Mule Deer Fanatic

When I was 46 years old, I read of a study which concluded that the average age of a mule deer hunter was 46. I remember this because – I was the average age. Today, I am 55 years old. I am guessing that the average age of today’s mule deer hunter is lower than 55 because of the baby boomer effect.

If the age distribution of muley buck hunters follows the standard bell curve, then a high percentage of hunters are baby boomers. This makes sense because: a) baby boomers cut their teeth on the best years of mule deer hunting, and b) baby boomers represent a significant portion of the overall population. Game agencies have anticipated the day when the baby boomers will drop out of the hunting population and are worrying about dealing the loss of revenue.

I have hunted with the same hunting partner for the last 20-plus years. About 15 years ago I asked him how long he planned to hunt mule deer, and what he thought would be the cause of his quitting ( age, poor hunting, too much regulation, poor health, gun control, etc.) He thought he would hunt until age 70. I’m not sure it will happen…. disouragement being the cause. No matter what the cause, there is likely to be a large drop in mule deer hunting demand when the baby boomers exit. In 2007, the baby boomers are on the brink of quitting en masse.

So, what now. Near the early 1990’s overall mule deer hunting tags were cut in half while the agencies were busy creating hunting units and hunting lotteries. A lottery gives the appearance of short supply and creates a bit of a demand frenzy. It should be noted that there is an actual short supply. In theory, with the overall human population increase, there should be an increasing demand for mule deer hunting. Yet, with all of this – young hunters are not entering the ranks as desired.

I have four sons, none of whom are mule deer hunters. All of them, except one, have been hunting with me in their youth. Unfortunately, I have not been able to provide for any of them a “good hunt” as defined by the hunts of my youth. Hunting mule deer is boring to them. I must agree. It is hard to draw. It is unlikely that they will see what you are looking for. Seasons are short. Prices are high. And, it is probable to hunt an entire season without so much as firing a shot. Before I can get my sons to become mule deer fanatics, something needs to be fixed.

Like me, they have been frustrated by the lack of opportunity, and additionally, they have many other activities available to them that are more exciting – such as video games. They can even hunt mule deer right in the comfort of their home.

Game agencies are doing all the wrong things to attract young hunters. In short, agencies cannot recruit young hunters by making hunting miserable for their fathers (parents). There are now special youth hunts, special pricing, special seasons, etc. The agencies have long since abandoned the notion of giving the fathers something in return for their investment. Many of them will not even acknowledge that they have customers. They still have an income, but bite the very hand that feeds them.

Fortunately, these problems can be fixed. In order to recruit young hunters, the agencies need to make hunting good for the dads. They need to be doing exactly the opposite of what they are doing. First, there needs to be a product: mule deer, and lots of them. Second, the agencies need to stop regulating their customers away from purchasing the product. Third, the product needs to be available with broad opportunity at a reasonable price. These are simple, good business concepts.

I estimate that there are 450,000 mule deer hunters in the United States each year, and atleast 1 million hunters that are turned away. Those turned away may experience disappointment year after year. Even if they draw a tag they will likely be disappointed. The most crucial issue is having more mule deer. This can never be done with predator populations what they are today. It just cannot happen.

It takes an attorney, an accountant, and a doctor to help a person get through a 2007 hunting proclamation. The doctor is for the headache. When I was a youth, a hunting proclamation was a one page document with a map on the backside. The agencies are regulating themselves right out of a customer base.

When I started hunting mule deer, if a person wanted to, he could hunt from mid August through mid January. Because hunting seasons were long, there was not such a sense of urgency. A deer hunt could really be enjoyed, and for more than five days. The agencies are cutting their own throats by making hunting seasons so short. Long seasons do not mean more deer harvested. They mean more enjoyment. Even if longer seasons meant more harvest, the solution is more deer – not shorter seasons. We have all been conditioned, by the agencies, to the idea that harvesting more deer is a bad thing. It’s not. Our youth are not going to join ranks without it.

I want to see mule deer hunting be as good as it ever has been. I firmly, believe it is possible. We simply need a management decision. I want my children to enjoy what I once enjoyed. The current strategy is the wrong one. I intend to be a voice for change and encourage you to do the same.

Happy hunting