Mule Deer Foundation Members
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:04 pm
Out of curiosity, how many of you out there belong to MDF? If not do you belong to another organiation? Which one? Would you consider joining the MDF or other similiar organization?
I recently attended a meeting in Southern Utah regarding the MDF.
We had the chance to listen to a current Divison of Wildlife Officer and a former officer for 30 years (retired last year).
I asked a couple of questions out of concern for the Mule Deer problems in Utah and other Western States.
For those familiar with the Pine Valley Unit in Southern Utah, I asked had the 5 day hunt had any change or success on the deer herd. The officers reply was that there was approximately 16,000 deer on this unit before the 5 day hunt and now there is 10-11,000. Wow! He attributed this to mainly drought. Which I can't argue with, the drought is and has been terrible here.
A question was also asked what effect coyotes have on fawns and mule deer. The officer said coyotes kill fawns "right and left", no so much adults. He said in order to make any difference in the mule deer population, you need to kill 60-65% of the coyote population for 2-3 years in a row. This is done through a variety of methods, which include: denning, aerial control, bait, trapping, etc.
For those familiar with the Zion and Panguitch Units, he pointed out there is less than 10 bucks per 100 does. This explains the reason I never saw a horn on the archery hunt in this area.
A 3 or 4 point or better option was also discussed. To which the officer said bad idea, won't work. Already been tried and failed.
Basically Utah hunters in general think "shoot 1st, count points later". Don't know what other states are like. But that's the way it is here.
A lot of Utah hunters don't care what they kill, just the fact that they kill something. Crud I thought that when I was a teenager, but certainly not now. How many 60 year olds would shoot a 2-point if they have already shot several of them over the years?
I also asked about closing down units for 2-3 years at a time and then when one unit re-opens close another one. This would definitly increase the number of bucks. To which the DWR officer agreed.
Yes this would be less money for the DWR, and cause a few other concerns. The question is, is it worth it?? But when you have a gaping wound (which I feel Utah deer herd does). The the "bandaid" approach will do nothing. A tourniquet needs to be applied.
I recently attended a meeting in Southern Utah regarding the MDF.
We had the chance to listen to a current Divison of Wildlife Officer and a former officer for 30 years (retired last year).
I asked a couple of questions out of concern for the Mule Deer problems in Utah and other Western States.
For those familiar with the Pine Valley Unit in Southern Utah, I asked had the 5 day hunt had any change or success on the deer herd. The officers reply was that there was approximately 16,000 deer on this unit before the 5 day hunt and now there is 10-11,000. Wow! He attributed this to mainly drought. Which I can't argue with, the drought is and has been terrible here.
A question was also asked what effect coyotes have on fawns and mule deer. The officer said coyotes kill fawns "right and left", no so much adults. He said in order to make any difference in the mule deer population, you need to kill 60-65% of the coyote population for 2-3 years in a row. This is done through a variety of methods, which include: denning, aerial control, bait, trapping, etc.
For those familiar with the Zion and Panguitch Units, he pointed out there is less than 10 bucks per 100 does. This explains the reason I never saw a horn on the archery hunt in this area.
A 3 or 4 point or better option was also discussed. To which the officer said bad idea, won't work. Already been tried and failed.
Basically Utah hunters in general think "shoot 1st, count points later". Don't know what other states are like. But that's the way it is here.
A lot of Utah hunters don't care what they kill, just the fact that they kill something. Crud I thought that when I was a teenager, but certainly not now. How many 60 year olds would shoot a 2-point if they have already shot several of them over the years?
I also asked about closing down units for 2-3 years at a time and then when one unit re-opens close another one. This would definitly increase the number of bucks. To which the DWR officer agreed.
Yes this would be less money for the DWR, and cause a few other concerns. The question is, is it worth it?? But when you have a gaping wound (which I feel Utah deer herd does). The the "bandaid" approach will do nothing. A tourniquet needs to be applied.