Sitkaspruce
Well-Known Member
I know this is a fishing site, but this is too important to not let people know about. If it does not belong on here please let me know and I will delete it.
I recieved this today from a friend in Quesnel
Proposed new hunt regs for Reg 5
Mule Deer Harvest Strategy 2008-2010
Over the past ten years the regional mule deer harvest regulations have varied significantly. The changes have been required to maintain mule deer buck to doe ratios as outlined in the Cariboo Regional Mule Deer Harvest Strategy, increase hunter participation and increase doe harvest in the interest of minimizing human deer conflict. The fact that several of these regulation changes have negatively impacted buck densities serves to illustrate that we are harvesting bucks at close to or above their sustainable yield.
Prior to the 2007 post hunting surveys it was determined that mule deer regulations would remain unchanged for the 2008 season. A static period was needed to determine the effects of previous regulation changes. Amendments to other big game seasons, increased doe harvest opportunities, increased access and increased hunter participation had not been adequately factored in as effects on mule deer buck harvest. The 2007 post hunting surveys indicated dramatic reductions in the buck to doe ratios in all 3 historic survey areas. These reductions meant change would have to be implemented for the 2008 season.
The over harvest issue was addressed at the 2007 Hunting Advisory Board meetings where it was decided a smaller committee would be formed to deal with the mule deer regulation issues. The committee would compromise two guide outfitters, two local ranching/ agricultural producers, two BCWF/resident hunters and one Conservation Officer. The terms of the advisory committee were to be established by the Ministry of Environment. The regional manger would be responsible for the final decision.
To restore the buck to doe ratios to those identified in the Cariboo Regional Mule Deer Harvest Strategy (minimum 20 bucks to 100 does) a short term harvest reduction of 700-1000 mule deer bucks is required. Using harvest data this equivocates to a reduction of at minimum 10 hunting days in the November portion of the season (the highest effort at a time when the bucks are most vulnerable). Ministry representatives established this as the minimum acceptable season reduction. The Ministry also identified that the reductions would be in place for a minimum of two years to enable monitoring of population changes. Further season reductions to expedite recovery, and implementation of the season reduction were left to the committee for recommendation.
Results
Discussions around season length and regulation implementation will be distributed in the meetings minutes. The general consensus from the committee was that the 10 day reduction in the mule deer buck season would not be efficient enough to provide a timely recovery in the buck to doe ratio. Two themes became evident on implementation of the regulations that would be needed to incur the recovery: an LEH system for mule deer to control harvest, or a shorter open season. From a strict biological perspective both of these tools would enable the Ministry to recover mule deer bucks to meet the minimum buck to doe ratios.
The six mule deer buck regulation options the committee tabled were</u>
#1
One deer season September 1 to November 30 for a spike buck,
Second buck available through LEH only High probability the removal of spike bucks only would increase the buck to doe ratio, antler restrictions not preferred as management tool COS raised a concern about the difficulties enforcing an antler restriction, also worried about the component of deer shot and left
Recommendation supported by both guides on the committee if LEH is the chosen management tool Maintains hunting opportunity for the longest period. Open to both guided and resident hunters September 1 to November 30. Difficult to establish guide quota, would guides have to harvest spike bucks also?
#2
One deer season from September 10 to October 31,
Second buck available through LEH in November High probability the LEH system in November would restore buck to doe ratios as harvest in November is controlled Enforceable but LEH zone maps have to be easier to read and interpret. The scale of the LEH would have to be as large as possible ie entire MU or region
Recommendation supported by both BCWF representatives on the committee if LEH is the chosen management tool Limits the amount of hunting opportunity for individuals not drawn but has no antler restrictions. Would increase hunting quality as there would be a decrease in hunter density
#3
One deer season from September 10 to November 10. Closed November 11 to the 20th. Open for 4 point buck only from November 21 to November 30. Moderate to high probability the regulation would increase buck to doe ratios as 10 day closure would protect bucks in the peak of the rut. Recovery would be at a slower pace than other more restrictive seasons. Enforceable, however, some concern hunters who have doe tags will be tempted to harvest trophy animals. Meets minimum requirements to increase buck to doe ratios to required levels. Closure would eliminate all opportunity for both guided and resident hunters during the closed period.
#4
One deer season from September 10 to November 10. Closed November 11 to the 25th. Open for 4 point buck only, from November 26 to November 30 High probability the regulation would increase buck to doe ratios, as 15 day closure would protect bucks in the peak of the rut. Does not fit into the general recommendation that suggest no season be less than 10 days Enforceable, however, some concern hunters who have doe tags will be tempted to harvest trophy animalsRecommendation supported by both BCWF representatives on the committee if season reduction is the chosen management toolMeets requirements to increase buck to doe ratios to required levels. Closure would eliminate all opportunity for both guided and resident hunters during the closed period.
#5
One deer season from September 10 to November 10. Closed for the rest of the season High probability the regulation would increase buck to doe ratios as a 20 day closure would reduce buck harvest in the rut and post rut period Enforceable, however, some concern hunters who have doe tags will be tempted to harvest trophy animals
Recommendation supported by both guides on the committee if season reduction is the chosen management tool Meets requirements to increase buck to doe ratios to required levels. Closure would eliminate all opportunity for both guided and resident hunters during the closed period.
#6
One deer season from September 10 to November 20. Closed for the rest of the season Moderate to high probability the regulation would increase buck to doe ratios as 10 day closure would protect bucks post rut. Recovery would be at a slower pace than other more restrictive seasons. Enforceable, however, some concern hunters who have doe tags will be tempted to harvest trophy animals. Meets minimum requirements to increase buck to doe ratios to required levels. Closure would eliminate all opportunity for both guided and resident hunters during the closed period.
NOTE:
1) The Ministry plans to keep special early buck rifle opportunities in selected regions September 1 to 9 (5-4,5-5,5-6,5-15) ****Except in the case of suggested regulation change number 1 where 1 spike buck would be the only non-LEH deer permitted annually.
2) The Ministry plans to keep special early buck bow hunting opportunities in selected regions September 1 to 9 (5-1,5-2,5-3,5-7,5-8,5-9,5-12,5-13,5-14)
3) The Ministry plans to keep special late buck bow hunting opportunities in selected regions December 1 to 10 (5-1,5-2,5-3,5-4,5-5,5-6,5-13,5-14)
4) The Ministry plans to keep special late buck bow hunting opportunities in selected regions December 1 to December 24 (5-8, 5-11)
5) The Ministry plans to keep the regional mule deer bag limit at 2, with no more than 1 buck to be taken per individual season.
Doe Harvest
The Ministry of Environment commits to continuing with the current mule deer doe LEH seasons. The objective is to reduce the mule deer doe population in areas with high human deer conflicts, such as along highway corridors and in areas where there are significant losses to producers. The program will continue for at least the next two years and will be evaluated seasonally. A stewardship outreach program will be initiated to encourage those hunters who receive LEH doe authorizations to harvest does instead of small bucks.
Please pass this on as this can have a negative affect on all our hunting areas. Contact the local MOE rep/biologist and let them know how you feel.
Thanks
SS
I recieved this today from a friend in Quesnel
Proposed new hunt regs for Reg 5
Mule Deer Harvest Strategy 2008-2010
Over the past ten years the regional mule deer harvest regulations have varied significantly. The changes have been required to maintain mule deer buck to doe ratios as outlined in the Cariboo Regional Mule Deer Harvest Strategy, increase hunter participation and increase doe harvest in the interest of minimizing human deer conflict. The fact that several of these regulation changes have negatively impacted buck densities serves to illustrate that we are harvesting bucks at close to or above their sustainable yield.
Prior to the 2007 post hunting surveys it was determined that mule deer regulations would remain unchanged for the 2008 season. A static period was needed to determine the effects of previous regulation changes. Amendments to other big game seasons, increased doe harvest opportunities, increased access and increased hunter participation had not been adequately factored in as effects on mule deer buck harvest. The 2007 post hunting surveys indicated dramatic reductions in the buck to doe ratios in all 3 historic survey areas. These reductions meant change would have to be implemented for the 2008 season.
The over harvest issue was addressed at the 2007 Hunting Advisory Board meetings where it was decided a smaller committee would be formed to deal with the mule deer regulation issues. The committee would compromise two guide outfitters, two local ranching/ agricultural producers, two BCWF/resident hunters and one Conservation Officer. The terms of the advisory committee were to be established by the Ministry of Environment. The regional manger would be responsible for the final decision.
To restore the buck to doe ratios to those identified in the Cariboo Regional Mule Deer Harvest Strategy (minimum 20 bucks to 100 does) a short term harvest reduction of 700-1000 mule deer bucks is required. Using harvest data this equivocates to a reduction of at minimum 10 hunting days in the November portion of the season (the highest effort at a time when the bucks are most vulnerable). Ministry representatives established this as the minimum acceptable season reduction. The Ministry also identified that the reductions would be in place for a minimum of two years to enable monitoring of population changes. Further season reductions to expedite recovery, and implementation of the season reduction were left to the committee for recommendation.
Results
Discussions around season length and regulation implementation will be distributed in the meetings minutes. The general consensus from the committee was that the 10 day reduction in the mule deer buck season would not be efficient enough to provide a timely recovery in the buck to doe ratio. Two themes became evident on implementation of the regulations that would be needed to incur the recovery: an LEH system for mule deer to control harvest, or a shorter open season. From a strict biological perspective both of these tools would enable the Ministry to recover mule deer bucks to meet the minimum buck to doe ratios.
The six mule deer buck regulation options the committee tabled were</u>
#1
One deer season September 1 to November 30 for a spike buck,
Second buck available through LEH only High probability the removal of spike bucks only would increase the buck to doe ratio, antler restrictions not preferred as management tool COS raised a concern about the difficulties enforcing an antler restriction, also worried about the component of deer shot and left
Recommendation supported by both guides on the committee if LEH is the chosen management tool Maintains hunting opportunity for the longest period. Open to both guided and resident hunters September 1 to November 30. Difficult to establish guide quota, would guides have to harvest spike bucks also?
#2
One deer season from September 10 to October 31,
Second buck available through LEH in November High probability the LEH system in November would restore buck to doe ratios as harvest in November is controlled Enforceable but LEH zone maps have to be easier to read and interpret. The scale of the LEH would have to be as large as possible ie entire MU or region
Recommendation supported by both BCWF representatives on the committee if LEH is the chosen management tool Limits the amount of hunting opportunity for individuals not drawn but has no antler restrictions. Would increase hunting quality as there would be a decrease in hunter density
#3
One deer season from September 10 to November 10. Closed November 11 to the 20th. Open for 4 point buck only from November 21 to November 30. Moderate to high probability the regulation would increase buck to doe ratios as 10 day closure would protect bucks in the peak of the rut. Recovery would be at a slower pace than other more restrictive seasons. Enforceable, however, some concern hunters who have doe tags will be tempted to harvest trophy animals. Meets minimum requirements to increase buck to doe ratios to required levels. Closure would eliminate all opportunity for both guided and resident hunters during the closed period.
#4
One deer season from September 10 to November 10. Closed November 11 to the 25th. Open for 4 point buck only, from November 26 to November 30 High probability the regulation would increase buck to doe ratios, as 15 day closure would protect bucks in the peak of the rut. Does not fit into the general recommendation that suggest no season be less than 10 days Enforceable, however, some concern hunters who have doe tags will be tempted to harvest trophy animalsRecommendation supported by both BCWF representatives on the committee if season reduction is the chosen management toolMeets requirements to increase buck to doe ratios to required levels. Closure would eliminate all opportunity for both guided and resident hunters during the closed period.
#5
One deer season from September 10 to November 10. Closed for the rest of the season High probability the regulation would increase buck to doe ratios as a 20 day closure would reduce buck harvest in the rut and post rut period Enforceable, however, some concern hunters who have doe tags will be tempted to harvest trophy animals
Recommendation supported by both guides on the committee if season reduction is the chosen management tool Meets requirements to increase buck to doe ratios to required levels. Closure would eliminate all opportunity for both guided and resident hunters during the closed period.
#6
One deer season from September 10 to November 20. Closed for the rest of the season Moderate to high probability the regulation would increase buck to doe ratios as 10 day closure would protect bucks post rut. Recovery would be at a slower pace than other more restrictive seasons. Enforceable, however, some concern hunters who have doe tags will be tempted to harvest trophy animals. Meets minimum requirements to increase buck to doe ratios to required levels. Closure would eliminate all opportunity for both guided and resident hunters during the closed period.
NOTE:
1) The Ministry plans to keep special early buck rifle opportunities in selected regions September 1 to 9 (5-4,5-5,5-6,5-15) ****Except in the case of suggested regulation change number 1 where 1 spike buck would be the only non-LEH deer permitted annually.
2) The Ministry plans to keep special early buck bow hunting opportunities in selected regions September 1 to 9 (5-1,5-2,5-3,5-7,5-8,5-9,5-12,5-13,5-14)
3) The Ministry plans to keep special late buck bow hunting opportunities in selected regions December 1 to 10 (5-1,5-2,5-3,5-4,5-5,5-6,5-13,5-14)
4) The Ministry plans to keep special late buck bow hunting opportunities in selected regions December 1 to December 24 (5-8, 5-11)
5) The Ministry plans to keep the regional mule deer bag limit at 2, with no more than 1 buck to be taken per individual season.
Doe Harvest
The Ministry of Environment commits to continuing with the current mule deer doe LEH seasons. The objective is to reduce the mule deer doe population in areas with high human deer conflicts, such as along highway corridors and in areas where there are significant losses to producers. The program will continue for at least the next two years and will be evaluated seasonally. A stewardship outreach program will be initiated to encourage those hunters who receive LEH doe authorizations to harvest does instead of small bucks.
Please pass this on as this can have a negative affect on all our hunting areas. Contact the local MOE rep/biologist and let them know how you feel.
Thanks
SS
