New Utah Weapon restriction hunts

[180ls1]

I am glad someone is stepping up and trying it. Even if it does not work out.

 

[bigsky2]

Because the average person can’t consistently kill a deer with the old allowable weapons.

People will still get it done but the vast majority won’t and they will complain that they can’t kill them so restrictions will be rolled back.

If people are capable of getting within archery range of a deer, they shouldnt have much of an issue killing deer with restricted muzzleloaders and rifles. People that aren’t capable of getting within reasonable distance of an animal can choose to hunt other units.

 

[CorbLand]

If people are capable of getting within archery range of a deer, they shouldnt have much of an issue killing deer with restricted muzzleloaders and rifles. People that aren’t capable of getting within reasonable distance of an animal can choose to hunt other units.

There are a lot of dedicated rifle hunters that are not capable of killing with archery equipment. Same with muzzleloader guys. 70-80% of those hunters can’t consistently kill with what has been allowed for years.

I worry that those people will complain. Utah will roll back restrictions due to them complaining and are going to get in endless cycle of restrictions to grow bigger bucks and rollback restrictions so people can kill all the bucks they see running around. Nothing more, nothing less. That is my concern.


Here is a good thread where this topic was discussed before, during and after the RAC/Board process.

Thread 'Get Better Mule Deer Hunting'

Nov 25, 2024

Get Better Mule Deer Hunting - Rokslide

Travis and Robby discuss some changes that could be on the horizon in at least three western states, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming for better mule deer hunting

www.rokslide.com

• robby denning
• Replies: 150
• Forum: Rokcast

• 

 

[2Stamp]

There are a lot of dedicated rifle hunters that are not capable of killing with archery equipment. Same with muzzleloader guys. 70-80% of those hunters can’t consistently kill with what has been allowed for years.

I worry that those people will complain. Utah will roll back restrictions due to them complaining and are going to get in endless cycle of restrictions to grow bigger bucks and rollback restrictions so people can kill all the bucks they see running around. Nothing more, nothing less. That is my concern.

Reminds me of back in the early 90s when the Muzzleloader season was still in November and got changed. The rifle hunters complained all the big bucks were being killed. So the season got changed to late Sep-early Oct. Now, considering what "muzzleloaders" are now, I could see that as a concern. Back then, sidelocks/open sights were the majority of the rifles used.

 

[CorbLand]

Reminds me of back in the early 90s when the Muzzleloader season was still in November and got changed. The rifle hunters complained all the big bucks were being killed. So the season got changed to late Sep-early Oct. Now, considering what "muzzleloaders" are now, I could see that as a concern. Back then, sidelocks/open sights were the majority of the rifles used.

If it does work, the late season limited entry muzzy draw odds are going to plummet.

 

[realunlucky]

General seasons should be optimized for opportunity and not trophy quality.

Be interesting to see the data in two years.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[Grundy53]

I'm excited about this change. I would put in this year, but I'm already fairly booked up. I definitely want to put in next year. I wish more states would do this.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

 

[TheTone]

I love the idea and will be super interested to see what the results are. We have seen so many upgrades that help us kill animals better but animals aren’t gaining anything to help them get away better. At some point something has to give. I can fully see seasons like this catching on other places if the hunting and game populations/quality improves

 

[wildwilderness]

Too bad I sold the old 30-30. May be a good excuse to get a new trad bow or a vintage Sharps!

 

[Caseknife]

Have a 1925 Model 54 Win and 1937 Model 70 Win in the safe that would like these hunts.

 

[Beendare]

I'm looking at this and all for it...but then I used my mantra of follow the money;


if it's limited entry....that kicks up the non res fee from $418 to $670

 

[Mish-pop]

I'm looking at this and all for it...but then I used my mantra of follow the money;


if it's limited entry....that kicks up the non res fee from $418 to $670

I hope you're not right but it's sad that most of these decisions do have money as the driving factor once you peel back a layer or two

 

[MuleyFever]

I'm looking at this and all for it...but then I used my mantra of follow the money;


if it's limited entry....that kicks up the non res fee from $418 to $670

Yeah, they will really rake it in with all those limited entry tags Utah gives to non residents. Also the fact if they go to LE they will have to cut numerous tags out of the allocation. They would probably lose money.

 

[PathFinder]

I'm a fan of it as well. It allows us to at least experiment with the possibility of having quality and opportunity. It would be absurd not to try it. For mule deer in particular, this is likely the future for a lot of hunts.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[Andyram_18]

I hope that Utah can use this as a tool in the belt; and not an end all. I think it could be a great option to roll into a unit for 1-2 seasons following a hard winter or some other issue that prevents deer from growing. Like a large fire to a winter range that could reduce carrying capacity. Then switched back out to the regular weapons.

The point was made on the Rokcast about the Wasatch front being managed this way. I cannot speak from experience of hunting the front; but the point was made that there are good bucks that come off it every year and many more that make it through.

 

[Mish-pop]

Even if the animals are more difficult to harvest based on the technology limits it certainly gets the adrenaline going and makes the experience better when seeing quality animals. That's one thing I enjoy about archery season. The deer are more relaxed in area I hunt and I see some nice bucks. I rarely have killed the biggest buck I have seen with archery gear where the opposite happens with rifle. However, seeing those bigger deer while with a bow is an experience in itself and knowing I have a chance just by seeing them can change the whole perspective of the hunt. Reality sets in when they bed in near impossible places to get close but I love seeing them!

 

[Baddog]

It’ll be fun to see the data in 3-5 years

 

[Baddog]

It’ll be fun to see the data in 3-5 years

 

[CorbLand]

I hope that Utah can use this as a tool in the belt; and not an end all. I think it could be a great option to roll into a unit for 1-2 seasons following a hard winter or some other issue that prevents deer from growing. Like a large fire to a winter range that could reduce carrying capacity. Then switched back out to the regular weapons.

The point was made on the Rokcast about the Wasatch front being managed this way. I cannot speak from experience of hunting the front; but the point was made that there are good bucks that come off it every year and many more that make it through.

@bigsky2 here is an example of what my fear is. A never ending cycle.


I would push back on this and say this is the one thing that I hope doesnt happen.

1. This is being done to increase age class while maintaining and/or increasing opportunity. It is not being done to increase the deer herd like you would be looking for after hard winters. Deer are still going to be killed and most likely the same number of deer. Its just going to be done by decreasing the overall success rate and allowing more people to hunt.

The way we hunt deer doesnt change herd numbers. It changes age class.

2. It gets exhausting having to keep up with all the changes both mentally and financially. The average everyday hunter isnt going to spend money to have two weapon types just so they can hunt. Especially when you can hunt with a scope for 5-7 years, then they dont allow it for 1-2, then go back to scopes.

Whether we like it or not, the average hunter is the back bone to hunting. The average hunter wants to spend a week hunting with their family. Turn the financial burden up on them, and they will be gone along with their support. We NEED their support and Colorado proved it.


What Utah needs to do, is make some units like this and leave the other units alone. Look at the general public and say if you want to hunt every year, you can go to the units that have restrictive weapons and high tag allocation. If you want to hunt with less restrictive weapons, your going to have to wait. Let people choose what they want to do. Not change it every 3-5 years.

 

[Baddog]

@bigsky2 here is an example of what my fear is. A never ending cycle.


I would push back on this and say this is the one thing that I hope doesnt happen.

1. This is being done to increase age class while maintaining and/or increasing opportunity. It is not being done to increase the deer herd like you would be looking for after hard winters. Deer are still going to be killed and most likely the same number of deer. Its just going to be done by decreasing the overall success rate and allowing more people to hunt.

The way we hunt deer doesnt change herd numbers. It changes age class.

2. It gets exhausting having to keep up with all the changes both mentally and financially. The average everyday hunter isnt going to spend money to have two weapon types just so they can hunt. Especially when you can hunt with a scope for 5-7 years, then they dont allow it for 1-2, then go back to scopes.

Whether we like it or not, the average hunter is the back bone to hunting. The average hunter wants to spend a week hunting with their family. Turn the financial burden up on them, and they will be gone along with their support. We NEED their support and Colorado proved it.


What Utah needs to do, is make some units like this and leave the other units alone. Look at the general public and say if you want to hunt every year, you can go to the units that have restrictive weapons and high tag allocation. If you want to hunt with less restrictive weapons, your going to have to wait. Let people choose what they want to do. Not change it every 3-5 years.

I disagree. I think actively managing the deer herds would be far better than the set it and forget strategies of the past.