Paunsaugunt Winter Kill
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JakeH
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Not a very large sample size for the Pauns, but here is some up to date info for the whole state.
BrowningRage
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You should be able to swipe left and see additional pictures. Elk is one of them. Overall, its a 96% survival rate it says...
elkhunterUT
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So awesome that we have this data - while it is a relatively small sample, it tells a much more trustworthy story than some random dude like Elkass riding in his truck with a couple lawyers telling us the sky is falling. 
Certainly some rough pockets for adult and fawn survival (to be expected in northern units), but overall this is encouraging. Elk are doing very well despite the really hard winter, which is what you would expect with their relative hardiness.
Certainly some rough pockets for adult and fawn survival (to be expected in northern units), but overall this is encouraging. Elk are doing very well despite the really hard winter, which is what you would expect with their relative hardiness.
elkassassin
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You Might Wanna Re-Think That!So awesome that we have this data - while it is a relatively small sample, it tells a much more trustworthy story than some random dude like Elkass riding in his truck with a couple lawyers telling us the sky is falling.
The Proof Will Be At The End Of The Day When The Ride Has Been Completed!
JakeH
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This is an independent byu research program they have no incentive to fudge the numbers. Is all this shows is what the collared deer are surviving, and how many are died and what they died of.
They do get help from the biologists, and game wardens to go and investigate what happens when an animal dies, but everything is documented with each death.
The areas on the south slope I've been to the deer seemed to be in decent shape, I haven't been out as much this year but what I have seen has not been overly alarming. But I'm sure there have been areas hit harder.
JakeH
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Here is another post that guy put out yesterday that shows how good of condition the deer are in on some of the southern units.
JakeH
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And just for some context here is another post he did showing how bad some of the northern units are doing.
If it was all lies then why post any of the negative stuff?
If it was all lies then why post any of the negative stuff?
JakeH
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Fair enough, but it does tell a more complete story then we have ever had before, and rather than blind speculation it is hard evidence as to what is going on.
Whether it is a big enough sample size to extrapolate it to the entire population is yet to be determined, and I think they would tell you the same thing. But it is hard data and is extremely useful.
elkassassin
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Everybody Put In for The PAUNS!
I Seen Two 40"ERS Last Fall Down There!
You Might Need Your Kuiu Arizona Version of Camo Though!
I Seen Two 40"ERS Last Fall Down There!
You Might Need Your Kuiu Arizona Version of Camo Though!
Soj51hopeful
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The bone marrow fat is a pretty neat observation. I haven’t seen that before.
D_Hoyt
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I grew up down there and from what my friend and family have told me, it was a pretty normal year when it comes to winter kill. The drought has severely limited fawn recruitment on that unit, and the Zion general unit, over the past several years. Personally, I think this will be a great year to draw and hunt the Paunsaugunt. If you look at the Rangeland Analysis Platform and run data for that area, forage availability has been down trending for a decade, but I guarantee you it will spike back up this year. The whole seed bank will grow this spring. It's going to be a whole new world by late May. ?
Bwht4x4
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I have a hard time believing that Pauns deer died from winterkill this year. They are highly migratory and leave the upper elevations quite early and generally prior to even the first snow storms. Snow depths on their winter grounds generally aren't that deep and nearly every day this year from Jan to March the days were above freezing temps.
