How well is your states Wildlife managed?

[Shooter973]

I live in Utah and have been a hunter here for all of my life. But in the last 10-15 years I think that things have really gone down hill as far as hunting of all types are concerned in my state. The mule deer herds are way down, (drought related some what), there is basicaly no pheasant hunting in Northern Utah and the duck hunting is down due to the drought also. It seems that the DWR here has missed some good oppertunities to buy land and access to land that would have been benefical to the public and they don't. And it seem that a lot of money is spent on specialized game and non-game animals with out much public benefit in mind. any thoughts? :banghead:

 

[Art Eatman]

What percentage of Utah is federal land? What is the typical cost/value per acre of undeveloped ranch land there? What is the state's budget surplus/deficit? These factors would likely inhibit any land acquisition effort.

I'm fully aware of what drouth can do to wildlife populations. I guess the next question would be a comparison of numbers of hunters vs. agency estimates of deer/elk populations, year over year...

Art

 

[redneck]

Well, our whitetail deer population is on the constant rise. ODNR isn't letting near enough people into parks despite the deer problems we've been having from time to time. They do a special hunt for youth or things like that once in awhile but not enough to get the population down to a healthy level. They've been expanding parks alot too, although I think thats being done by columbus division of metropolitan parks or whatever.

They aren't letting us do anything about the hordes of damn'd canadian geese around other than break the eggs too. Its ridiculous how many of them there are, and the amount of damage they cause. They really should make an open season for them, I don't even know that many people that like to hunt them. We should let them take all they want!

I'm really not an expert on the subject, but I guess they aren't doing too bad. Just a few things here and there that get on my nerves.

The game wardens are a little overzealous, and don't have much respect for peoples property lately, but there have been some groups of hunters that are the same way so I guess its a trade off if they can get rid of some of the idiots. Just doesn't seem right when they drive across fields without permission when its wet enough to leave ruts, and then stand outside the woods with a bullhorn ordering you out of your treestand so they can check your license. Might as well go home after that, the damn deer aren't going to stick around.

 

[Newt]

Here in Arkansas, at least where I live/hunt, the population is way down versus 4 to 5 years prior. I live in a small town of population numbering around 400. I drive sometimes 10 to 15 and up to 45 minutes to get to my stomping grounds. Several years ago, I couldn't drive to almost any of my spots without seeing half a dozen deer. Now, if I sit on my stand all week and am lucky to see 2. We can't legally take a doe (without an issued permit) and we have a 3-point rule in effect, so it's either half-grown bucks or nothing at all. By my estimate, the population is way down here, but that's comparing it previous years. I think that G&F Comission here is mostly concerned with ducks and don't care much for the deer anymore. Suffice to say, we're not overrun with 'em.

P.S. - Bullhorn telling you to get down out of your stand so they can check your liscense. I'd be pretty hacked. They're not that brave around here yet.