Confusion with my unit 79 deer tag

[shootist]

Okay, so I have some confusion about my unit 79 deer tag. I am archery hunting on it, and it is a buck only unit. However, the biologist mentioned that I could shoot a doe because I'm hunting with archery equipment. I asked the game warden and he wasn't really sure, as he mentioned that this was in the process of being changed. When I read the regs, I believe I must shoot a buck, but I am unsure. It seems that a limited quota unit is different on this from a Region tag. It really doesn't matter too much, as I seriously doubt I'd shoot a doe since they are trying to boost the numbers, but I did want a clear answer.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ssliger]

According to the regulations the biologist is wrong. When you have a LE tag even in archery you have to hunt for the sex that is on the tag, in a general area you are allowed any deer. Here is a link to the brochure
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/imgs/QRDocs/REGULATIONS_CH6_BROCHURE.pdf

 

[shootist]

ssliger,

Thanks. That is how I read it too. I'm guessing it was recently changed or he didn't know it differed from general areas.

 

[Hilltop]

In years past you were able to harvest a buck mule deer or ANY whitetail. The biologist may be referring to whitetail does but I haven't spent time in the regulations to know.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

In years past you were able to harvest a buck mule deer or ANY whitetail. The biologist may be referring to whitetail does but I haven't spent time in the regulations to know.

The Final Regulations show that the unit 79-1 tag, of which 300 were issued, is for Antlered Mule deer or Any Whitetail Deer. The Special Archery section also states that the tag in an LQ unit is only good for what the tag is good for in Section 2, which is as I stated earlier. The Special Archery season for unit 79 is all of September with the required $30 NR Archery Permit. The biologist was either referring to either sex of the WT species or misspoke, but he should know the legal animals for each unit and season because they are the ones doing the ground work and suggesting what the seasons and quotas should be for their assigned areas. I also find it very strange that the GW wouldn't know since he's the one who is enforcing the law and should have a copy of the Reg. handy in order to do his job properly. Most, if not all, of the Wyoming GWs are also biologists and do that kind of work year around in addition to their GW duties.

 

[shootist]

The biologist was certainly talking about mule deer, and I am guessing he just mis-spoke. I asked him to clarify. With that unit being a general unit until last year, that is likely to be where the confusion came from. As far as the warden, the timing of when I asked was part of the issue as they were just receiving or hadn't received the 2014 regs yet. He did leave me with the impression that the tag was (as I thought) mule deer buck only (or any whitetail), even with archery season, but it took a bit to come to that conclusion. Maybe the confusion was mostly on my part since I had first spoken with the biologist.

I don't want to leave the impression that either person (biologist or warden) weren't giving me good information, I just think the biologist mis-spoke and timing of my question (regs were just arriving) made the game warden a bit hesitant (initially) to give me the correct answer. I just wanted to make sure I understand the laws correctly.

Thanks.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

All the ones I've met out there over 20+ years have been on the ball and really great guys. I'm just glad you looked into it further and didn't go out and shoot something illegal based on your conversation. There are so many things to know that it can be hard. One thing I night mention is that if a NR gets a Region deer tag to hunt all of the units other than those that are LQ, you still have to know what is allowed and not allowed on your tag in the particular unit you're hunting, as some allow a doe to be taken and others are buck only, while even another might be only a buck with antler point restrictions. Region M where I hunt has all of those different kinds of units within it's boundaries and the seasons also vary from unit to unit.