Absolutely! Too many from all different points of view have a me over the resource kind of attitude. If more on each side would focus a bit more on the actual resource, finding a middle ground would be much easier.
I think this is the biggest crux. Science says the population isn’t impacted until bucks get down to a certain number or ratio. So as long as the populations are managed to remain above that minimum threshold, from a buck standpoint (main interest and segment harvested), “there is no issue,” says the biology.
From a social standpoint, many hunters would like to see more bucks, more age class, greater diversity in antlers, etc. When this is lacking or in decline, “there absolutely is a problem with the resource.”
To further muddy everything up, the degree in social desires and what people deem acceptable varies widely. Probably why in the absence of objectives specifically tailored to a certain buck ratio/standard, in addition to a large segment of (ahem, resident) hunters who enjoy their current opportunities, the status quo remains, at least until the population/science triggers are actually triggered. Cue R7 reducing the numbers of B licenses, many general licenses going to buck only, etc. in the last few years.
Couple all that with the steep decline in opportunity that would be required to meet some of the social objectives, in the face of weather changes, habitat loss/fragmentation, succession, technology, access, predation, competition, disease.. of which deer populations didn’t have to deal with historically to the extent they do today. I argue so much on here because I don’t think the answer is as simple as ending rut hunting or some of these other single treatments. I wish it was. I wish the solution was as simple as it may have been years ago without all these other things acting so hard on populations, but I don’t think it will be anymore.
I do know FWP tries to meet some social expectations with existing LE, shortened season, etc. HDs throughout the state. I don’t see many examples of people here being super stoked about the opportunities in those HDs, either, though. I’ve read complaints about how 270 isn’t what it used to be, nothing really good said about the HDs in R3 or 652.. nothing really at all about the current HDs with a shortened season…?
And hence, round and around she goes. I do know that with the new MD management plan about to come out, there will be associated public comment opportunities, etc. I would hope that at the bare minimum, everyone who has spoken up in here the last 4 years has something to say there as well. I know some will, but I expect many won’t.
