Any basketball fan, especially a Philadelphia Sixers fan, will no that whenever a critical play or basket is needed they look to "The Answer"; or better known as Allen Iverson. So What is the answer to the continued decline and downward spiral of mule deer herds throughout the western United States? Well, there is probably several factors. But rather than looking at what causes the problems, I propose a solution or "The Answer".

The answer is simply this, to select a unit or section of each state every 3 years and simply close the area. That's right, close the area entirely for three years. Maybe the number of years can be adjusted to as many as five years depending on how bad the unit or region is suffering. Some units are definitely worse than others. Then as soon as the area is re-opened, close another area. So that on any given year some portion of the state will be closed to hunting.

Let me give a few examples of this process in action. First off the Paunsaugunt Plateau in Southern Utah was closed around the year 1988 for about 3 to 5 years. After re-opening it quickly became the hot spot for trophy bucks, big ones, and plenty of them. The buck to doe ratio sky rocketed as well a the total number of deer and the size of deer also. Another success story includes the Henry Mountains in South-Eastern Utah. It was closed for a few years and when the unit re-opened it became a "hot spot" for plenty of bucks.

So why doesn't the Division of Wildlife Resources close down a section every year? I don't know exactly. Money is probably the main culpret. But I believe closing sections of the state is "The Answer"

Now of course there are other alternatives which include: 1. Instead of an 9 day hunt for rifle for example, shorten the time period on a unit down to a five day hunt. But this doesn't solve the problem. This is simple a band-aid approach. In order for a deer herd to recover, mule deer simply need to be left alone for a period of time. A five day hunt still gives plenty of time/chance for the deer to be killed, chased, harassed, and scattered. The 2-point bucks need a chance to reach 4-points and the few 4-points out there need a chance o mature to something bigger. How often do you see a buck taken that is bigger than a 4-point? Take for example the Pine Valley Unit in Southwestern Utah (which is currently on the 5 day hunt plan) and has been for a number of years now. Well I propose that 4-point bucks aren't taken very often, how often does the average hunter see a 4-point on the hunt? Remember a 4-point is typically a 4 year old deer. I hunted for several days last year in Southern Utah and never saw anything bigger than a 2-point. And remember Southern Utah is suppose to be the "hot bed" or most popular area to hunt in the state of Utah.

So above lies the "The Answer" now lets see the Division of Wildlife Resources do something drastic about the struggling mule deer herds. Because lets face it, band-aids won't help when the wound is to big and deep. The problem of declining mule deer in size and numbers is pretty drastic. So lets all band together and take action to let the mule deer herds mature a bit, before we slaughter them. I'd personally much rather hunt every couple of years and have a chance a decent buck than chase around 2-points every fall. What about you?