I hate to hear people say Idaho needs an all draw system right now and that such a system is the only way to improve mule deer numbers.
Will that happen at some point in history? Sadly, it probably will. But there are many things we can do to limit pressure on deer herds while maintaining at least Idaho residents' opportunity to hunt every year.
Continuing to reduce antlerless hunts is something most on here seem to agree about.
I fully support requiring residents to pick a zone or unit for deer, just like we do for elk.
With a general season deer tag right now, anyone in southern Idaho can hunt at least 31 days archery, 21 days general rifle, and 20 days late archery. Do I enjoy that opportunity, hell yes. But that's an awful lot of pressure on deer.
Maybe we need to look at changes to season structures. Maybe the traditional October 10 opener for general deer needs to move up to October 1, and the season end October 10, 14, or 20, whatever it may be. I know that if I'm looking for a big buck on an October general tag, I hunt near Halloween when they are more vulnerable.
Maybe we look at antler/point restrictions or minimums (I know some have said a 4-point minimum creates a 3-point prevalence--I'm not a biologist and I don't have the answer).
Maybe the "general" season October hunts need to go to short range. I hunt with my rifle only every few years. I hunt with archery and muzzleloader tackle every year--it's more fun, period.
Stop managing the Weiser basin as a trophy bear area, and reduce the bear numbers.
No second tags for mule deer, and more liberal whitetail seasons south of the Clearwater. I realize the north central guys may not like this suggestion. But I hunt whitetails 4 out of 5 years. They can simply handle more pressure than mule deer.
Again, I'm not a biologist, but I truly think there are many changes we can make to both boost mule deer numbers and buck age class, while maintaining the traditional Idaho opportunity to hunt every year.