H
high_country_hunter
Guest
So I have been reading the posts regarding the Utah deer hunt and the statement that the Utah DWR cannot reduce tags to help the herd keeps coming up. I am wondering if someone can shed some light on this subject for me. I (hopefully like many of you) will be attend a RAC meeting or two with some ideas. I am wondering what you all think about something like this.
I would like to see the Utah DWR reduce general rife/muzzleloader tags by 20,000 tags. To offset the reduction in tags I would propose that the general deer tag be raised to $50. Now I know a lot of folks will belly-ache about $50 but it is only $15 more. What is that, one steak dinner? Anyhow, with 20,000 fewer muzzy/rifle hunters in the field, hunters will 1) see fewer hunters, 2) see more deer and 3) see an increase in more mature deer..over time. The tag reduction would also limit how often one could hunt deer in Utah. You would probably only be able to hunt every other year. I know that I would rather hunt every other year, see fewer hunters and see bigger deer then deal with what we have now. I have spoken to many friends who think the extra $15 and not hunting every year would be worth it. What say you?
Just think, if the success rate is 20%, in 3-4 years we would have 4000 more 4 points in the state. We would get to hunt larger deer and there would be more mature bucks to breed. This is turn would help to strengthen our herd.
I would also like to see a mandatory harvest report here in Utah. I think that is the only way we can really know how many deer are killed each year. If the state needs data to make informed decisions, I think this one should be near the top.
Anyhow, I think there will come a point when we as hunters will need to say enough is enough. We do not have a right to kill a deer every year and opportunity is not the only thing that matters. The experience and privilege to hunt these magnificent animals should be at the forefront. If we can find ways to strengthen the herd, everything else will fall into place. Just my 2 cents is all.
Let me know what you think and I'll look forward to hearing other opinions at the RAC meetings. I don't agree with a 2 hunt season, especially with the same number of tags.
I would like to see the Utah DWR reduce general rife/muzzleloader tags by 20,000 tags. To offset the reduction in tags I would propose that the general deer tag be raised to $50. Now I know a lot of folks will belly-ache about $50 but it is only $15 more. What is that, one steak dinner? Anyhow, with 20,000 fewer muzzy/rifle hunters in the field, hunters will 1) see fewer hunters, 2) see more deer and 3) see an increase in more mature deer..over time. The tag reduction would also limit how often one could hunt deer in Utah. You would probably only be able to hunt every other year. I know that I would rather hunt every other year, see fewer hunters and see bigger deer then deal with what we have now. I have spoken to many friends who think the extra $15 and not hunting every year would be worth it. What say you?
Just think, if the success rate is 20%, in 3-4 years we would have 4000 more 4 points in the state. We would get to hunt larger deer and there would be more mature bucks to breed. This is turn would help to strengthen our herd.
I would also like to see a mandatory harvest report here in Utah. I think that is the only way we can really know how many deer are killed each year. If the state needs data to make informed decisions, I think this one should be near the top.
Anyhow, I think there will come a point when we as hunters will need to say enough is enough. We do not have a right to kill a deer every year and opportunity is not the only thing that matters. The experience and privilege to hunt these magnificent animals should be at the forefront. If we can find ways to strengthen the herd, everything else will fall into place. Just my 2 cents is all.
Let me know what you think and I'll look forward to hearing other opinions at the RAC meetings. I don't agree with a 2 hunt season, especially with the same number of tags.