R
redrabbit
Guest
The G&F Department is to recommend to the commission this Saturday the following changes that the youth hunt have 800 permits over two hunts in Nov (700 more than last year's of 100), add 400 to the early 12Awest for a total of 900, and add 150 to the early 12Aeast to a total of 300, and moving the season up two weeks to the middle of October.
The Kaibab is under an Alternative Deer Management Plan where it is to be managed for a harvest of older age class animals and reduced hunter densities.
The objective buck:doe ratio is to be a min of 20:100, and a 60+:100 fawn:doe ratio. Harvest of bucks is to be 55-75% 3+ year old bucks and 20-30% 5+ year old bucks.
Concerns by some outfitter/guides is that the increased number of early tags will result in a harvest higher than the department predicts of 30-35%, and killing many of the younger more vulnerable age class bucks still near summer range (more in the open pines), which would severely impact the number of older bucks in a few years. They advise against the increase in tags and the earlier season.
Last year the number of youth tags was reduced to 100 through the effots of the ADA. This year, in spite of an ongoing study and mention of keeping the Kaibab "status quo", the number of doe permits is being increased to 800 to occur in two hunts. The department says the westside herd has doubled in the past few years and the reduction in deer and breeding does is needed to protect upcoming winter range habitat projects. A couple years ago, two winter range aerial surveys produced a population of 3800-6300 and, G&F reset their models, and now estimate 8000-9000 via the computer model. G&F estimated 4800 in 2002 and 6800 in 2004. No actual/real current population data is available. The fawn:doe ratio has been published as 76, 46, 65, 103, and 86:100 for the years 2001 to 2005 respectively.
Some ADA members recently surveyed the winter and transition range. They found it to be in better shape than G&F says, with water catchments full, good greenup occurring, and few deer now on the winter range. Some 14-16" leader growth was reported on cliffrose, and less than the 60-70% useage (6-7 out of 10 stems nipped) noted by G&F. G&F just completed a study this week, but no data is available yet. No data was given on how far the cliffrose stems were browsed back, though.
As no detrimental impact to the winter range was observed, some recommend that the number of junior permits be reduced. They are in favor of youth hunts, but not at the expense of the Kaibab deer population.
Since G&F and ADA are in the middle of a multi-year study, I'd recommend against changes until the results of the study can be evaluated and objective changes implemented as deemed necessary. While current observation shows less need for herd reduction than suggested, no one can predict the weather in the next years. If protective changes are indeed needed, special management hunts can be implemented by the department.
As sportsmen and outdoorsmen, become involved and express your views to the department and commission via the website, surveys and at the various meetings (as in Saturday's commisioners meeting) in a polite, informed and persuasive manner.
Doug~RR
The Kaibab is under an Alternative Deer Management Plan where it is to be managed for a harvest of older age class animals and reduced hunter densities.
The objective buck:doe ratio is to be a min of 20:100, and a 60+:100 fawn:doe ratio. Harvest of bucks is to be 55-75% 3+ year old bucks and 20-30% 5+ year old bucks.
Concerns by some outfitter/guides is that the increased number of early tags will result in a harvest higher than the department predicts of 30-35%, and killing many of the younger more vulnerable age class bucks still near summer range (more in the open pines), which would severely impact the number of older bucks in a few years. They advise against the increase in tags and the earlier season.
Last year the number of youth tags was reduced to 100 through the effots of the ADA. This year, in spite of an ongoing study and mention of keeping the Kaibab "status quo", the number of doe permits is being increased to 800 to occur in two hunts. The department says the westside herd has doubled in the past few years and the reduction in deer and breeding does is needed to protect upcoming winter range habitat projects. A couple years ago, two winter range aerial surveys produced a population of 3800-6300 and, G&F reset their models, and now estimate 8000-9000 via the computer model. G&F estimated 4800 in 2002 and 6800 in 2004. No actual/real current population data is available. The fawn:doe ratio has been published as 76, 46, 65, 103, and 86:100 for the years 2001 to 2005 respectively.
Some ADA members recently surveyed the winter and transition range. They found it to be in better shape than G&F says, with water catchments full, good greenup occurring, and few deer now on the winter range. Some 14-16" leader growth was reported on cliffrose, and less than the 60-70% useage (6-7 out of 10 stems nipped) noted by G&F. G&F just completed a study this week, but no data is available yet. No data was given on how far the cliffrose stems were browsed back, though.
As no detrimental impact to the winter range was observed, some recommend that the number of junior permits be reduced. They are in favor of youth hunts, but not at the expense of the Kaibab deer population.
Since G&F and ADA are in the middle of a multi-year study, I'd recommend against changes until the results of the study can be evaluated and objective changes implemented as deemed necessary. While current observation shows less need for herd reduction than suggested, no one can predict the weather in the next years. If protective changes are indeed needed, special management hunts can be implemented by the department.
As sportsmen and outdoorsmen, become involved and express your views to the department and commission via the website, surveys and at the various meetings (as in Saturday's commisioners meeting) in a polite, informed and persuasive manner.
Doug~RR
