Idaho Mule Deer Management with Eric Freeman

[robby denning]

Idaho Mule Deer Management with Eric Freeman

Robby hosts Eric Freeman, Idaho Fish & Game Regional Wildlife Biologist. They discuss the historic low of the Caribou Mule Deer herd after the '23 killer winter

www.rokslide.com

 

[Solowhunter]

I've been waiting for this podcast. I realize there's been a substantial decline with the Caribou mule deer herd....... but 25/100 seems like there's still a decent population. Not like it used to be but the strong did survive.

I know of a guy that wrote a book that would still hunt it.

 

[Grundy53]

Just listened to it. Great episode. It's nice to hear it's not all doom and gloom.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[Customweld]

@robby denning, great podcast. It would be great if all of that information could be conveyed during the spring open houses.

 

[robby denning]

@robby denning, great podcast. It would be great if all of that information could be conveyed during the spring open houses.

thanks for the listen. not sure the timing on the article release and the commission meetings in March, but most of the cutbacks in opportunity came last year right after the hard winter, dropped antlerless harvest and trimmed controlled hunt tags, right after the hard winter, so I don't think they changed much for this year.

 

[Customweld]

thanks for the listen. not sure the timing on the article release and the commission meetings in March, but most of the cutbacks in opportunity came last year right after the hard winter, dropped antlerless harvest and trimmed controlled hunt tags, right after the hard winter, so I don't think they changed much for this year.

Not much changed at all. I think the point I was trying to make is all of the complaining that you see across various forums and even worse, the FB hunting pages. Folks that are constantly on IFG's butt about poor deer numbers (I complain about some of their decisions as well), that don't understand all of the factors that influence mule deer herd health. Eric is right, we can build deer, but we need favorable weather conditions.
It would be nice if the average hunter could listen to the podcasts that you have put together, it may open their eyes to the fact that just limiting hunter harvest isn't going to grow every herd back to the historical highs.

 

[robby denning]

Not much changed at all. I think the point I was trying to make is all of the complaining that you see across various forums and even worse, the FB hunting pages. Folks that are constantly on IFG's butt about poor deer numbers (I complain about some of their decisions as well), that don't understand all of the factors that influence mule deer herd health. Eric is right, we can build deer, but we need favorable weather conditions.
It would be nice if the average hunter could listen to the podcasts that you have put together, it may open their eyes to the fact that just limiting hunter harvest isn't going to grow every herd back to the historical highs.

got it, thanks for the clarify.

that's why I put these out, so people can hear both sides...make better decisions.

 

[idelkslayer]

I just listened this weekend. I appreciated Robby's comments about the Southeast Region Mule Deer Advisory Committee. I am very concerned about what could come out of that committee. Too many hunters have short term memories and think the sky has fallen. I'm worried that an advisory committee with the wrong people on it will make broad sweeping changes in response to a short term problem. I wish every mule deer hunter in the state would listen to the series of interviews Robby has done this last year with biologists from all over the region.

 

[Customweld]

I just listened this weekend. I appreciated Robby's comments about the Southeast Region Mule Deer Advisory Committee. I am very concerned about what could come out of that committee. Too many hunters have short term memories and think the sky has fallen. I'm worried that an advisory committee with the wrong people on it will make broad sweeping changes in response to a short term problem. I wish every mule deer hunter in the state would listen to the series of interviews Robby has done this last year with biologists from all over the region.

It's the same thing year after year. Hunters complain that something needs to be done. IFG sets up open houses prior to season settings and a dozen people show up. Then when they go to put in for hunts or buy their tags, they are pissed that their old go to hunt is no longer the same or has been eliminated. I agree with your concerns, a few vocal folks with short term memory is going to get us relegated to hunting deer every 3-5 years.

 

[robby denning]

I just listened this weekend. I appreciated Robby's comments about the Southeast Region Mule Deer Advisory Committee. I am very concerned about what could come out of that committee. Too many hunters have short term memories and think the sky has fallen. I'm worried that an advisory committee with the wrong people on it will make broad sweeping changes in response to a short term problem. I wish every mule deer hunter in the state would listen to the series of interviews Robby has done this last year with biologists from all over the region.

It's the same thing year after year. Hunters complain that something needs to be done. IFG sets up open houses prior to season settings and a dozen people show up. Then when they go to put in for hunts or buy their tags, they are pissed that their old go to hunt is no longer the same or has been eliminated. I agree with your concerns, a few vocal folks with short term memory is going to get us relegated to hunting deer every 3-5 years.

Thanks you guys.

Same concerns here.

It sounds cheesy to ask, but if you want more people to hear these episodes so they can make better decisions on the issues, this is what we need:

--Comment in this thread like you have
--share the info with friends, etc.
--and give the Rokcast reviews on your podcast platform (Apple, etc) that mention specifially why people should engage with these episodes. That's better than "great podcast, learn a ton". We like those but they don't necessarily give people a specific reason to listen

Frankly, the biologist episodes are not our most downloaded so we're actually shooting ourselves in the foot by running them vs the typical clickbait titles like "Get a B&C buck tonight after work with these three steps" lol

I'm not in this just for the downloads, but if we want more people to engage, we have to play the algorithm game. Just how it is.

Thanks everyone!! (Travis & Sam say the same)

 

[Kwmountainman]

From what i'm reading/hearing is that there is a proposal put forth by the SE Idaho mule deer advisory committee to eliminate rifle season in GMU 76 and create a muzzleloader season while keeping Status Quo for archery. This all under the umbrella of "creating bigger bucks" and better opportunity. This is a prime example of hunters shooting themselves in the foot and further restricting ourselves to benefit a smaller user group (muzzy/archery). Sure the deer population took it on the chin just like WY deer in G/H did. This is attempt to change the season is coined as a "temporary study" but in reality if it passes it's likely to not get reinstated to how it is now - when does that really happen. Once a season is gone, its hard to bring it back.

Isn't Idaho an opportunity state? Most hunters would rather have the opportunity to hunt over being restricted like this proposal. I see this as a way to impact youth hunting as well. Most youth hunters will rifle hunt over archery/muzzleloader.

If this concerns you and you rifle hunt in this area, voice your concern during the public comment period.

 

[robby denning]

From what i'm reading/hearing is that there is a proposal put forth by the SE Idaho mule deer advisory committee to eliminate rifle season in GMU 76 and create a muzzleloader season while keeping Status Quo for archery. This all under the umbrella of "creating bigger bucks" and better opportunity. This is a prime example of hunters shooting themselves in the foot and further restricting ourselves to benefit a smaller user group (muzzy/archery). Sure the deer population took it on the chin just like WY deer in G/H did. This is attempt to change the season is coined as a "temporary study" but in reality if it passes it's likely to not get reinstated to how it is now - when does that really happen. Once a season is gone, its hard to bring it back.

Isn't Idaho an opportunity state? Most hunters would rather have the opportunity to hunt over being restricted like this proposal. I see this as a way to impact youth hunting as well. Most youth hunters will rifle hunt over archery/muzzleloader.

If this concerns you and you rifle hunt in this area, voice your concern during the public comment period.

yes, definitely particpate in the comment period.

I just got an email that the public meetings are scheduled but I didn't see the proposals linked up yet.

Gonna be super interesting to see how the public accepts the proposal you mentioned. I could see it going either way: shot down or modified but I'll be a little surprised if it passes as proposed.

thanks for chiming in.

 

[Customweld]

yes, definitely particpate in the comment period.

I just got an email that the public meetings are scheduled but I didn't see the proposals linked up yet.

Gonna be super interesting to see how the public accepts the proposal you mentioned. I could see it going either way: shot down or modified but I'll be a little surprised if it passes as proposed.

thanks for chiming in.

I don't think they are releasing proposals until tomorrow.