ICMDEER
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 3,011
This will be kinda long, so bear with me. We have been at the edges of this controversy off and on forever. I have gone to the season setting meetings for over 20 years and have been asking for these sorts of changes for over a decade. Game and Fish is steadfast in their response that "there is no biological need" for any change in Wyoming deer management and that "hunters do not and will not support any significant changes." The G&F season setting meetings are going on right now. I'll go to two meetings in the next two weeks and will ask for positive change in mule deer management.
Can any of you support these sorts of changes? If so, go to a meeting or write to the Wyoming Game and Fish and let them know your thoughts.
For background, let's establish that it is well documented that the number of hunters has been on a steady decline for a long time. People simply have lost interest. The stewards of our wildlife resources have a responsibility to provide the types of hunts that enthuse people about hunting. This means that we should strive for some hunts that provide opportunity, and others that provide for a high quality experience. This would be one means of keeping a diverse group of hunters interested.
Anyway, here's what I ask for:
1. All mule deer managed by area. The 2008 regs show 171 deer areas in Wyoming. Each area should be managed as a unit. This will provide better management and provide more opportunities for diverse hunters. (THE BIG QUESTION IS IF IT HAS BEEN GOOD ENOUGH FOR ANTELOPE IN WYOMING FOR 40 YEARS, WHY ON EARTH CAN WE NOT MANAGE MULE DEER WITH AT LEAST THE SAME LEVEL OF SCRUTINY THAT WE DO ANTELOPE??? sorry for the capitals, BESS.) Areas could be combined if they are alike, but mostly manage as single area.
2. Licenses should be season specific. No archery and rifle hunting for 2-3 months on the same license.
3. Muzzleloader seasons should be used in many areas. No scopes and these could be early or late season licenses depending upon the type of opportunity to be provided.
4. No month-long rifle seasons. Split those seasons if necessary.
5. Some areas managed for quality; some for opportunity. Let locals have MEANINGFUL input in their areas.
6. A percentage of licenses set aside for youth hunters. Perhaps some entire seasons in certain areas set aside for youth.
7. Archery season not just early. Provide some late season archery seasons, too. Same for muzzleloaders.
8. In trophy areas, a higher percentage of licenses go to residents. Sorry noresident hunters, but we live here and Wyoming already has the highest percentage of licenses going to nonresidents.
9. Preference points are a must for residents, and we need these NOW either way. How can G&F say that there's no need for resident preference points when it is highly unlikely I'll ever draw an area 82 deer license or a Red Desert antelope license without points, but a nonresident can save points and eventually draw the license? Amazing logic there.
What do you think? Start hammering away, but above all, contact the Game and Fish or go to a meeting and voice your concern and opinion.
THANKS to all. MM is an amazing forum and the passion of the members makes muley country a better place, whether we agree or disagree.
Can any of you support these sorts of changes? If so, go to a meeting or write to the Wyoming Game and Fish and let them know your thoughts.
For background, let's establish that it is well documented that the number of hunters has been on a steady decline for a long time. People simply have lost interest. The stewards of our wildlife resources have a responsibility to provide the types of hunts that enthuse people about hunting. This means that we should strive for some hunts that provide opportunity, and others that provide for a high quality experience. This would be one means of keeping a diverse group of hunters interested.
Anyway, here's what I ask for:
1. All mule deer managed by area. The 2008 regs show 171 deer areas in Wyoming. Each area should be managed as a unit. This will provide better management and provide more opportunities for diverse hunters. (THE BIG QUESTION IS IF IT HAS BEEN GOOD ENOUGH FOR ANTELOPE IN WYOMING FOR 40 YEARS, WHY ON EARTH CAN WE NOT MANAGE MULE DEER WITH AT LEAST THE SAME LEVEL OF SCRUTINY THAT WE DO ANTELOPE??? sorry for the capitals, BESS.) Areas could be combined if they are alike, but mostly manage as single area.
2. Licenses should be season specific. No archery and rifle hunting for 2-3 months on the same license.
3. Muzzleloader seasons should be used in many areas. No scopes and these could be early or late season licenses depending upon the type of opportunity to be provided.
4. No month-long rifle seasons. Split those seasons if necessary.
5. Some areas managed for quality; some for opportunity. Let locals have MEANINGFUL input in their areas.
6. A percentage of licenses set aside for youth hunters. Perhaps some entire seasons in certain areas set aside for youth.
7. Archery season not just early. Provide some late season archery seasons, too. Same for muzzleloaders.
8. In trophy areas, a higher percentage of licenses go to residents. Sorry noresident hunters, but we live here and Wyoming already has the highest percentage of licenses going to nonresidents.
9. Preference points are a must for residents, and we need these NOW either way. How can G&F say that there's no need for resident preference points when it is highly unlikely I'll ever draw an area 82 deer license or a Red Desert antelope license without points, but a nonresident can save points and eventually draw the license? Amazing logic there.
What do you think? Start hammering away, but above all, contact the Game and Fish or go to a meeting and voice your concern and opinion.
THANKS to all. MM is an amazing forum and the passion of the members makes muley country a better place, whether we agree or disagree.