RE: I hate to admit it
Utah's deer herds have increased from approximately 225,000 in 1995 to around 350,000 today. That is the direct result of increased habitat restoration, coyote control, less lions, and better moisture conditions. No one can prove exactly what proportions all those factors play.
With more does, there will be more bucks. Even with buck harvest of young bucks, there will still be more young bucks survive with 300,000 does having 70 fawns, veruses 200,000 does having 50 fawns.
Everyone agrees that there are more bucks, and more mature bucks.
The buck doe ratio average on Utah's general season units today is around 17. IN 1991, prior to the die of it was only 7, some units were as low as 3 bucks per 100 does. So, even before teh big winter die off, there are more bucks and more mature bucks on Utah's general season units than in the late 1980s.
If the hunter harvest stays around where it is in 2006, and the herd continues to increase - predator control better habitat, good weather, there will be even more young and old bucks.
In watching deer herds, after the opening weekend volley, the deer seem to get nocturnal, stay in cover. AFter 3-4 days of silence, they come out again, and get hammered again the second weekend. For this reason, i think a 5 day season reduces the buck harvest. The killers are going to kill their buck whenever they see it. The five day hunt makes it harder to see them, after the opening day, Thus reduces buck harvest, my opinion.
Data shows clearly that Pine Valley 4 bucks per 100, now around 20, and Nebo, 5 bucks, went up to around 20 showed increased buck/doe ratios with 5 day hunts. Other very key factor is the last couple of years, a mid week snow storm can really save bucks in a 5 day versus 9 day hunt, and without question, units like the Pine Valley, where deer migrate out of the high country to winter range - where they are very vulnerabel, get hammered on 9 day hunt verus 5 day hunt.
one point of fact, the Book Cliffs and Henry Mountains 4 point or better produced more big bucks. But, there was a lot of illegal kills of two points as well.
The 3 point restriction was then taken off the Henry Mts. and Book Cliffs for about 4 years of any buck hunting. Buck/doe ratios dropped dramatically after the removal of antrer restrictions.
It was after the any buck hunting, and drought, and high predators populations that lead to low deer numbers, 4 bucks per 100 does, and closure of the units. So, 4 point or better did save many bucks.
Some said spike elk hunting would never work - to much illegal kills. It took a few years, but reduced illegal kills and now look at the mature bulls.
It would seem, if hunters, for just ONE year, would let the forkies go - especially now that there are large numbers of yearling bucks being produced, would then have significant numbers of 3 and 4 points every year in the future. And anyone who hunts deer knows, that an older mature buck is one of the hardest trophies to hunt, they get pretty smart.
The progress for the deer herd can be long term, if habitat restoration an predator control is continued.
There will be some opportunities to look at tweeking some things to allow for opportunity, and upgrade quality for those who want to hunt mature bucks.
Lots of good ideas, there is NO one correct answer. At least the deer herd is rebounding, and we have some choices to make.
Don