I felt like I was about to derail another thread regarding mule deer in the Wyoming Range, so I thought I'd type this up and see where folks land on it. Mule deer hunting is my jam, and a few years ago I got tired of hearing all of my buddies' theories on what was going on. So, I reached out to some WGFD biologists and some university academics who'd been involved with quite a bit of research (specifically in WY).
After speaking with all of these people, and after looking at my own personal experience in the field, I came up with my own opinion. I try to keep an open mind about things I care about, so my opinion has evolved a little over the years. Nonetheless, here's what I've got:
(tl;dr: I researched a lot of sh** about mule deer and here's what I've come up with)
From the G&F's perspective, APR's are a way to reduce hunting pressure and very temporarily improve buck to doe ratios in a particular area (areas are synonymous with units). After 3 years, this perceived benefit turns to poison, and herd dynamics begin to suffer. https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Habitat/Mule%20Deer%20Initiative/MULEDEER_ANTLERPOINTREGS_REVIE0006790.pdf
http://check it out here
From personal conversations I've had with G&F officials, the general consensus is hunting and hunting pressure is the least of a mule deer's worries – I agree with this sentiment to an extent, there are certainly more pressing concerns, but it doesn't change the fact that intense hunting pressure is bad for mule deer. G&F officials don't really believe hunters are the cause of any measurable negative effects. Researchers and academics say mule deer are impacted by damn near everything. The balance needs to be there of course – without conservation dollars and research we wouldn't know what we know now – but if reduction in pressure is warranted, there has to be a better way than APR's.
What I don't understand is if G&F doesn't believe hunting pressure is all that serious, why have APR's in the first place? If the idea is to manage our herds in the best way possible, why implement a strategy that has questionable benefits and can seriously harm a herd?
"Colorado implemented antler point restrictions for mule deer on a statewide basis for six years, and for a seven year period in several individual Game Management Units (GMUs). These seasons shifted hunting pressure to bucks greater than 2years old. A marked increase in illegal or accidental harvest of yearling bucks was documented. However, the number and proportion of mature bucks did not increase." - WGFD study.
Seems like the tough answer would be tag reductions in at least some capacity. If I could wave my magic wand, I'd have resident general tags restricted to regions (like NR), and I certainly wouldn't have general tags available for the Wyoming Range, which just lost roughly 60% of its herd. This is coming from a guy who loves hunting mule deer every year. Money and politics talk, though. Interestingly enough, more than half of hunters supported this idea in a WGFD survey. I'd even be fine with splitting archery and rifle seasons (i.e. choose your adventure, can't have both).
In short, APR's don't really work to solve any meaningful problems and they're potentially harmful if allowed to continue for too long. I'd like to see mule deer managed so it doesn't become equivalent to drawing a sheep tag. And, I apologize if this is a horse that's been beaten already. Comment periods are open now, so I thought it'd warrant a discussion.
After speaking with all of these people, and after looking at my own personal experience in the field, I came up with my own opinion. I try to keep an open mind about things I care about, so my opinion has evolved a little over the years. Nonetheless, here's what I've got:
(tl;dr: I researched a lot of sh** about mule deer and here's what I've come up with)
From the G&F's perspective, APR's are a way to reduce hunting pressure and very temporarily improve buck to doe ratios in a particular area (areas are synonymous with units). After 3 years, this perceived benefit turns to poison, and herd dynamics begin to suffer. https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Habitat/Mule%20Deer%20Initiative/MULEDEER_ANTLERPOINTREGS_REVIE0006790.pdf
http://check it out here
From personal conversations I've had with G&F officials, the general consensus is hunting and hunting pressure is the least of a mule deer's worries – I agree with this sentiment to an extent, there are certainly more pressing concerns, but it doesn't change the fact that intense hunting pressure is bad for mule deer. G&F officials don't really believe hunters are the cause of any measurable negative effects. Researchers and academics say mule deer are impacted by damn near everything. The balance needs to be there of course – without conservation dollars and research we wouldn't know what we know now – but if reduction in pressure is warranted, there has to be a better way than APR's.
What I don't understand is if G&F doesn't believe hunting pressure is all that serious, why have APR's in the first place? If the idea is to manage our herds in the best way possible, why implement a strategy that has questionable benefits and can seriously harm a herd?
"Colorado implemented antler point restrictions for mule deer on a statewide basis for six years, and for a seven year period in several individual Game Management Units (GMUs). These seasons shifted hunting pressure to bucks greater than 2years old. A marked increase in illegal or accidental harvest of yearling bucks was documented. However, the number and proportion of mature bucks did not increase." - WGFD study.
Seems like the tough answer would be tag reductions in at least some capacity. If I could wave my magic wand, I'd have resident general tags restricted to regions (like NR), and I certainly wouldn't have general tags available for the Wyoming Range, which just lost roughly 60% of its herd. This is coming from a guy who loves hunting mule deer every year. Money and politics talk, though. Interestingly enough, more than half of hunters supported this idea in a WGFD survey. I'd even be fine with splitting archery and rifle seasons (i.e. choose your adventure, can't have both).
In short, APR's don't really work to solve any meaningful problems and they're potentially harmful if allowed to continue for too long. I'd like to see mule deer managed so it doesn't become equivalent to drawing a sheep tag. And, I apologize if this is a horse that's been beaten already. Comment periods are open now, so I thought it'd warrant a discussion.
