2016 Saskatchewan Big Game Draw Assessment & Outlook

umchorn2

umchorn2

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Saskatchewan
2016 Sask Big Game Draw opens May 1 - 25.
Looks like it's going to be a really difficult hunt this fall, especially if you're looking for a mature male. All big game numbers are from what I can tell at 6 year lows. Statistics I have been recording from pre season scouting and shed antler hunting to actual fall time in the field big game hunting, observations are the lowest I've seen. The general trend is province wide despite claims of the wildlife department that elk numbers and moose numbers are stable to healthy. Though they admit deer nunbers are down, I can tell you that hunting pressure this year will dramatically lower numbers next year, especially if fawns and does are taken.

In addition to poor numbers of all big game species, ruffed and sharp tailed grouse numbers are very low and my sightings confirm this. Also noted is a lack of coyote sightings. Professional trappers will also attest to the lower population of coyotes across the province as prey species in general are at cyclical lows.

It must also be noted that despite the fragility and fickle population and health of the pronghorn antelope herd, the saskatchewan big game managers continue to offer 225 either ### tags despite the fact that any level of harvest will continue to bring the herd numbers lower.

Please show your support for sustainable big game management practices and do not enter the big game draw this year, or do so only to maintain or improve your standing/placement. Unfortunately we need to be the responsible ones this time around since our resource managers have no clue what's going on.

Thank you,
Jeff
 
umchorn2 said:
2016 Sask Big Game Draw opens May 1 - 25.
Looks like it's going to be a really difficult hunt this fall, especially if you're looking for a mature male. All big game numbers are from what I can tell at 6 year lows. Statistics I have been recording from pre season scouting and shed antler hunting to actual fall time in the field big game hunting, observations are the lowest I've seen. The general trend is province wide despite claims of the wildlife department that elk numbers and moose numbers are stable to healthy. Though they admit deer nunbers are down, I can tell you that hunting pressure this year will dramatically lower numbers next year, especially if fawns and does are taken.

In addition to poor numbers of all big game species, ruffed and sharp tailed grouse numbers are very low and my sightings confirm this. Also noted is a lack of coyote sightings. Professional trappers will also attest to the lower population of coyotes across the province as prey species in general are at cyclical lows.

It must also be noted that despite the fragility and fickle population and health of the pronghorn antelope herd, the saskatchewan big game managers continue to offer 225 either ### tags despite the fact that any level of harvest will continue to bring the herd numbers lower.

Please show your support for sustainable big game management practices and do not enter the big game draw this year, or do so only to maintain or improve your standing/placement. Unfortunately we need to be the responsible ones this time around since our resource managers have no clue what's going on.

Thank you,
Jeff
Click to expand...

I see mule deer and elk all over the place. You're right about white tail but Without a real study we don't know the reality.
 
All depends on where you are located in Saskatchewan, in our area whitetail numbers are improving, although my area wasn't as hard hit in the past as most of Saskatchewan
 
umchorn2 said:
2016 Sask Big Game Draw opens May 1 - 25.
Looks like it's going to be a really difficult hunt this fall, especially if you're looking for a mature male. All big game numbers are from what I can tell at 6 year lows. Statistics I have been recording from pre season scouting and shed antler hunting to actual fall time in the field big game hunting, observations are the lowest I've seen. The general trend is province wide despite claims of the wildlife department that elk numbers and moose numbers are stable to healthy. Though they admit deer nunbers are down, I can tell you that hunting pressure this year will dramatically lower numbers next year, especially if fawns and does are taken.

In addition to poor numbers of all big game species, ruffed and sharp tailed grouse numbers are very low and my sightings confirm this. Also noted is a lack of coyote sightings. Professional trappers will also attest to the lower population of coyotes across the province as prey species in general are at cyclical lows.

It must also be noted that despite the fragility and fickle population and health of the pronghorn antelope herd, the saskatchewan big game managers continue to offer 225 either ### tags despite the fact that any level of harvest will continue to bring the herd numbers lower.

Please show your support for sustainable big game management practices and do not enter the big game draw this year, or do so only to maintain or improve your standing/placement. Unfortunately we need to be the responsible ones this time around since our resource managers have no clue what's going on.

Thank you,
Jeff
Click to expand...

Please post your study and your credentials too back up your claims.
 
My credentials...?
I am basing this years observations on 15 days in the field last year during hunting season that include probably 100 miles walking in numerous PFRA pastures, Fish and Wildlife Development Lands, thousands of kilometers driving which I am not counting and 10 trips this year already with many miles hiked off the quad path so to speak. 25 pounds of shed antlers and only 4 sheds from this year, none of them mature (3.5 yrs or older)...2 moose sheds, no elk and the majority whitetail and mulies.

I also have 25 years hunting experience between Manitoba and Saskatchewan big game, migratory and upland game and also own and manage my own property according to principles outlined in the "quality deer management" and " trophy deer management" philosophies.

What are your credentials?? Do I need a phd and have to work for the province to keep a log of what I see and come up with a management plan? Remember not everyone who changes brake shoes needs to be a mechanic...there are a lot of guys on this site who if given the power could be doing things better than the guys that get a goverment pay cheque to do this kind of thing.
 
Without any skin in the game, as I don't live here but just spend a LOT of time in this province, I do find your outlook a little pessimistic. As others have said regions do matter but depending on where I have been I have seen upwards of 50-60 antelope a day just from the road, and it bears mentioning that last summers numbers included an inordinate amount of fawns. I see sharpies everywhere I go and in better numbers than I ever see in Alberta. Mulies? I have a lot of hunting buddies out this way and the quality and quantity of bucks from the last season would make anyone think Sask must be the best place bar none for good mature deer, and again I would have to reference the easy winter. Anyway this is just an "outsiders" perspective but I think you guys aren't doing too badly.
 
My own observations from the areas I hunt ( 25 days in the field as I'm retired) shows sharptails in serious decline as determined by the number of flocks found and size thereof . I also look for old nests in summer and found less than half what used be present 5 or 6 years ago. Whitetails seem up a bit with fewer mature bucks but I saw a fair number of twins in midwinter which is a good sign for the beginnings of a recovery.
 
umchorn2 said:
My credentials...?
I am basing this years observations on 15 days in the field last year during hunting season that include probably 100 miles walking in numerous PFRA pastures, Fish and Wildlife Development Lands, thousands of kilometers driving which I am not counting and 10 trips this year already with many miles hiked off the quad path so to speak. 25 pounds of shed antlers and only 4 sheds from this year, none of them mature (3.5 yrs or older)...2 moose sheds, no elk and the majority whitetail and mulies.

I also have 25 years hunting experience between Manitoba and Saskatchewan big game, migratory and upland game and also own and manage my own property according to principles outlined in the "quality deer management" and " trophy deer management" philosophies.

What are your credentials?? Do I need a phd and have to work for the province to keep a log of what I see and come up with a management plan? Remember not everyone who changes brake shoes needs to be a mechanic...there are a lot of guys on this site who if given the power could be doing things better than the guys that get a goverment pay cheque to do this kind of thing.
Click to expand...

My credentials, 40 years of hunting experience, upland, migratory, big game and fur bearers.

Shot a mature whitetail buck, moose, limits of upland and migratory birds last fall and 30 coyotes from my doorstep last winter.

My observations show a large population of moose, elk and a growing population of whitetails and mules. The bush rabbit population has exploded and the predators are numerous.

I can change brake shoes too, but am the first to admit I am not an expert and will not disparage the boys who do it for a living. You say you manage your land for "quality deer" and "trophy deer" yet you cannot find signs of either, so really your credentials are meaningless.

I am less than 100 kms from you and have no problem finding large numbers of game of all kinds in my area.



Two young guys got their moose off of my land last fall too.


 
Skhunter,
Your location says Lizard Lake. Not only is Lizard Lake a large community pasture but there are also 3 large indian reserves in the area...Red Pheasant, Mosquito and Grizzly bears head as well as 2 other large pastures. I know the area you speak of because of my time spent in Wilkie...although not as well as you with 40 years in the same area and connections to all the local land owners.

I would be interested to know +- 10% margin of error how many antelope are in your area and what proportion have tags issued. I know there are small herds of pronghorn near wilkie and macklin. I cannot see how any hunting will benefit the numbers of antelope. Why not wait until the herds are double or triple the size? 225 tags either ###...really?

And the elk tags must exceed the pooulation of elk province wide. Is that really sustainable management?

Saskatchewan big game managers have been bought and sold by sask agriculture and SGI so many times they forgot whose interests they represent...
 
Well, thanks for your interpretation, but I will be applying for several tags this year, as I did last year and for the last many years. There are some populations still recovering from the series of tough winters we had, but they are recovering. Moose are so common they are a highway hazard. I really don't know about pronghorn but I prefer to take the managers' word for it. In fact, big game management is never done in the sole interests of hunters and outfitters. The issues of big game management include hunting, but you seem to think that the only reason game exists is for you to hunt it. There are many other reasons to manage game animals properly, and proper management may not suit your personal interests at any given time, without being bad management.

I don't see the situation in Saskatchewan to be as dire as you describe it at all.
 
umchorn2 said:
Skhunter,
Your location says Lizard Lake. Not only is Lizard Lake a large community pasture but there are also 3 large indian reserves in the area...Red Pheasant, Mosquito and Grizzly bears head as well as 2 other large pastures. I know the area you speak of because of my time spent in Wilkie...although not as well as you with 40 years in the same area and connections to all the local land owners.

I would be interested to know +- 10% margin of error how many antelope are in your area and what proportion have tags issued. I know there are small herds of pronghorn near wilkie and macklin. I cannot see how any hunting will benefit the numbers of antelope. Why not wait until the herds are double or triple the size? 225 tags either ###...really?

And the elk tags must exceed the pooulation of elk province wide. Is that really sustainable management?

Saskatchewan big game managers have been bought and sold by sask agriculture and SGI so many times they forgot whose interests they represent...
Click to expand...

Lizard Lake is an actual lake, I live on the lake shore and some of my land surrounds the south end.

Very few antelope in the area and there has never been a season in this zone.

Do you have any real numbers when it comes to Elk populations and the number of tags available or just conjecture?

As a farmer, please tell me how I have bought and sold Sask game managers.
 
I'm not posting to argue numbers. Obviously some areas that are hard to get to or very large areas of unfragmented habitat will be less affected by hunting pressure. If you choose to apply for big game draw go ahead. There will be many trophies taken. The point I am making is that game numbers are down and my survey methods are valid. I highly doubt anyone in the wildlife department has been paying close enough attention to population trends to notice elk and moose tags are still at levels seen when populations were much higher years ago.

If you're one of those people who limit out on birds or tag your big game animal, great. Personally I don't shoot women or children. Fawn and does are safe around me. If I was an Indian, I would have a bull moose and elk many times over but being a white guy I need to apply for a draw. Unfortunately this means I might not get drawn or get drawn in an area that I would prefer not to be drawn for. Seems to me government is operating a gambling ring for profit as every zone you apply for is another $4 on the credit card.

When you apply for a big game tag you should at least realize our government is selling you a chance to shoot an animal that isn't really there. Take a look at some of the tag numbers in some areas...do you really think there are 250 elk in some of the game management zones that have 250 draw tags??

I don't think sask wildlife has flown a survey in years...due to those 2 young resource officers that went down and died in a plane crash. Remember the RCMP ofier that struck a moose on the highway and was killed? Well that resulted in a doubling of the moose tags that year. And the farmers always complain about elk eating their bales...or their canola sprouts. A few hundred bucks in grain eaten...big deal. There are many hunters I know who would compensate farmers for damages and pay a premium for a chance to shoot an elk. Would crop damages even be an issue if I could pay for the damages?
 
Last time I applied I could pick zones by preference but not submit multiple applications for the same species. So it didn't cost another $4 per zone. It's $4/application.
Example:Moose
I applied for either ###, first choice zone 33, second choice 34. That application cost $4 not $8
 
umchorn2 said:
I'm not posting to argue numbers. Obviously some areas that are hard to get to or very large areas of unfragmented habitat will be less affected by hunting pressure. If you choose to apply for big game draw go ahead. There will be many trophies taken. The point I am making is that game numbers are down and my survey methods are valid. I highly doubt anyone in the wildlife department has been paying close enough attention to population trends to notice elk and moose tags are still at levels seen when populations were much higher years ago.

If you're one of those people who limit out on birds or tag your big game animal, great. Personally I don't shoot women or children. Fawn and does are safe around me. If I was an Indian, I would have a bull moose and elk many times over but being a white guy I need to apply for a draw. Unfortunately this means I might not get drawn or get drawn in an area that I would prefer not to be drawn for. Seems to me government is operating a gambling ring for profit as every zone you apply for is another $4 on the credit card.

When you apply for a big game tag you should at least realize our government is selling you a chance to shoot an animal that isn't really there. Take a look at some of the tag numbers in some areas...do you really think there are 250 elk in some of the game management zones that have 250 draw tags??

I don't think sask wildlife has flown a survey in years...due to those 2 young resource officers that went down and died in a plane crash. Remember the RCMP ofier that struck a moose on the highway and was killed? Well that resulted in a doubling of the moose tags that year. And the farmers always complain about elk eating their bales...or their canola sprouts. A few hundred bucks in grain eaten...big deal. There are many hunters I know who would compensate farmers for damages and pay a premium for a chance to shoot an elk. Would crop damages even be an issue if I could pay for the damages?
Click to expand...

The more you post the more uninformed you appear. You come here disputing the health of the moose and elk herds stated by SERM but will not provide any hard numbers to back up your "findings". You talk about your survey methods being valid but refuse to provide your method. When was the last time you did an aerial survey?

Did that picture of my 2015 whitetail look like a doe to you? I have to put in for draws the same as you do. The gov't is in charge of keeping herd numbers sustainable, not managing for trophies. There is nothing wrong with meat hunting, it is both legal and ethical.

If you want to be assured of getting exactly what you want, I would suggest spending your $4.00 at the grocery store.

Do you have proof that there are more tags than animals in some zones? Show me, otherwise it is simply more speculation on your part.

I remember very well the police officer that was killed when he hit the moose. Do you remember the calls from the public that went out for a moose "cull"?

Instead of a cull the gov't did the right thing and handed out more tags and opportunities to hunters willing to make good use of the resource.

The gov't does compensate farmers for crop damage due to wildlife now, it is not an issue for farmers. Any farmer who suffers loss due to wildlife and does not get compensated by gov't has no one to blame but themselves, it is really quite a simple process.
 
The OP is beginning to sound like an anti-hunting troll. Misinformed, making stuff up, and unaware of the way things really work in order to get me to not apply for a draw tag on animals I see almost every time I go to look. We have had moose wandering through town and last year I and my friends lucky enough to get drawn shot three moose and 4 mule deer, all within 15 km of my house. The warnings just don't add up. White tails have been getting harder to find around here for 20 years, but the causes are not hunting pressure.
 
In my area moose populations seem at an all time high. Elk are hit or miss. I do know the FN's get their elk around here every year. There are no pronghorn in my area. Whitetail populations seem maybe a bit lower than last year. Due to the mild winter there were a lot less roadkill and I think there will definately be decent numbers come fall. Coyote populations did seem down, but was it the mild winter and high fur price that caused more people to go out and get some?

The only thing I would like to add is the citidiots who just enter any draw and drive around people's fields without permission should absolutely abstain from the draw.


That's my 2 cents.
 
deer numbers by me have risen just nicely,last weekend i counted 80 deer feeding around
3pm.
elk numbers are through the roof,three herds around 100/150 in each and only one was dropped
last year.the FN hunters have been down all winter trying to thin the herds out a little.

moose numbers are good also.

you would think SERM would shorten the season for everyone,this includes the outfitters.
i cant wait for big game draw this year
 
rral22 said:
The OP is beginning to sound like an anti-hunting troll. Misinformed, making stuff up, and unaware of the way things really work in order to get me to not apply for a draw tag on animals I see almost every time I go to look. We have had moose wandering through town and last year I and my friends lucky enough to get drawn shot three moose and 4 mule deer, all within 15 km of my house. The warnings just don't add up. White tails have been getting harder to find around here for 20 years, but the causes are not hunting pressure.
Click to expand...

Well, if we heed his advice, then he's sure to get drawn in his first choice zone.....
 
Following all those posts OP, I hope you didn't participate to any draws or that would be pretty hypocritical of yourself!

My wife and I applied for Antelope, Moose and Mulie and hope to get drawn. In my area of WMZ 30, the whitetail and mulie population are VERY healthy with a good moose population too! I also have access to a very nice spot in the Saskatoon WMZ with a very healthy deer population and will happily harvest a doe with my resident antlerless tag if I don't get drawn for anything else.

I hunt for food and sport, my wife and I enjoy spending the time outdoors, whether shed hunting or actual hunting (and this year has been good for sheds, the reason we aren't finding many "new" ones is because up to last week some deer still had their headgear).

As for coyotes, their population is more than healthy around here, the fact that they come to within 30-40 yds of the house in broad daylight and that we hear them extremely well all night long attests to that and if you're on FB, you might want to check some of the 306 hunting groups, this winter was a very good one when it came to harvesting yotes!

Anyways, I come from Quebec where hunting is hard for lack of hunting properties and where animals are scarce, it baffles me when people around here say how bad the deer population got, even at your lowest here, it still beats where I'm from on good years...
 
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