Hunt4Elk6x6
Member
- Messages
- 39
I wanted to put this out there to see what people's opinions generally are about the amount of sheep on this unit and if you are seeing overgrazing take place and affecting the habitat holding capacity for deer and elk. I'm sure this unit is not unique to an overabundance of sheep, but it is where I have grown up hunting and recreating and continue to do so. I have seen a lot change over the years and it seems to get worse every year with growing herds of sheep eating everything down to the dirt. I just spent some time on the archery hunt in this unit and it seems everywhere I turned there was another independent herd of sheep in just about every canyon. I even backpacked in several miles off the beaten path only to wake up opening morning to a herd of sheep moving into the canyon I was hunting. As a hunter and a public land user wanting to experience wild places and wild things, it can be really frustrating to watch the sheep have the run of the mountain while the rest of just have to put up with it. I'm sure some can relate, but I'm interested to hear your opinions and if anything can be done about it. I'm by no means wanting to ruffle feathers or cause an uproar on here.
Second topic: The forest service plans to move forward with a massive logging project to clear out 30,000+ acres of forest. As many familiar with the Manti know, bark beetles have killed much of the pines on the unit. Though I understand it to be a problem with some sort of remedy needed, why wasn't any preventative action taken years ago to stop the spreading of the bark beetle problem? The Forest Service just let it take its course and devastate the forest. Perhaps somebody with better knowledge in the subject of botany, etc. might be able to enlighten me. Here is a link to Salt Lake Tribune article detailing the plan and also a link to the Forest Service's Final Decision outline.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2019/06/04/forest-service-unveils/
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52899
I guess what I'm getting at is this: I'm frustrated. I have spent my entire life enjoying this area making memories as a kid with my Dad, having family camping trips, learning how to hunt and fish here, etc. I continue to spend a lot of time on this unit. I've watched as deer numbers have declined and sheep herds increase. I've watched a forest be devastated by an invasive beetle while the Forest Service just stood by. I've watched as prime hunting spots have been logged and landscapes altered and ruined in the past as they have left behind old logging roads for every four wheeler and side by side to use now in areas that once held no roads and lots of wildlife. I've watched public land be sold and posted for private use. I feel like we as the public are continually being stripped of these lands and the opportunities that once came with them. I'll always have the memories I've made over my lifetime on this unit, but I won't be able to make those same memories with my kids or share the same places, camping spots, hunting areas with them as my Dad did with me and his Dad before him. It is all about to be logged and destroyed. Where are all the deer and elk that occupy this area going to go now that their habitat and shelter is being cut down and destroyed? The quality of bucks and bulls are going to suffer tremendously. Maybe it's true, and maybe it isn't, but I can foresee an increase of animals on rancher's and farmer's lands as a result of this and those people growing frustrated with them eating their crops, etc. and thus killing them off and further depleting the population.
I appreciate you reading my rant, but I had to get it out there and off my chest as the negative impact hits in this unit just seem unceasing year after year. Perhaps some will agree and some won't, but I'm interested in any constructive feedback or opinions, but please be courteous and considerate of differing comments/opinions. Thanks!
Second topic: The forest service plans to move forward with a massive logging project to clear out 30,000+ acres of forest. As many familiar with the Manti know, bark beetles have killed much of the pines on the unit. Though I understand it to be a problem with some sort of remedy needed, why wasn't any preventative action taken years ago to stop the spreading of the bark beetle problem? The Forest Service just let it take its course and devastate the forest. Perhaps somebody with better knowledge in the subject of botany, etc. might be able to enlighten me. Here is a link to Salt Lake Tribune article detailing the plan and also a link to the Forest Service's Final Decision outline.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2019/06/04/forest-service-unveils/
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52899
I guess what I'm getting at is this: I'm frustrated. I have spent my entire life enjoying this area making memories as a kid with my Dad, having family camping trips, learning how to hunt and fish here, etc. I continue to spend a lot of time on this unit. I've watched as deer numbers have declined and sheep herds increase. I've watched a forest be devastated by an invasive beetle while the Forest Service just stood by. I've watched as prime hunting spots have been logged and landscapes altered and ruined in the past as they have left behind old logging roads for every four wheeler and side by side to use now in areas that once held no roads and lots of wildlife. I've watched public land be sold and posted for private use. I feel like we as the public are continually being stripped of these lands and the opportunities that once came with them. I'll always have the memories I've made over my lifetime on this unit, but I won't be able to make those same memories with my kids or share the same places, camping spots, hunting areas with them as my Dad did with me and his Dad before him. It is all about to be logged and destroyed. Where are all the deer and elk that occupy this area going to go now that their habitat and shelter is being cut down and destroyed? The quality of bucks and bulls are going to suffer tremendously. Maybe it's true, and maybe it isn't, but I can foresee an increase of animals on rancher's and farmer's lands as a result of this and those people growing frustrated with them eating their crops, etc. and thus killing them off and further depleting the population.
I appreciate you reading my rant, but I had to get it out there and off my chest as the negative impact hits in this unit just seem unceasing year after year. Perhaps some will agree and some won't, but I'm interested in any constructive feedback or opinions, but please be courteous and considerate of differing comments/opinions. Thanks!