Congratulations Idaho and Wyoming

[Rooster410]

First let me start by applauding the effort to increase the deer population in the state of Utah. I truly look forward to the possible return of the day of quality and quantity deer herds in areas I grew up hunting with my family. That being said 3 out of 5 of my hunting family didn't draw our general deer area. Two of those were my 15 and 17 year old children. Now I know there are youth hunts and I know there are general areas you can draw 100% of the time. I have done this and the quality general deer hunt just hasnt been there. Therefore myself, my kids and our money will be heading to Idaho and/or Wyoming to hunt deer. Long story short, I would greatly be in favor of awarding the youth of our state preference in the general draw. You'll encourage and support the sportsman of the future and you'll keep my/our money in the state. Maybe I just have sour grapes, but its not the first time this scenario has happened.

 

[JimP]

Don't get me wrong with what I am going to say here but the youth have a ton of opportunity to hunt deer in Utah. I agree that if a kid wants to hunt deer then they should be able to hunt with the weapon of choice.

Now after saying that I believe that the Utah DOW allocates around 20% of the general tags to go to the youth. Also if I was a youth and wanted to hunt every year I would take up archery, this is as close to a guaranteed tag that there is for youth. Last year there were over 3600 tags left over for the youth archery season. Granted they may not all be where you want to hunt but anymore the vast majority of hunters can not hunt in the unit that they want to hunt year after year.

 

[Rooster410]

I concur with the archery opportunity. There are a load of leftover archery youth tags for 2016. I also agree that not everyone gets to hunt "their" area every year. As a father, I am just trying to keep them involved in something I love. mostly frustrated, it will pass.

 

[Tim McCoy]

I understand and feel for you. When OR went to all draw hunts for MD many years ago, many traditional annual family hunts were disrupted, including mine. Lots of unhappy folks. We've had to adjust and try to have about 3 hunts we can do at least 2 of every 3 years, including an out of state hunt, it is not better or worse, just different. After about 3 times in a spot, it seems like it starts to feel good and more like a tradition. Getting ready to start the first of 4 grandsons in two years, so this has been a subject very much on my mind.

For my resident state, OR, we get a few non-hunting family members to accrue points to use with the new hunters. Takes a little planning and some $, but planned right, can practically guarantee annual hunting in a unit that takes 1-2 points. That may be a strategy you could employ for general deer in UT. If they have free licenses for seniors or pioneer type price breaks in UT, a few older non-hunting family members can get points on the cheap...

 

[Rooster410]

For my resident state, OR, we get a few non-hunting family members to accrue points to use with the new hunters. Takes a little planning and some $, but planned right, can practically guarantee annual hunting in a unit that takes 1-2 points. That may be a strategy you could employ for general deer in UT

You were much more accurate in describing the real source of my frustration. The loss of the family tradition and experience. That is the first thing to hold or excite them about the trip. Then hopefully they gain the love for the part of the sportsman.

Your non-hunting family member idea is a great idea. I actually feel foolish for not thinking of it myself. Love it, thank you.

 

[Tim McCoy]

You are welcome. Hope it works out for you as well as it has for us. The rules in OR make it very cost effective, as buying the tag is optional when the non-hunter draws.

 

[JimP]

I have a lifetime license in Utah so I pretty much get to hunt deer every year but my hunting partner is still kicking himself in the rear for not buying one when they were available. But he is out with me every year no matter what. He could care less if he has a license but just enjoys getting out in the hills and seeing the animals. However we do take fishing poles and shotguns just in case we happen upon a pond to see if we can catch dinner or a bird that might show his feathers to us.

Last year when I had my Book Cliff muzzle loader deer tag he was out there with me just enjoying the country and taking photos of all the elk that we found. One day I let him take my wheeler and shotgun to head off and see if he could find some cottontails for dinner while I was out hiking the hills. I came back empty handed but he had 6 rabbits to put into the cooler for Sunday dinner.

I personally think that too many people get too worked up about the hunt and needing a tag every year. In the 30 years that I have had my LL I think that I have only killed 15 or fewer deer. Not because I didn't get a chance but I just didn't pull the trigger and was having too much fun during the hunt helping others get theirs.

 

[Theist]

Buy them a dedicated hunter tag and then they can hunt every year and every season where u want. Just have to give back a little. That's what I have resorted to. Otherwise my kids will be gone and no interest because they only went 2 time from when they were 12.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gr8bawana]

First let me start by applauding the effort to increase the deer population in the state of Utah. I truly look forward to the possible return of the day of quality and quantity deer herds in areas I grew up hunting with my family. Now I know there are youth hunts and I know there are general areas you can draw 100% of the time. I have done this and the quality general deer hunt just hasnt been there. Maybe I just have sour grapes, but its not the first time this scenario has happened.

First of all let me say that we will never return to the quality and quantity of the deer herds of our youth regardless of which state you are from.
You say there are areas you can draw 100% of the time, but the quality isn't there? Qualty for who? I'm sure your sons would rather just be hunting with you for any animal rather than not hunting at all because there are no aminals of the quality you are looking for.

 

[Rooster410]

Qualty for who? I'm sure your sons would rather just be hunting with you for any animal rather than not hunting at all because there are no aminals of the quality you are looking for.

Likelyhood of a return of days of old - agreed, probably not. Otherwise you missed the intent entirely. We have all taken someone new to the outdoors fishing and had little success or not even a bite. It doesn't take long before it is very difficult to get this person (someone who may yet be convinced of the awesomeness of our sport) to want to come fishing with you again. Same idea with hunting. No, it is not always about the kill, the antlers or the size of the animal. Its 100% about the opportunity and what excitement/experience they felt. My post was about the quality general deer hunt. Not necessarily the quality (size) of the animal. Perhaps opportunity would have been a better choice of words. Either way I guarantee this is a frequent issues for families.

 

[Rooster410]

Buy them a dedicated hunter tag and then they can hunt every year and every season where u want. Just have to give back a little. That's what I have resorted to. Otherwise my kids will be gone and no interest because they only went 2 time from when they were 12.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree. Thanks, we'll look into the program.

 

[JimP]

You can't just purchase a "dedicated hunter" license but need to put into the draw for them and if there are no spots available in the unit you want it will go to your second or third choice. Also the service hours may not be very close to where you live which means quite a bit of traveling to get to where you can do your hours and buying out the hours is getting expensive.

 

[Theist]

Your right. JimP. You do have to draw them but typically easy to draw. I've always drawn my first choice on the first year at top general units. My wife did not draw pine valley dedicated hunter this year on her first choice though. 20 bucks per hour. It adds up fast but I want my kids to hunt so I do whatever I can. Cheaper than Cwmu tags or state tags. It is getting to expensive for the blue collar guy. But I do what I can


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk