Region W

fullthrottle

Very Active Member
Messages
1,359
So... did they end the 4 point or better restrictions? Apparently they did, any thoughts on this or the current condition of the deer herd in this area.
 
Tons of little bucks, the herds are down and the age structure was really hurt by the point restrictions. You will see some bigger 3s but the overwhelming majority of 4 points will be small 22-24" basket bucks 3 years old.
 
How did a point restriction hurt the age structure?
Because nearly all bucks that hit 4 points were killed everyone was forced to hunt for slightly older deer, this the older deer were hammered. When most guy would shoot a three point on Tuesday they were all still hunting til the end of the week looking for 4 points. The point restriction makes a lot of young deer live, but also hurts the older deer because now all 500 tag holders are looking for the older deer...
 
I guess the way i see it, id rather a bunch of young bucks around then hardly any bucks. Better odds of some slipping through the cracks and getting old when theres a bunch at least
 
The point restriction was lifted last year. They killed more bucks in W than they had since 2007. They also killed the second most does since 2007. On a below carrying capacity population (according to G&F), that doesn't sound like a sound management plan. Sounds like a "we need money management plan" or a "ton of little bucks get smoked plan".
IMO it shows that both the point restriction and the removal of said restriction is a way to prop up numbers, to only slaughter the young bucks later on. Not a true management strategy.
Either way, the reality is, it is struggling to be anything close to what it was pre-2007/2008 winter kill.

py
 
The point restriction was lifted last year. They killed more bucks in W than they had since 2007. They also killed the second most does since 2007. On a below carrying capacity population (according to G&F), that doesn't sound like a sound management plan. Sounds like a "we need money management plan" or a "ton of little bucks get smoked plan".
IMO it shows that both the point restriction and the removal of said restriction is a way to prop up numbers, to only slaughter the young bucks later on. Not a true management strategy.
Either way, the reality is, it is struggling to be anything close to what it was pre-2007/2008 winter kill.

py

No imagination at all. Spent a ton of time on the unit and despite the point restriction the number and quality of bucks is down. No way around it. Probably not the restrictions by themselves but as mentioned there was a lot of bucks hammered last year...
 
I hunted W the last 2 years. 2018 was better with early snows but last year their was more guys hunting on the last day than I’ve ever seen. Usually it’s a ghost town by then. Lot of small bucks and went home with tag soup which is fine. Son harvested a respectable 4x3 pushing 26 but on private. Biggest buck we saw in 12 days. Still love the unit but getting a tag now is getting harder.
 

Wyoming Hunting Guides & Outfitters

Badger Creek Outfitters

Offering elk, deer and pronghorn hunts on several privately owned ranches.

Urge 2 Hunt

We focus on trophy elk, mule deer, antelope and moose hunts and take B&C bucks most years.

J & J Outfitters

Offering quality fair-chase hunts for trophy mule deer, elk, and moose in Wyoming.


Yellowstone Horse Rentals - Western Wyoming Horses
Back
Top Bottom