Biologist wants to increase doe harvest in region 3 units - Help!

[Eric Albus]

An estimated population of 40,000 mule deer region wide and you're worried about an extra 175 does?

They estimate 60k in R6. I say less than half that number. More mule deer and better quality bucks on the Ft Peck Rez.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Why is it necessary to hunt any mule deer does in western Montana?

Slippery slope there IMO.

Why is it necessary to hunt mule deer in western Montana?

This thread clearly illustrates how the HT bias (myself included) of desiring higher "quality" mule deer (i.e. older, larger male deer) is not the reality of the desire of most hunters to just shoot an animal regardless of age or antler size.

I'm still hopeful the mule deer working group will get 1 or 2 ideas through, but I think we lose site of those not on here, but very much in the field (or on the roads at least), reading like-minded posts.

 

[El Jason]

The most likely option is a landowner complained or somebody told the biologist they saw a lot of deer.

Given the bio involved, there is an extremely high probability this is the case.

 

[cgasner1]

So we should kill more of them?

We have to be getting trolled

 

[cgasner1]

Slippery slope there IMO.

Why is it necessary to hunt mule deer in western Montana?

This thread clearly illustrates how the HT bias (myself included) of desiring higher "quality" mule deer (i.e. older, larger male deer) is not the reality of the desire of most hunters to just shoot an animal regardless of age or antler size.

I'm still hopeful the mule deer working group will get 1 or 2 ideas through, but I think we lose site of those not on here, but very much in the field (or on the roads at least), reading like-minded posts.

I feel like a lot of information is being left out. They may have an issue in a couple spots and the tags should be private land only. We definitely need to trust our bios he is recommending it for a reason. But the road to hell is paved with good intentions and he also shouldn’t be surprised people asking why

 

[SaskHunter]

I feel like a lot of information is being left out. They may have an issue in a couple spots and the tags should be private land only. We definitely need to trust our bios he is recommending it for a reason. But the road to hell is paved with good intentions and he also shouldn’t be surprised people asking why

It seems like those same biologists just hate everything with four legs at times though.

Our new draw supplement/quotas are out and there are drastic changes across the board. Mule deer antlerless tags are pretty much non-existent, most OTC tags went to buck/bull only and quotas have been adjusted based on herd sizes due to recent severe winters and droughts.

 

[cgasner1]

It seems like those same biologists just hate everything with four legs at times though.

Our new draw supplement/quotas are out and there are drastic changes across the board. Mule deer antlerless tags are pretty much non-existent, most OTC tags went to buck/bull only and quotas have been adjusted based on herd sizes due to recent severe winters and droughts.

I think it’s a cultural thing and the people that are paying attention are pist at the bios when for the most part their hands are tied. Feel like we are potentially missing some facts/information on this issue

 

[BrentD]

Has anyone thought about calling the biologist and asking why? Might be educational and at least interesting