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Every Mule deer hunter in Utah should take this survey
[url "http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=6oB22mD2hJZnyoSIsU0njg_3d_3d"]http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=6oB22mD2hJZnyoSIsU0njg_3d_3d[/url]
Sounds like the DWR is planning some changes.
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Nice survey. Sounds like the biggest changes will be in limited entry hunting, and closing areas to ATV/Motorcycle use.
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It's going to be very interesting to see what they do in the next couple of years.
They also put some emphasis on "Trophy Hunting" and managing the deer so hunters can see more and bigger bucks. That would be nice, but it won't come without sacrifice. Some of those questions were hard to answer.
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I took the survey last night. I love the idea of at least researching some changes. There were some questions I had to stop to think about for a while. Personally a state wide 3 point or better regulation with a certain number of over the counter "any buck deer" tags for number control would be a great idea. I've read several things about some "white tail" states that have done this and had great success with the maturity of their deer herds. I know mule deer in the west have entirely different management strategies, but even though I don't want to give up the opportunity to hunt every year, I would gladly trade killing a small deer 4 out of every 5 years for killing a mature buck once every five years.
Over the last several years I've installed a personal 3 pt or better rule, so my opinion is a little biased, because if the entire state enforced my personal rules it would be much easier on me to find the deer I'm looking for.
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I could go for that also. Way too many small deer taken every year. Would be nice to get out and see a couple 4 points once in a while instead of 20 baby spikes and two points all over the place.
I like the idea of several small seasons. That would reduce the hunting pressure a bit. I also like the idea of maybe having a early season rifle hunt and a late season archery hunt in some areas to make it a little harder for the rifle hunters and easier for the bow hunters. Several seasons would spread everything out really well.
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Hey man, great survey. Can't wait to see what they decide to do with the deer hunting. Should be very interesting, sure would be nice to see more mature bucks on a regular basis.
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Seeing larger deer would be great. Only problem is that DWR sets new limits, herds and size of bucks go up and then the state sets a limit on the number of deer in a given area. Hunters are almost never given the chance to harvest these animals and they are taken out by the DWR or a special hunt closed to most of the general public. If they want to close a area down, limit access or have a point restriction area I think there needs to be a set law to make sure that once the bucks are there the general public that waited are the ones that get to hunt the deer.
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Just heard a big rumor that the DWR already has some changes in mind. This is not set in stone, but the DWR is pretty serious about it.
2009
The big 5 hunting units (N, NE, C, S, SE) will be divided up into 24 units and will be micro-managed.
[cool] It's about time.
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Woohoo! [cool]
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[#6000bf]Thanks for posting the survey. Utah's biggest failure has been our Mule Deer herds. My gratitude goes to those that are trying to make the changes. To say I am excited is an understatement.[/#6000bf]
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[#6000bf]One only has to look at Colorado to see the potential. While Utah is not exactly the same as Colorado, we do have many things in common (geography).[/#6000bf]
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[#6000bf]My idea is to micro manage the units. Have trophy areas and have "medium" potential areas. Have youth only seasons.[/#6000bf]
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[#6000bf]I would be happy to give up hunting deer every year in order to go on a "trophy" hunt every few years.[/#6000bf]
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"[#6000bf] Have trophy areas and have "medium" potential areas."[/#6000bf]
[#6000bf]Man I wish the DWR would get that thinking with the elk herds also. We have way to many LE units here. We need more medium potential units for elk here. Maybe that would help with the overcrowding/ overhunting of the uinta's. [/#6000bf]
[#6000bf]I think the DWR did great in improving the herd numbers from 15 years ago, but now they are being greedy and setting the whole state up for rich hunters and the lucky few who draw a LE tag once in their lifetime.[/#6000bf]
[#6000bf]But as for the deer, I'm glad to see that they are looking into the best intrest of the herds.[/#6000bf]
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