Mule Deer Fanatic

Utah                  March 3

Wyoming           March 15

New Mexico     March 28

Colorado           April 6

Nevada              April 18

Kansas              April 29

Oregon              May 15

Washington       May 26

California           June 1

Montana           June 1

Idaho                June 5

Arizona             June 8

South Dakota    July 23

Fast facts about Oregon’s mule deer

• The estimated 2009 Oregon mule deer population of 216,154 is below the statewide management objective of 344,900 animals.
• Mule deer (found east of the Cascades) and black-tailed deer (west of the Cascades) are the same species but different sub-species of deer.
• Deer have a smaller digestive track than elk or cattle, so their forage needs to be of higher nutritional quality.
• Mule deer breed once per year, in late fall, and does generally produce two fawns.
• In 2008, about 70,000 people went deer hunting in eastern Oregon, generating almost $22 million for the economy.

Ranches, farms and other private lands provide winter range and other important habitat for mule deer.

The Utah Deer Application Deadline is March 3, 2011.

Go to the “States” tab for more info.

Good Luck on the Draw

The Utah DWR has been wanting for years to force deer hunters to hunt in smaller units. In 2012 that is slated to become a reality. And, because mule deer numbers continue to decline, the number of hunt permits will be cut by about 13,000 tags or about 15 %.

The Utah DWR cannot comprehend that predators are responsible for declining mule deer numbers so it is the hunters that must suck it up. The state will be divided into 29 units, and buck to doe ratios must be 18/100 (DWR count) or permits numbers will fall further.

By now, most hunters have forgotten the promises made by the DWR when they cut tags to 90,000 and divided the state into five regions. The DWR promised that there would be more bigger bucks and a better hunting experience and that the deer numbers would increase. But the herd just keeps going down hill and they cannot figure out why.

The DWR is now making similar promises for the new plan. Permits prices are to increase to make up for the revenue shortfall, so once again, hunters take it in the shorts. Mule deer are moving into subdivisions to escape the predators.

Very few hunters showed up at the public meetings to oppose the plan

If you want to take your chances at drawing an Arizona Mule Deer Tag, don’t wait too much longer. The deadline is June 8, 2010. You may purchase a license first or apply for one as part of the drawing. You cannot apply online for the draw.

Click ARIZONA APPLICATION for the application.

Or select the States Tab for more information.

Good Luck

MULE DEER RESTORATION COMMITTEE TO MEET IN ELKO

The newly formed Mule Deer Restoration Committee is set to hold its second meeting in Elko Thursday, April 15, beginning at noon in the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) office on 60 Youth Center Road. A teleconference phone will be set up at the 1100 Valley Road Headquarters location as well.

The Mule Deer Restoration Committee, a sub-committee created by Nevada Board of Wildlife Commission (NBWC) Chairman Gerald Lent with the purpose of helping to restore mule deer numbers in the state, is chaired by NBWC vice-chairman Scott Raine. Other members of the committee include Wilde Brough, Cory Lytle, Pat Laughlin and John Carpenter. Tony Wasley, NDOW game biologist, is assigned as staff to the committee.

Raine will hold a review of the Draft Charter for Committee Operations and then review a list of possible factors affecting mule deer populations that the committee will be considering. The review will be followed by a discussion of early Nevada history by local residents Cliff Gardner, Mike Laughlin and Wasley.

The meeting will wrap up with a review of committee assignments. The assignments have been divided among committee members and include liaisons for the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, Nevada Farm Bureau, and Wildlife Services. Committee members will also be tasked with research and findings regarding several possible factors involving mule deer numbers. These factors include energy development, shed horns, wild horses, pinyon juniper encroachment; ungulate competition; road crossings; predation; doe hunts; genetics, secondary effects of helicopters, and grazing.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.

The full fee is required up front and there is a non-refundable $27 non-resident application fee. Cost for a standard deer hunt is $270, and for a quality hunt – $355.

Click NEW MEXICO APPLICATION to apply.

The application deadline is April 6. If you want you can apply for a preference point as your first choice and then apply for a hunt as your second choice. If you draw the hunt then you get no refund and lose your accumulated points for the hunt. If not then you pay $25 plus the application fee and keep your preference point. Or, if you like you can apply for up to five hunt choices, and if you don’t draw then you may keep (and pay) for a license and get a preference point that way. Cost for a non-resident is $329 plus or minus.

Keep applying and building up your bonus points. Maybe you will draw.

Good Luck