2015/2016 Hunt Recommendations

[JLW]

 

 

 

I do not think they added extra hunts in 22 - 23 for whitetail anyway

 

if I read it correctly they are just changing the hunt dates to nov instead of oct.

 

which I think is a good idea

 

only pisser why not change 21 also ???????

 

No, they added a hunt, but instead of 800 tags (in 22) for one hunt, there are now two hunts with 400 tags each. Same deal for 23, but with different tag totals.

 

NO they moved the hunt later

got rid of October and moved the to NOV

see where it says -285 for 23 and -400 for 22

and then it says +285 for 23 and + 400 for 22 with the date moved from oct to nov

 

James

 

 

Sorry, James, but you're wrong. Look again. They moved 400 to the new hunt, leaving 400 in the October hunt. They took 285 from the old hunt, moving it to the later hunt. I was at the meeting and have been a part of the discussion for some time on this change.

 

 

your right.....I was looking at it all wrong

my apologies

[elkaholic]

whom ever was part of this whole deal to split the hunts - why not 21!!??

[208muley]

21 will happen just wait. Personally I would like to see some units go back to the way it used to be, modified, to see how it works with today's environment. First hunt, lots of tags but only 4 days, next hunt much fewer tags but 7 days, next hunt fewer tags still but 10 days , last hunt stays the same as it is now. Guys would be able to pick hunts based apoun personal reasons and choices. Guys want to just hunt and get first crack and can only hunt one wknd..... First hunt.... A little cooler with good odds of drawing.... 2nd hunt. Third hunt is cooler but bucks have been hammered so more time and even fewer hunters as a kind of reward. Fourth hunt stays the same as the rut "trophy" hunt with crappy odds but a great hunt with low tags.

 

Just thinking out loud... Maybe something to look at...

[couesmagnet]

What was the rational at the meetings for doing the 2 diff hunts?? Was it simply numbers of hunters in the field? I've been on this hunt many times and never had any issues with hunter density ever from the north to the south end. Not trying to argue with anyone but as Long as you stayed clear of a few spots just like any other unit on opening day everything was fine. Just my opinion. Are there other reasons??

[Heat]

Here is a question for you; Has anyone ever seen the survey data and compared it against the guidelines to see if what they are doing with tag numbers lines up?

 

I know the guidelines and the recommendations are public info, but I haven't ever seen the survey results.

 

I've seen this data for Sheep but no other species. They generally fly the units to do surveys every three years I believe.

[208muley]

From what I heard it was about spreading hunters out. But I may not have the whole story. I think it may be some sort of test to see if this ups the hunter success as well, JMO. The spots where I hunt it doesn't matter how many tags there are I almost never see hunters on whitetail hunts. But spots where I hunt family and friends seem to be very crowded but that's cause they can't physically go as hard as I do. I think it may be a good idea but we will see over time I guess.

[Big Browns]

In 2015 unit 22 has 400 tags in each hunt. I guarantee that number will be double in less than 10 years, maybe even 5 years! Typical, money over management!

[couesmagnet]

I sure hope it's not a way to increase tags. Throwing 50 to a 100 tags on each hunt wouldn't look as bad as throwing 100 to 200 on one hunt. I would think the success rate would go down on the 2 hunt structure. Having a bunch of hunters in the field tends to stir things up so to speak and keep deer moving. At least the smaller bucks.

[Big Browns]

I think the first hunt will be Awesome for the first several years. With only 400 other tag holders in the field most area's will be untouched. 22 & 23 will be fine if they keep the tag numbers where they are at. If they keep raising the tag numbers they will drasticly go down hill even more.

[Flatlander]

I have to crack up at all the guys who are bemoaning all the tag increases. There are 800 fewer tags recommended this year than 2014, which was over 100 fewer than 2013. Tags are being reduced. I don't see unit 22 or 23 doubling the number of tag numbers in the near future, because that is totally inconsistent with what has been taking place in the state. Its simple math, try it sometime.

 

I guess since I don't know what I am doing maybe Couesmagnet could explain how having 3x the number of hunters in the field has no impact on real hunters. Every year I see people working harder, hiking farther into places that I am accustomed to being alone. More hunters in the field means more competition, and more competition will drive people to push themselves more. When you spread those hunters out over three hunts, then there are fewer people in every location at any given time and people don't see the need to do more or go further.

 

I am not sure what issue you think that having multiple hunts is having on these animals since they are not on winter ground trying to keep from starving in deep snow, the rut isn't going on so breeding is not being disrupted, fawns are grown enough to survive on their own, and does aren't pregnant. What damage are we inflicting on these prey animals because of prolonged hunting that they don't already cope with everyday as they try to avoid every other predator in the woods?

[couesmagnet]

Flatlander I was never referencing you or anyone specific so I don't know why you took anything personally. When you have 1000 tags on one hunt that lasts for a week verses 4 or 5 hunts stacked in a row, I think the one hunt is better for the animals overall. Let me ask it this way. If you were being hunted would you rather have a 1000 guys chase you for a week or 250 brand new chomping at the bit guys chase you week after week for 2 months. Remember you could just lay down and hide for a week and avoid everyone thus surviving another year on the one hunt structure, but you wouldn't be able to lay down and hide for 2 months straight on the stratified structure. Skip grazing in the open for one week or skip grazing in the open for 2 months, that's what I was saying. Also hunter days in the field go up per thousand tags on the stratified structure. More hunter days in the field per thousand tags equals more dead deer. More dead deer equals less big bucks. It's actually a rather simple concept.

[Flatlander]

1. You said guys who know what they are doing don't care how many tags there are. I care how many tags there are; therefore I don't know what I am doing. I know this isn't true but was hoping to illustrate a point aboutaking generalizations.

2. I would argue that if you asked the deer, they would prefer no hunters in the field, so if we are taking their vote let's just do that.

3. I disagree that Hunter days goes up with the stratified structure. More hunters on opening weekend for me means I am hunting more of the weekdays to escape the crowd.

 

Just a differing opinion.

[couesmagnet]

Flatlander your right on line number 1 in your response. I don't know what i'm doing either half the time. Shouldn't have phrased it that way, that's not what i meant. Everything is just an opinion after all.

[TOBY]

More tags in 20c? 700 wasn't enough last year so put 400 more in. This is stupid on all levels to anyone who has been on a hunt here. They must count all the deer on Maughn ranches and all the other ranches you can't get through to hunt when they do the survey. I don't think they had this many tags when 20c and 20b were one unit back in the day when the numbers were good. Redickyouless G$F!