elks96
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 3,800
So we all know the deer issues etc. Lots of options and lots of opinions.
So I had a few thoughts to throw out there...
First of all the state managers work for us. Granted they have to consider several different user groups, political influence, etc. But ultimately they work for the residents of WY. With that being said, I believe that the only way they are going to work is through our pressure... With that being said, here are a few things I think they should tackle...
1. Mandatory Reporting after every hunt. What units you hunted, what and how many days in that unit, were you successful, what did you kill. Once we have this good solid data we might see some easy tweaks to the season structures etc. But to fully understand the issue we need the data.
2. Put more restrictions on NR. Now I am not saying get rid of NR but adjust seasons to adjust pressure. Shorter seasons for NR? Resident only for first 3 days? Make NR pick a specific unit with in a region to spread pressure.
3. Shorten seasons... Areas where the numbers are really down, go to a 4 day hunt? But it seems crazy that some areas with low numbers are open for 2 weeks.
4. Make residents select a region on a general tag and stay only in that region? This gives residents access to licenses every year, but prevents unit hoping etc. If you want to hunt G then G it is... (Maybe create a bonus tag that you can apply for that allows only a small percent of general tags be good in all general units? Revenue generation stream?)
5. Create regional committee/working groups to identify areas that can become walkin access only closing of vehicle access during hunting season. This will create sanctuary areas especially in desert areas where the animals have a chance to escape the constant pressure of ATVs on every ridge and in every bottom. These areas could work similar to other areas where vehicle access is permitted at set times only when retrieving an animal with a punched license. (For the areas I hunt, I have no doubt that this one adjustment could make a significant difference in the quality of the hunt and of the deer).
What do you think? I know some may not be popular, but the very last thing I want is for state wide draw... I will make some sacrifices as a resident to avoid a state wide draw at all cost...
So I had a few thoughts to throw out there...
First of all the state managers work for us. Granted they have to consider several different user groups, political influence, etc. But ultimately they work for the residents of WY. With that being said, I believe that the only way they are going to work is through our pressure... With that being said, here are a few things I think they should tackle...
1. Mandatory Reporting after every hunt. What units you hunted, what and how many days in that unit, were you successful, what did you kill. Once we have this good solid data we might see some easy tweaks to the season structures etc. But to fully understand the issue we need the data.
2. Put more restrictions on NR. Now I am not saying get rid of NR but adjust seasons to adjust pressure. Shorter seasons for NR? Resident only for first 3 days? Make NR pick a specific unit with in a region to spread pressure.
3. Shorten seasons... Areas where the numbers are really down, go to a 4 day hunt? But it seems crazy that some areas with low numbers are open for 2 weeks.
4. Make residents select a region on a general tag and stay only in that region? This gives residents access to licenses every year, but prevents unit hoping etc. If you want to hunt G then G it is... (Maybe create a bonus tag that you can apply for that allows only a small percent of general tags be good in all general units? Revenue generation stream?)
5. Create regional committee/working groups to identify areas that can become walkin access only closing of vehicle access during hunting season. This will create sanctuary areas especially in desert areas where the animals have a chance to escape the constant pressure of ATVs on every ridge and in every bottom. These areas could work similar to other areas where vehicle access is permitted at set times only when retrieving an animal with a punched license. (For the areas I hunt, I have no doubt that this one adjustment could make a significant difference in the quality of the hunt and of the deer).
What do you think? I know some may not be popular, but the very last thing I want is for state wide draw... I will make some sacrifices as a resident to avoid a state wide draw at all cost...