Archive for February, 2007

Top 10 for the New Mule Deer Hunter

Posted by on Monday, 5 February, 2007

1) Get in shape. Go up and down steep hills – there’s nothing better.

2) Develop in-the-clutch skill with your weapon and equipment. Buck fever happens.

3) Pick a hunting area that has the kind of bucks you expect to harvest.

4) Obtain the necessary finances. Credit card expiration dates need to go beyond fee withdrawl dates.

5) Apply for and obtain a license and tag. Some states start this process as early as January. Most have online applications.

6) Preseason scouting. If possible, select the buck you will harvest.

7) Attitude is important : Apply faith, enthusiasm, effort, and skill to your hunt.

8 If one spot doesn’t produce, quickly switch to another. Be flexible.

9) Hunt dawn ’til dark.

10) Expect to succeed. Take a knife, rope, deer bag, salt, baking soda, camera, and anything else necessary for when your buck is on the ground.

evening buk

Happy hunting and may the force be with you

Droughts and Harsh Winters, not the problem

Posted by on Sunday, 4 February, 2007

Harsh winters and droughts have always impacted mule deer. As far as I’m concerned, they always will, especially if a harsh winter immediately follows a severe drought. We have always had weather and will continue to do so – with little or nothing we can do about it.

In the good old days, and I’m old enough to have seen them, mule deer rebounded very quickly after bad weather. Why? Well, they are nearly like rabbits, if they’re allowed to be. The old-timers, two generations before me, said mule deer used to be called “government mutton”, and were like herds of sheep. I was fortunate enough to see the tail-end of those days.

Nowadays, if game agencies see a 0.5/1.0 fawn to doe ratio – they brag about it. If you were a sheepman and had that kind of ratio – you’ld be outabusiness. Healthy herds of both deer and sheep should have 1.8/1.0 baby/mom ratios. Deer herds with those kind of ratios can, and do rebound quickly.

Why don’t we have those kind of ratios anymore? Primarily coyotes. Again, if sheepmen let the coyotes reduce their ratios to even 1.0/1.0 – they’re outabusiness.

running coyoteCoyotes are getting most of our fawns before they can even be counted. And, coyotes aren’t the only problem. In my home area, birds of prey (and coyotes, as well) kill fawns while they are being born. (You may also observe, that in the mule deer heyday – birds of prey weren’t protected, and were often shot on sight). Even crows will peck the eyes out of a mule deer fawn during birth, and finish up later. Another, but lesser problem affecting fawn/doe ratios, is females not getting bred or getting bred late. In Arizona, we have to kill 30,000 coyotes per year just to break even. Other states are not much different.

Yes, there are getting to be more and more people. Yes, there are fewer resources (mule deer) and, WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. In the late sixties, when I first started hunting mule deer, there were 210,000 hunters in my home state of Utah ( 1/3 of all Utahns, 2/3 of the Utah males) and we harvested app. 80,000 bucks per year for quite a few years. Now there are no more than 97,000 deer hunters in Utah, and they harvest less than 25,000 mule deer (male and female) (And that’s being generous -I don’t believe the DWR numbers). It doesn’t matter how many people there are per se, only how many hunters.

Now, I’m going to try and jump one step ahead of you – in case you want to tell me about human encroachment. The undeveloped areas next to cities haven’t been much good for mule deer for a long time. The last time mule deer hunting was really good along the Utah Wasatch front was 1969. We haven’t lost much to encroachment in that area for 40 years. Interestingly, mule deer along the Wasatch front are more abundant now than they were 30 years ago… it’s all those nice neighborhoods with watered shrubs and such.

All over the rest of Utah, and in large areas of other western states – things haven’t changed a lot. Blanding, Utah; or Rockland, Idaho; or Jackpot, Nevada; or North Kaibab, Arizona – for example. I can remember when cedar trees, all over the West, were eaten up as high as the mule deer could reach, and still we sustained large deer herds, and had large harvests year after year. The number of people ISN’T the problem, as politically popular as that idea is.

What is the problem? (and fortunately, it is one that we can do something about): PREDATORS. Every western state has maxed out its lion population. Lions will eat 50 deer a year, avg., if the deer are available. There doesn’t need to be a lot of discussion about that. Just pause and do some math using however many lions you think there are. Good weather won’t help reduce the lion impact, either.

I have a good friend who has the solution: Everyone who turns in 3 coyote ears or one lion ear gets a free deer tag from their state agency. Everyone wins! And, think of all the deer we “conserve”.

My father, who taught me to hunt, would not let me shoot a doe. He said that in 5 years I would have killed the equivalent of 25 deer by killing one doe. That is another problem we can do something about. We don’t need to kill does until we exceed carrying capacity. And, if you start talking to me about how killing does (politically correct) improves deer herds, be prepared for a rebuttal.

How to apply for a 2007 Utah mule deer hunt

Posted by on Sunday, 4 February, 2007

If you wish to hunt mule deer in Utah, you must apply on or before February 16, 2007. Utah applications can be completed over the phone, online, by mail, or in person. For a non-resident, the easiest way to apply is online. You may obtain a copy of the 2007 proclamation here: http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/proclamations/2007_biggame/. The list of deer units is found on pages 35-37 of the proclamation. The mule deer map is on page 46.

Utah deer mapYou may download a hardcopy application from the same page by clicking on “Nonresident Premium Limited Entry, Limited Entry, CWMU & Once-in-a-Lifetime”. If you wish to apply online – apply here: http://www.sci-nevada.com/webutapps/.

Applying as a group: Groups are encouraged to apply online. If applying as a
group through the mail be sure to send ALL applications in the SAME envelope.

Nonresident fishing bonus: Nonresident big game permits also serve as
fishing licenses. If a nonresident purchases a fishing license in addition to a
big game permit, however, the Division will NOT issue a refund for the fishing
license.

Big game draw application deadline:
The deadline to apply for the bucks, bulls and once-in-a-lifetime hunts in 2007
is February 16, 2007. Paper applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. and
online applications must be submitted by 11:00 p.m.

2007 Permit Non-Resident Fees:
Deer
General Archery $263
General Any Weapon $263
General Muzzleloader $263
Premium Limited Entry $563
Premium CWMU* $563
Limited Entry $463
CWMU $263
Buck/Bull Combo $651

Draw results:
Draw results will be available by April 27, 2007. For results, call Utah Administrative
Services toll-free at 1-800-221-0659 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or
visit wildlife.utah.gov. In the interests of protecting applicant privacy and to
comply with recent changes in governmental records access laws, applicants
may obtain access to their own draw results only.

2007 general season Dates:
General Archery Deer August 18–September 14
General Muzzleloader Deer September 26–October 4
General Any Weapon Deer October 20–28
Southeastern Region October 20–24
Southern Region October 20–24
General Buck/Bull Combination October 6–18

Mandatory reporting:
Premium limited entry, limited entry, management
bull elk, CWMU and Once-in-a-Lifetime hunters must report hunt information
within 30 calendar days after the end of the hunting season online at
wildlife.utah.gov OR by calling 1-800-221-0659. Hunters have to report even
if they did not harvest an animal.

Application Withdrawal:
R657-5-62
(1) A person may withdraw their application for the big game drawing
provided a written request of such is received by March 1, 2007.
(2) The applicant must send their notarized signature with a statement
requesting that their application be withdrawn to: Utah Wildlife Administrative
Services, P.O. Box 30389, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0389.
(3) Handling fees will not be refunded and preference points will not be
awarded.

Application Amendments:
R657-5-62
(1)(a) An applicant may amend their application for the big game drawing
provided a written request of such is received by March 1, 2007.
(b) An amendment form, which requests all of the necessary information
to amend an application, is available at Division offices and at wildlife.
utah.gov.
(2) The applicant must send their notarized signature with a statement
requesting that their application be amended to: Utah Administrative Services,
P.O. Box 30389, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0389.
(3) The applicant must identify in their statement the requested amendment
to their application.
(4) Handling fees will not be refunded.
(5) An amendment may cause rejection if the amendment causes an error
on the application.

Drawing Process and Results for General Buck Deer, Buck/Bull Combination
and Youth General Any Bull Elk
:R657-5-27
(1) Permits are drawn in the following order:
(a) premium limited entry, limited entry and CWMU buck deer;
(b) premium limited entry, limited entry, management bull elk and
CWMU elk;
(c) limited entry and CWMU buck pronghorn;
(d) once-in-a-lifetime;
(e) youth general buck deer;
(f) general buck deer, general buck/bull combination; and
(g) youth general any bull elk

New this year: 2,000 hunters in the Northern Region will have the
opportunity to hunt buck deer and bull elk at the same time. Hunters who
draw a buck/bull combination permit will receive a buck deer permit that’s
valid ONLY on any bull elk units in the Northern Region from October 6–18,
2007. Hunters will also receive an any bull elk permit that’s valid on all
general season any bull elk units across the state.
Lifetime License holders may apply for the buck/bull combination hunt
if they waive their choice of general deer permits and pay the additional
cost of the elk permit. Members of the Dedicated Hunter Program may
apply if they surrender their Dedicated Hunter Certificate of Registration in
accordance with R657-38-4.

General Buck Deer Permit Numbers:
Total permits in 2006 Number of applications in 2006
RegionResident Nonresidents Residents Nonresidents
Archery
Statewide* 14,400 1,600 5,164 669
Any weapon
Northern 20,700 2,300 4,539 222
Northeastern 11,700 1,300 9,845 331
Central 10,800 1,200 15,650 380
Southeastern 11,700 1,300 11,682 1,359
Southern 16,200 1,800 22,561 4,924
Totals 85,500 9,500
*The statewide archery permit does not include limited entry units.

General Buck Deer Hunt Numbers:
(PERMIT FEE: RESIDENT $40, NONRESIDENT $263—BUCK/BULL COMBO PERMIT FEE: RESIDENT $105, NONRESIDENT $651).
Use ORANGE 3-digit hunt number to apply. Deer preference point code: GDR
Hunt # Archery Hunt # Any Weapon Hunt # Muzzleloader Hunt # Buck/Bull Combination
984 Statewide 985 Northern 995 Northern 200 Northern
986 Northeastern 996 Northeastern
987 Central 997 Central
988 Southeastern 998 Southeastern
989 Southern 999 Southern

About Utah Preference Points

Posted by on Sunday, 4 February, 2007

Preference Points:
R657-5-37(B)
Preference points are used to ensure that applicants who are unsuccessful,
or who apply for a preference point in the drawing for general buck
deer or the general buck/bull combination, will have first preference in the
next year’s drawing for the respective permits.
Preference points only apply to general buck deer and general buck/
bull combination hunts and are awarded for each unsuccessful application.
An individual, who does not want to hunt in the current year, may
apply for a preference point only, for general buck deer by selecting the
appropriate preference point code (GDR) on the application and paying the
$5 handling fee. The application period is January 17–February 16, 2007.
A preference point will not be issued if an applicant is successful in
drawing any general buck deer or general buck/bull combination permit,
regardless of the region or choice number. For example, if an applicant
chooses the Southeastern Region as a first choice and the Northern Region
as a second choice, and draws the Northern Region permit (the second
choice), a preference point will not be awarded.
Preference points are not forfeited if an individual obtains a remaining
permit.
The Division has retained electronic records of all general buck deer
application information from the year 2000 to present.

How your Preference Points work in the draw:
Preference points are averaged and rounded down when two or more
applicants apply as a group. For example, if hunter A with three preference
points and hunter B with zero preference points apply as a group, the preference
points are averaged (1.5) and rounded down to one. This process
will determine in which group of preference points your application will be
considered. This group with one preference point will be considered after
all groups or individuals with two or more preference points and before all
groups or individuals with zero preference points.
In a second example, if hunter A with one preference point and
hunter B with zero preference points apply as a group, the preference
points are averaged (0.5) and rounded down to zero. This process will
determine in which group of preference points your application will be
considered. This group with zero preference points will be considered
after all groups or individuals with one or more preference points have
been considered.
In the drawing, the general buck deer applications are sorted into
groups by the number of preference points, from highest to lowest—a
4 Preference Point Group, a 3 Preference Point Group, etc. Within each
group of preference points, the applications are then sorted from lowest
to highest draw numbers. (You receive only one random draw number for
the general deer hunt.) Permits are awarded in order, based on the hunt
choice selected.
Applicants who apply for a general buck deer permit will receive
a preference point, even if they are successful in obtaining a premium
limited entry, limited entry, or CWMU deer or elk permit in the drawing.
An individual may surrender their general buck deer permit prior to
the season opening date for the purpose of reinstating the number of
preference points, including a preference point for the current year (just
as if a permit had not been drawn).

You cannot apply for a General Buck Deer or General Buck/Bull Combination
Permit or a Preference Point if:

You are currently under wildlife license suspension for big game
hunting.
A complete copy of these regulations (R657-5-37) can be found at
wildlife.utah.gov.

About Utah Bonus Points

Posted by on Sunday, 4 February, 2007

Bonus Points:
R657-5-37(A)
Bonus points apply to each species in the Bucks, Bulls and Oncein-
a-Lifetime Drawing. A bonus point is awarded for each unsuccessful
application to hunt premium limited entry, limited entry, management
bull elk and CWMU buck deer, bull elk and pronghorn, and for unsuccessful
applications for the state’s once-in-a-lifetime species—bison, bighorn
sheep, moose and mountain goat.
An individual, who does not want to hunt in the current year, may
still apply for a bonus point only, for one or more species, by selecting the
appropriate hunt choice or choices on the application and paying the $5
handling fee. The application period is January 17–February 16, 2007.
Because bonus points are applied for by species, any person who is eligible
to hunt the species may apply for a bonus point for premium limited
entry, limited entry, management bull elk or once-in-a-lifetime, even if
that particular hunt is not being offered that year.
To apply for a bonus point, you must be eligible for the hunt for which
you are applying. For example, if you are eligible for a limited entry buck
deer permit, you are eligible to apply for a limited entry buck deer bonus
point.
You can apply for:
one limited entry permit and one once-in-a lifetime permit; or
one limited entry bonus point and one once-in-a-lifetime bonus
point; or
one limited entry permit and one once-in-a-lifetime bonus point; or
one limited entry bonus point and one once-in-a-lifetime permit.
If you apply for a permit, and a bonus point for the same species, your
application will be rejected.
If you apply for more than one premium limited entry or limited entry
bonus point, your application will be rejected.
If you apply for more than one once-in-a-lifetime bonus point, your
application will be rejected.
Your general buck deer permit application does not affect bonus points
for limited entry deer. If you draw a general buck deer permit, you will still
receive a bonus point for your unsuccessful premium limited entry, limited
entry or CWMU application.
The Division has retained electronic copies of application information
from 1996 to present.

How your Bonus Points work in the draw:
Fifty percent (odd numbers are rounded down) of the permits for each
hunt unit number are reserved for applicants with the most bonus points.
You receive one random drawing number for each species you apply
for and one for every bonus point you have for that species. Your lowest
random number is used in the drawing.
Bonus points are averaged and rounded down when two or more
applicants apply as a group. For example, if hunter A with seven bonus
points and hunter B with zero bonus points apply as a group, the bonus
points are averaged (3.5) and rounded down to three. The group receives
three random draw numbers for the bonus points, plus one random draw
number for the group application, for a total of four draw numbers. The
lowest random number is used in the drawing.
In the draw for limited entry buck deer, the applications are sorted
into groups by the number of bonus points, from highest to lowest—a 10
Bonus Point Group, a 9 Bonus Point Group, etc. Hunters applying alone will
be treated as a group of one. Within each group of bonus points for limited
entry buck deer, the applications are sorted from lowest to highest draw
number. Permits are awarded in order, based on the hunt choice selected.
Any person may surrender their premium limited entry, limited entry
or once-in-a-lifetime permit prior to the season opening date, for the
purpose of waiving the waiting period normally assessed and reinstating
the number of bonus points, including a bonus point for the current year
(just as if a permit had not been drawn).

You cannot apply for a hunt or receive a Bonus Point if:
you are currently under wildlife license suspension for big game
hunting; or
you are currently under a waiting period for that species; or
you have already obtained a permit for that once-in-a-lifetime
species; or
you have not met the required harvest reporting requirement for
premium limited entry, limited entry or once-in-a-lifetime species.
A complete copy of these regulations (R657-5-37) can be found at
wildlife.utah.gov/rules.

How did Utah’s limited entry units get started?

Posted by on Friday, 2 February, 2007

The truth is – none of us may ever know what the DWR decision makers were or are really thinking.  Most of what they do defies logic.

Nevertheless, all of the LE areas were once open areas because the whole state was open.  Until the lions, coyotes, and bears took over, a person could buy licenses and tags over-the-counter, right up until the time when you decided if you wanted to go or not.  It was then a 10 day season and you could go where the deer were, or anywhere else for that matter.  Then predator populations began to boom.  They were protected from being poisoned. Trapping rules were implemented. Seasons and limits were set.   Predators were given priority over hunters. When the long-awaited time finally arrived that there were not enough deer for both humans and predators, then it became quite noticeable, particularly in those areas that are now limited entry, that there were no deer.

Whoah! What’s up with that?  Predators don’t affect deer populations, do they?  Let’s do a study to prove that predators have no negative impact on deer.  Outcome pre-detirmined.

OK, conclusion: predators have no negative impact on prey.  There are too many hunters.  Darn it anyway.  Let’s make regions and units to confine the hunters.  Let’s cut the number of hunters in half.  Let’s try and force the hunters to go where the deer aren’t.   Let’s shorten the seasons. Let’s implement a hunter lottery on the basis of the scarcity principle.  Let’s get the hunters to believe we need to “conserve” deer. Let’s make up stories about how many deer and how few predators there really are.  It’s all history now.

Utah now manages people for the predators while “conserving” deer. Today, predators kill almost ten times as many deer as people do, and that’s even if we include road kill.   It’s a little OUTABALANCE!  The limited entry units and especially the “premium” limited entry units came into existence after those areas were closed for “studies”.  Rather than just turn the deer hunters loose on those areas that hadn’t been hunted for a while, and go right back to no deer, it was evident that there had to be some “controls”.  None of the limited entry units was restored to its former glory even with no hunting – because of predators.  But, any of them were better than the rest, if only because hunting had ceased for a while.  Some of the LE units are now no better than the rest – even with almost no hunters.

No, they didn’t pick the areas with the most potential for limited entry.  They probably never will.

The DWR announced a long time ago – that it was their entention to divide the state into small units and make the whole state limited entry.  The time may well come when you have to check in and check out at the bottom of the mountain you want to hunt – fingerprints and the whole works.   Heaven forbid anyone should suggest it.

Winter Range, National Parks, and Mule Deer

Posted by on Friday, 2 February, 2007

Many will argue that the real problem with declining mule deer populations is deteriorating winter habitat, and that National Parks are evidence that habitat, not predation, is the limiting factor in mule deer populations. If you broaden your view a little you will see that, in many areas, there is virtually unlimited winter range but limited summer range. Summer range, not winter range, controls the carrying capacity of the mule deer in those areas. It is almost always the case that the summer range in any area can support significantly more mule deer than are currently present. And still the deer are no longer able to increase to the level of the summer range capacity.

In those areas where the limiting factor is winter range, there are 3 different conditions that are typically cited as important: 1) quality of browse; 2) quantity of browse; or 3) scarcity of cover. It is difficult, at best, to assess the quality of the browse. It has been assumed that older plants such as sage brush, have lower quality than young plants. I have participated in reseeding projects, some of which have now had years to develop. I have observed areas where juniper have been removed. I have also observed numerous controlled burns. None of these, however wonderful they may be, have brought back the mule deer in the affected areas.

There are numerous areas where the quality of the browse has improved even in non-conventional ways – such as in subdivisions which are planted with lush, green, well-cared for browse. In some areas the quality of browse has degraded because of decreased use by domestic livestock. If livestock do not overgraze an area, they can actually improve the quality of the browse for mule deer.

Concerning the quantity of browse, there are probably as many areas where the quantity of browse has increased as there are areas where it has decreased. One reason for this is that far fewer deer are consuming the plants than was the case in the past. With few exceptions, there is in every area adequate quantity of browse for more mule deer than are present. In years when there is deep snow, the snow can effectively reduce the quantity of feed available to the mule deer.

Because of snowmobiles, atv’s, high numbers of domestic dogs, and such – mule deer are harassed in winter time more than they used to be. If their cover is not adequate, the stress from harassment is compounded by the lack of cover. There may end up being a greater distance separating cover from browse- increasing the likelihood of exposure. Mule deer are nervous creatures anyway and harassment during winter degrades their health with or without cover. Unbroken expanses of Juniper do not help deer much, but a mosaic of trees and browse is highly desirable.

For those who believe that predators don’t have any negative impact on mule deer, and that pristine vegation is better than manipulated vegetation, the National Parks should then have such an abundance of mule deer as to make the deer a nuisance. Such is not the case, there are fewer mule deer in National Parks than in the areas surrounding the Parks. The deer in the Parks are typically more visible, but are not more plentiful. Yellowstone is a classic example of the impact of predation in the presence of pristine habitat. The habitat has not saved the game from predators. Since the introduction of wolves in Yellowstone, the game animals have diminished drastically with no apparent change in habitat.

Where have all the mule deer gone?

Posted by on Thursday, 1 February, 2007

deer herdAs recently as 1988, mule deer herds were doing well -in fact, near an all-time population high. Since that time, mule deer have declined and have not recovered. The major cause for the original decline was rooted in the effects of weather. Mule deer herds have always been impacted by weather, but have typically been able to recover quickly from drought or severe winter. Possibly, the worst weather related situation affecting mule deer is when a drought is followed immediately by a severe winter. If there is ever a time to supplement or to call for an emergency hunt, that would be it.

In drought, usually associated with heat, mule deer do not forage well. It is essential to mule deer, in most areas, that they build up sufficient fat reserves to see them through winter. In drought conditions, the potential for gaining fat is diminished. During a severe winter, the time will certainly arrive when mule deer expend more calories eating than they derive from what they eat. Just maintaining essential body heat uses valuable calories. At such times, mule deer depend on fat reserves. When those fat reserves are not available, or are insufficient, mule deer get sick and die. When caloric output exceeds caloric intake, it is quite advantageous for mule deer to become sedate; to limit their movement. They will do this if not disturbed too much.

In most of the Western United States, mule deer suffered a difficult winter around 1983. They rebounded very well and very quickly reaching a long-term high around 1988. The intervening years had ample moisture, good forage, relatively mild winters, and limited predation. The winter of 1988 was devastating to mule deer with losses as high as 70% in some areas. It might have been expected that mule deer would have made a full recovery by now, but there are 3 factors that have prevented them from doing so.

First, the number of mule deer predators has steadily increased. Concurrently, the number of mule deer hunters and the percentage of hunter success has suffered tremendously, because there are few surplus deer remaining after predation. Mountain lions were reaching their maximum carrying capacity about the very time when the mule deer were hardest hit. Cougars were protected beginning in 1972 and steadily increased until 1988. Based on population modeling I have done, I believe mountain lion increases were exponential rather than linear. Even though the deer herd dropped quite suddenly by two-thirds, the mountain lion population did not and has not dropped. The single most important factor allowing mountain lions to be unaffected by the mule deer decline is the presence of alternative food sources, particularly the ever increasing elk herds. Another significant factor is the protection that lions have enjoyed. Modern hunting regulations generally do not allow more lions to be harvested than the annual population increase, thus keeping lions at a constant maximum. Lions have expanded to the point where there is scarcely room for more – since they are highly territorial.

Secondly, game managers have insisted on killing does since about 1990. In my estimation, there is no good reason for killing does until or unless herds have exceeded their carrying capacity. As of 2007, overall mule deer numbers are at less than half of carrying capacity. Also, a case can easily be made against killing does for genetic reasons, yet the doe slaughter continues even today. Hunters, not unlike predators, seek to kill the best and healthiest.

Thirdly, game managers have placed limits on the number of mule deer to be allowed. This fact is not always publicized, but is nevertheless true. There are three reasons for the limits: 1) Depredation payments. 2) The belief that mule deer herds had been maintained at artificially high numbers to support hunting, and 3) mule deer are harder to manage than elk – so preference has been given to elk.

Game managers prefer to have us all believe and accept that habitat and weather are the major issues causing mule deer decline because these two “causes” are basically unsolvable and take the focus away from poor management.

The future of mule deer is extremely dependent on what we decide to do with predators. After, or if, we reduce predation to the point where mule deer can again be allowed to increase, then it will be quite appropriate to see what we can do about weather and habitat.