>I studied this issue a few
>years ago when my son
>was interesting in acquiring some
>property in a tough draw
>area for both deer and
>elk. There is a lot
>of latitude given to what
>the warden for the area
>is willing to do. The
>property my son was interested
>in was larger than 160
>acres. The warden was willing
>to give a thumbs up
>for deer(109)and antelope(80). He was
>real cool to the idea
>of issuing a landowner elk
>tag (54-1). There were actually
>more elk on the property
>than deer. I know a
>person who owns 180 acres
>consisting of nine 20 acre
>lots that are in a
>single block. He gets an
>80 antelope tag each year
>but does not get a
>LE 105 deer tag. That
>is according to the decision
>of the local warden.
>
>
>To the best of my knowledge,
>the landowner tag is good
>for the unit where your
>property is located and you
>are not confined to hunting
>just your property. That is
>not the way it is
>in other western states.
>
>just sayin...mh
Landowner tags are good for the whole area, as some landowners provide seasonal habitat for some species. Currently, unless it's very obvious on specie use, there is a "scientific" method used by the Dept to verify use. It is a series of ten circles approx 23" in diameter laid out in a random transect, and pellet groups are counted within the circles. A formula is used based on total acres and pellet groups.
Currently each entity is allowed two landowner licenses good for the owner and their lineal descendants and their spouses. The 160 minimum acres may be challenged at this years legislature. Talk is raising it to 320 or 640, but highly doubt the bill would go anywhere as it deals with taking something from mostly ag folks.
Regulations state that landowner tags cannot be given for land that was bought for the purpose of obtaining the tags.