eelgrass
Long Time Member
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Lately I've been trying to figure out why Fish&Game has kept the limit to two deer a year in the B zones. I'm probably going to step on a few toes here but that's OK. I'll try to give my reasons why I think the limit should be one, and you are welcome to tell me why you think I'm wrong.
1.I think deer numbers have fallen over the years, due to many factors. Loss of prime habitat and mountain lions mostly. But regardless of why, numbers are way down. Sure, there are pockets of deer here and there, (but they never seem to last long) and some private ranches have healthy populations. I don't know how F&G counts blacktails, or even if they do, but I doubt if they can justify the two deer limit based on scientific data. It's not like we have concentrated winter grounds to count. Ninety percent of my hunting friends complain about very few deer. Are we all wrong? I doubt it.
2. It encourages party hunting. You know the old scenario, "I killed one opening day, so if I get another one my wife/son/buddy has two tags. Someone else can tag it so I can keep hunting." I know guys who kill 3 or 4 deer a year and never tag out.
I think we could have a higher quality hunt if they dropped the limit to one. Maybe even move the season back a bit to have a chance at some cooler weather. Or even have a longer season.
What would be the down side? If the population climbs back they can always go back to two tags.
One of the reasons I worry is because I have almost zero confidence in our states' management policies.
Eel
1.I think deer numbers have fallen over the years, due to many factors. Loss of prime habitat and mountain lions mostly. But regardless of why, numbers are way down. Sure, there are pockets of deer here and there, (but they never seem to last long) and some private ranches have healthy populations. I don't know how F&G counts blacktails, or even if they do, but I doubt if they can justify the two deer limit based on scientific data. It's not like we have concentrated winter grounds to count. Ninety percent of my hunting friends complain about very few deer. Are we all wrong? I doubt it.
2. It encourages party hunting. You know the old scenario, "I killed one opening day, so if I get another one my wife/son/buddy has two tags. Someone else can tag it so I can keep hunting." I know guys who kill 3 or 4 deer a year and never tag out.
I think we could have a higher quality hunt if they dropped the limit to one. Maybe even move the season back a bit to have a chance at some cooler weather. Or even have a longer season.
What would be the down side? If the population climbs back they can always go back to two tags.
One of the reasons I worry is because I have almost zero confidence in our states' management policies.
Eel