downhill where there's never been a problem before. I'm sure residents of those areas would be very unhappy at the prospects.
These methods might be effective for the given area, but how many other areas would be adversely affected? Is it worth it? And to whom?
The one thing that I see as not much of a problem is the road hunter himself--9 out of 10 don't go more than a mile from their ride. There's an awful lot of country that never sees a footprint that isn't half a mile from a well-traveled two-track.
Those guys just don't want to be too far removed from their creature comforts. Doesn't matter what they're hunting.
One thing that might have Regions G and H (which are artificial boundaries for residents) amenable for some type of tag restrictions is most, by far, residents don't travel to those places to hunt deer--they go there for Elk. And they wouldn't bother going there at all if not for Elk.
Resident majority just doesn't give these places the deer popularity marks they seem to get from outside, on the whole. Most of our deer hunting is done in places the mags won't hear about. Closer to home, for most. That's the way it should be.
But try messing with residents' Elk hunting territory, and you've got a battle royal on your hands. Try closing gates where the Elk camps are set up, that will be a lead balloon.
Rumproast