slamdunk
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I live in Utah County on the Pleasant Grove/Lindon border up on the east side close to the mountain.
I just got done looking at a giant herd of Elk, I lost count at 50 and there were probably 25 more than that kept appearing over a rise.
In the bunch, I counted 17 spike bulls, and 4 rag horns.
This brings my question and what I will say is a very valid observation.
Spike hunts are not hurting our bull numbers, absolutely not in the least.
This Timpanogas part of the Wasatch unit gets absolutely pounded by Spike hunters annually.
There is 17 carry over bulls that won't even be looked at through a rifle scope for another 5 years, and this is one single herd in an absolute giant unit.
Makes perfect sense why the biologists are saying our LE units are "Bull Heavy", because they are.
Out of these 17 spikes, maybe two will achieve "Trophy" status enough to be harvested in 5-9 years from now, the rest will just be junk bulls regardless of age.
How many spikes survive year after year after year on our LE units to be carry overs and basically useless for the duration of their lives?
More than most people care to wrap their heads around....
I just got done looking at a giant herd of Elk, I lost count at 50 and there were probably 25 more than that kept appearing over a rise.
In the bunch, I counted 17 spike bulls, and 4 rag horns.
This brings my question and what I will say is a very valid observation.
Spike hunts are not hurting our bull numbers, absolutely not in the least.
This Timpanogas part of the Wasatch unit gets absolutely pounded by Spike hunters annually.
There is 17 carry over bulls that won't even be looked at through a rifle scope for another 5 years, and this is one single herd in an absolute giant unit.
Makes perfect sense why the biologists are saying our LE units are "Bull Heavy", because they are.
Out of these 17 spikes, maybe two will achieve "Trophy" status enough to be harvested in 5-9 years from now, the rest will just be junk bulls regardless of age.
How many spikes survive year after year after year on our LE units to be carry overs and basically useless for the duration of their lives?
More than most people care to wrap their heads around....