Idaho Mule Deer 2020-2025 Management Plan

[Customweld]

This is a long read, but well worth it. Changes are on the horizon.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/plan-deer-mule-2020-25.pdf

 

[BennyBeaver]

Thanks for posting that. It looks like the scenarios from the earlier surveys we filled out might take place for better or worse.

 

[Rob5589]

Long but enlightening. Thanks for posting.

 

[Customweld]

Thanks for posting that. It looks like the scenarios from the earlier surveys we filled out might take place for better or worse.

What's your opinion @BennyBeaver ?

 

[BennyBeaver]

It was a lot of information to digest. I thought if they do change the Hybrid-general controlled hunt sounded promising. They would let you hunt any general unit oct 10-24 but if you applied and drew you could also hunt Oct 1st-5th and Oct 25-31st.(Thats how I understood it, maybe I am wrong.)
All I know is in my town Fruitland, every empty field has new houses being built. I like the general seasons now but with population growth something will need to be done.

 

[Rob5589]

Something that jumped out, very few responses to the surveys. Especially from non res. I always submit them as it takes a few minutes.

On June 4 IDFG sent an email to 60,531 resident deer hunters encouraging them to review and comment on the Plan. On June 19 IDFG resent the email request to 60,483 residents who had not responded to the June 4 email; 18,241 nonresident deer hunters also received emails requesting input on the draft Plan. These outreach efforts yielded 518 unique submissions...

Other take-aways; antler point restrictions don't generally work; huge increase in atv's; huge increase in calls regarding poaching. The illegal atv riding is a true problem that needs addressing.

The split seasons seem interesting and doable. Choosing your weapon is interesting as well.

Also interesting was lions were more of an issue than wolves.

While there are residents that feel that non residents are hunting Idaho in huge numbers, only 14% hunting deer are non res. Some zones saw as high as 30% non res participation but that issue has been addressed.

 

[Customweld]

Something that jumped out, very few responses to the surveys. Especially from non res. I always submit them as it takes a few minutes.

On June 4 IDFG sent an email to 60,531 resident deer hunters encouraging them to review and comment on the Plan. On June 19 IDFG resent the email request to 60,483 residents who had not responded to the June 4 email; 18,241 nonresident deer hunters also received emails requesting input on the draft Plan. These outreach efforts yielded 518 unique submissions...

Other take-aways; antler point restrictions don't generally work; huge increase in atv's; huge increase in calls regarding poaching. The illegal atv riding is a true problem that needs addressing.

The split seasons seem interesting and doable. Choosing your weapon is interesting as well.

Also interesting was lions were more of an issue than wolves.

While there are residents that feel that non residents are hunting Idaho in huge numbers, only 14% hunting deer are non res. Some zones saw as high as 30% non res participation but that issue has been addressed.

The low participation rate has been an ongoing issue for a long time. One of the things that really stands out is habitat. That is the biggest thing concerning the animal population. You don't have to look any farther than the outskirts of virtually every town in Idaho to see winter ground being lost to development. A lot of times, winter feeding is no benefit for mule deer. It simply takes too long for their digestive enzymes to adjust. You can eliminate 90 percent of tags allotted for 5 years and one bad winter can come in and wipe all of that gain out. Every year IFG has volunteer projects, from seed collection and bitterbrush planting to old barbed wire fence removal. Very few hunters show up for any of these projects.
Benny is right, change is going to be needed in the future. I like the choose your weapon strategy.