How antler point restrictions will screw up WY!

[elks96]

So I just saw where they are looking to go 4 point or better in Region W. This is bad news for big bucks and anyone who hunts specifically for them. Forcing everyone in the unit to shoot a 4 point buck will leave only little bucks to breed, there are several areas where I have watched point restriction come and when they are in place harvest goes down, but when removed it is hard to find any good bucks.

A prime example is Ferris Mountain in WY. It was once 4 or better. Even today many years later the Bucks have a very strong 3 point gene and the majority of 4 point bucks are very crabby!

It also means that my target buck for next year is off the list. Last year he was 33" wide 3x3 and I know he was atleast 5 maybe 6. He made it into the late winter and looked healthy!

How shitty would it be to see a 35" wide buck and have to pass?

 

[mmwb]

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't pass on that 35" 3 point! I notice region G is going to three point or better. If you are going to do point restrictions, I think this is a better approach to keep the three points from overrunning the place in a few years. It seems clear that point restrictions don't really provide any long term benefits. I suppose it is being done to appease some group of complainers.

 

[elks96]

>I'm pretty sure I wouldn't pass
>on that 35" 3 point!
> I notice region G
>is going to three point
>or better. If you
>are going to do point
>restrictions, I think this is
>a better approach to keep
>the three points from overrunning
>the place in a few
>years. It seems clear
>that point restrictions don't really
>provide any long term benefits.
>I suppose it is being
>done to appease some group
>of complainers.

Exactly. I would also point out the obvious, how do you get more big bucks when all you are targeting are big bucks! In region W I have more big bucks than I have in units I. COLORADO where it takes a nonresident 8 to 10 years to apply!

I beleive this is because many people are happy with 22 inche 3x3 and thus fill a tag and head home leaving more big bucks in the hills! With this new regulation everyone will be forced to hunt until the bitter end looking for a bigger buck.

 

[junior]

Agreed should cut tags but we all know g&f is broke!

 

[jm77]

LAST EDITED ON May-11-17 AT 09:57PM (MST)[p]Not sure what the thinking is, but I'm sure the move was supported by the mule deer working group there. They won't leave that APR on for very long.

 

[faultcurrent]

Waaaaaaaa!

Put in somewhere else.

 

[nontypical]

LAST EDITED ON May-14-17 AT 10:16AM (MST)[p]In the past, whenever APR's have been imposed, many people quit hunting those units because they figure the hunting will be much harder( of course it will be). It will take a few years for the apr's to have a negative effect on the bucks. By then G&F will likely drop the apr's in those units. By then, b/d ratios will have improved to much better levels.

I've seen apr's drastically improve hunting for big bucks for the first 2-3 years. Amazingly so. But it seems that after 3-4 years, not so much. Those 2-yr old 4x4's start getting whacked when they are still kids and don't get a chance to get the age needed to grow bigger racks.

APR's were once a very viable option management-wise for increasing b/d ratios when used for 2-3 years. Now it seems they are more for pleasing the arm-chair biologists.

IMO, if G&F used apr's in different units for 2-3 years; constantly changing from unit to unit, it would be a good situation for improving b/d ratios as well as trophy quality.

BTW, Elks96, eyeguards are considered a point as long as they are over 1". Does this huge 3x3 have eyeguards??

 

[Dev_l]

im not from wy but up in was where i hunt is 3 or better i just see it ass more deer to mature more bucks breedbetter for population

 

[elks96]

>Waaaaaaaa!
>
>Put in somewhere else.


WOW! What an amazing and intelligent comment. Sorry but a person who is actually concerned and involved in management decisions is not someone to kick away. I love hunting Region W and have been in that area for a long time.

I am not leaving, but good try Fault.

I probably should not engage with you in any debate as it seems to be highly counter productive.

OH WELL!