I was reading the Utah Mule deer numbers post. Everyone seems to think that we have to decrease hunter numbers. I think that we should just increase deer numbers.
I think that automobiles play a much larger part than hunters ever will in the harvesting of game animals. I've read a few reports where the numbers were a little shocking. I used to work over at Camp Williams and one winter our biologists were keeping track of the deer killed just from Bluffdale to the four corners. From late summer through December there were over 200 deer hit by cars. I'd also be willing to bet that there are 5 or 10 times more deer hit by cars on the Wasatch Front than are killed by hunters. Out where I'm at now on one small road between Altamont and Roosevelt (about 10-15 miles) there were over 40 deer killed by cars a in the winter of 07-08. I can't even count how many deer I've seen dead on the road on I 40 through to Heber. I've lived in Logan and Sardine Canyon was a deer killing machine also. There are countless deer killed on the roadways each year statewide. Lots of Elk and other animals too.
Here? a thought for you. Instead of reducing the hunting numbers go figure out a way to stop the deer from getting hit by cars. I'm pretty sure that statewide there are more deer killed by traffic each year than are ever killed by hunters.
I think that automobiles play a much larger part than hunters ever will in the harvesting of game animals. I've read a few reports where the numbers were a little shocking. I used to work over at Camp Williams and one winter our biologists were keeping track of the deer killed just from Bluffdale to the four corners. From late summer through December there were over 200 deer hit by cars. I'd also be willing to bet that there are 5 or 10 times more deer hit by cars on the Wasatch Front than are killed by hunters. Out where I'm at now on one small road between Altamont and Roosevelt (about 10-15 miles) there were over 40 deer killed by cars a in the winter of 07-08. I can't even count how many deer I've seen dead on the road on I 40 through to Heber. I've lived in Logan and Sardine Canyon was a deer killing machine also. There are countless deer killed on the roadways each year statewide. Lots of Elk and other animals too.
Here? a thought for you. Instead of reducing the hunting numbers go figure out a way to stop the deer from getting hit by cars. I'm pretty sure that statewide there are more deer killed by traffic each year than are ever killed by hunters.