OTC Mule Deer tags Sask
- Thread starter scott_r
- Start date
I personally don't believe the OTC tags are a huge reason for any sort of population decline, does anyone have the success rate numbers for archery hunters? In the area I hunt the mulies are doing quite well and are rebounding much faster than the whitetails.
On the other hand, bowhunting is getting more popular as there is more opportunities and a longer season, perhaps the harvest rates are going up, especially as the provinces population slowly increases.
Does the ministry sees something that we aren't noticing and maybe there is a cause for the removal of OTC tags. Regardless of the reasons, guys need to calm down with this "they're taking the season from us!" mentality and open up an actual conversation as to why these changes are coming about. I'm sure they aren't out to make hunters lives hell, they would much rather have our tag revenue rather than deal with removing a season.
I think if there were more opportunities for draw tags or if they lengthened the rifle season for tag holders by removing the OTC tags, I would get behind it
All of this said, I hope the Saskatchewan mule deer season continues as resident only, and we don't allow it to become commercialized by outfitters in the future
On the other hand, bowhunting is getting more popular as there is more opportunities and a longer season, perhaps the harvest rates are going up, especially as the provinces population slowly increases.
Does the ministry sees something that we aren't noticing and maybe there is a cause for the removal of OTC tags. Regardless of the reasons, guys need to calm down with this "they're taking the season from us!" mentality and open up an actual conversation as to why these changes are coming about. I'm sure they aren't out to make hunters lives hell, they would much rather have our tag revenue rather than deal with removing a season.
I think if there were more opportunities for draw tags or if they lengthened the rifle season for tag holders by removing the OTC tags, I would get behind it
All of this said, I hope the Saskatchewan mule deer season continues as resident only, and we don't allow it to become commercialized by outfitters in the future
For those who abide by the rules...
BC has a LEH draw for all Big Game except Cougar and Black Bear plus a general open season in most of the Province ...again for most big game animals that is.
Poachers will be poachers regardless , but my question is " what is the driving force behind such a program ? "
Scott, care to fill the interested non-residents in on the concerns?
Coles Notes version is fine by me.
Rob
From what I gather there is concern with the low deer numbers, very low success rate in the draw ( went from 4 years to 10 + years in many good zones) and a huge influx of new hunters. Archery mule deer hunters can put in for the draw every year, find out their results and still purchase an OTC either ### tag if they dont get drawn. Some people in the SWF would like to see if you apply for the draw you give up your right to buy an OTC either ### tag.
The archery hunters are claiming that success rates are extremely low and that the bad winter kill we had coupled with the CWD kill off is the reason for low mule deer numbers.
Some of the biggest Mule deer in province,,,,if not North America are shot yearly with bow here in the province which adds fuel to the debate.
I could be off here..this is just talking with a few archery guys.. I dont archery hunt much and when I do Im too loud and clumsy to kill anything, just wondering what other CGN'ers thought.
Having OTC tags does not allow any management control of hunting pressure or harvest by zone. Applicants for OTC bowhunting tags have increased dramatically, for a more vulnerable species currently in reduced numbers. Waiting time in Super A pool for draw tags can exceed 10 years.
You do realize there is a much larger group of unregulated "hunters" that has far more impact on numbers than OTC bow hunters. We should be complaining about them, not reducing opportunities for legit bow hunters.
I don't like to see hunting opportunities eroded. Been on a couple archery muley hunts as its the only opportunity to hunt some beautiful country at a great time of year. With Saskatchewan's archaic draw system you have a good chance of never being drawn in your favorite zone. Always have fun and spent lots of money on gear and travel etc. and rarely loose an arrow.
It really bothers me that their reason for changing is that some jealous rifle hunters are complaining about archers shooting "all the deer". Most all bow hunters are looking for a decent buck or go home empty. Either way there is next to zero impact on deer numbers. Most zones have easily drawn multiple doe tags for rifle hunters, and they complain about a few selective bow hunters? Any one who consistently takes good mule bucks with a bow works hard at it, but haters got to hate.
I'm upset with the idea of moving archery moose season to before the rut. A guy has a realistic chance in the last two weeks of sept but I wont bother going earlier.
It does seem like there is an anti archery sentiment somewhere in the system.
It really bothers me that their reason for changing is that some jealous rifle hunters are complaining about archers shooting "all the deer". Most all bow hunters are looking for a decent buck or go home empty. Either way there is next to zero impact on deer numbers. Most zones have easily drawn multiple doe tags for rifle hunters, and they complain about a few selective bow hunters? Any one who consistently takes good mule bucks with a bow works hard at it, but haters got to hate.
I'm upset with the idea of moving archery moose season to before the rut. A guy has a realistic chance in the last two weeks of sept but I wont bother going earlier.
It does seem like there is an anti archery sentiment somewhere in the system.
Every archery hunter i know is after big horns. Year after year we never shoot anything less then a monster.
Also mule deer are damn near retarted. Anyone who cant fill a rifle tag on mule deer arent trying or have no idea what they are doing. Over the counter mule deer tags will wipe them out.
Also mule deer are damn near retarted. Anyone who cant fill a rifle tag on mule deer arent trying or have no idea what they are doing. Over the counter mule deer tags will wipe them out.
The mule deer population in my area of 29/30 is in top shape. I personally don't think archery otc tags are an issue. Most guys, myself included, eat tag soup regularly when it comes to archery mule. It's just nice for us archers to be out there and practice one of the oldest hunting method out there.
Archers aren't a problem, we barely make a dent in the population. People who get drawn and can't shoot anything should blame themselves for ####ty scouting, zero knowledge of the zones they apply in or because they are too lazy to get out of their trucks and walk...
If this does happen, I really hope they create a separate draw for archery mule deer, obviously with better odds than the regular draw...
Archers aren't a problem, we barely make a dent in the population. People who get drawn and can't shoot anything should blame themselves for ####ty scouting, zero knowledge of the zones they apply in or because they are too lazy to get out of their trucks and walk...
If this does happen, I really hope they create a separate draw for archery mule deer, obviously with better odds than the regular draw...
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- Location
- Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Honestly I feel that the motion was put forth by a non bow hunter that was jealous because he sees all of the big deer
Taken with archery tackle and he felt that his odds of shooting a monster would increase of there was no archery season. I feel it's a motion put forth based on emotion rather than science. I've personally written the minister of environment and renewed my sba membership. If it concerns you, you should too. The areas of the province that I hunt have a thriving mule deer herd and were unaffected be the winter kill of 2012/13. The whitetail numbers however are low in these areas.
Taken with archery tackle and he felt that his odds of shooting a monster would increase of there was no archery season. I feel it's a motion put forth based on emotion rather than science. I've personally written the minister of environment and renewed my sba membership. If it concerns you, you should too. The areas of the province that I hunt have a thriving mule deer herd and were unaffected be the winter kill of 2012/13. The whitetail numbers however are low in these areas.
Oooops, missed that part as I skimed over. I've felt the over the counter archery tags are fine. If they want better data then they need to require hunters to report their successful hunts on the nifty HAL system
Bowhunters sure seem like a butthurt bunch of babies over this one. Did you honestly think you'd have OTC tags every year while people in the draw wait up to 10 years for a tag? Of course people are going to speak up against those pulling OTC tags every season. Honestly, who the hell cares what your weapon of choice is! Hunting with a bow shouldn't entitle you to any better hunting opportunity than someone else waiting patiently for a tag. I can understand longer seasons for archery, sure, but bowhunters should not be entitled to more tags than anyone. Time to get off the high horse. For the record, I hunt archery as well, just so people don't think I'm biased.
- Location
- Saskatoon Saskatchewan
So whitetail shouldn't be otc either than.
