SRD giving out less tags in Alberta?

[kjacko99]

I have been noticing fewer "sure thing" draws in areas we usually hunt. It used to be, the mulie doe tags were a gimmie. This year only one of our 6 person hunting group was drawn.

It has gone from every 3 years to every 5 for bucks! Was it a hard winter for the deer, cuz from my trip out there last week the farmers don't see a big drop in numbers.

 

[Jwirecom109]

I know the area that i usally hunt mule deer in they gave almost no draws and even open season on white tail was 3 per hunter and now 1 per cause of cougars, but overall, no one i knew got draws.

 

[Big Jon]

Perhaps there is more applicants in the zones you hunt now? You can go to My Wild Alberta and follow draw stats...I don't think you'll be able to look at anything prior to 2010 though.

 

[sheephunter]

The winter took its toll. Less animals means less tags.

 

[kevguy]

I have been noticing fewer "sure thing" draws in areas we usually hunt. It used to be, the mulie doe tags were a gimmie. This year only one of our 6 person hunting group was drawn.

It has gone from every 3 years to every 5 for bucks! Was it a hard winter for the deer, cuz from my trip out there last week the farmers don't see a big drop in numbers.

Nobody I know got tags either. They for sure gave out less.

 

[Camo tung]

I think it's your zone/species. I got drawn again this year on a priority 1.
As mentioned before, follow the zone#/%drawn stats, easy to target areas with low interest.

 

[rookie wildcat]

Only thing I needed a draw for, and didn't get, was moose. Everything else is on a general tag. Whitetail, mule, elk.
Perhaps you need to move up where there is less pressure.

 

[Tumbleweed]

They're under a lot of pressure from body shop owners....if the road kill stats fall to below one deer per km./year, the economy suffers.

 

[tigrr]

I noticed that in a area I hunted and later found out the guides and outfitters recieved the most draws for that area. One guide was said to have a surplus of mulie buck, moose and whitetail doe, after the season ended.
You might want to check that out.

 

[sheephunter]

I noticed that in a area I hunted and later found out the guides and outfitters recieved the most draws for that area. One guide was said to have a surplus of mulie buck, moose and whitetail doe, after the season ended.
You might want to check that out.

Outfitters only get about 10% of the permits in a WMU.....that can vary a bit but I've never heard of them getting more than residents. We had a tough winter folks and a heavy winter kill. SRD adjusted the tag numbers accordingly. It's as simple as that.

 

[guido]

srd adjusted the tag #'s for residents. Tough to do for outfitters as they have hunts booked well in advance.

 

[Suka]

Sheephunter's got it. In the SE corner the last 2 years took their toll, and last year was especially hard.

I'm sure it varies from area to area but remember SRD cannot afford to do counts in all wmu's. Be sure to fill out your hunter survey accurately after the end of the season.

Personally I think SRD has been doing an exceptional job of managing our hunting opportunities; balancing the ever increasing demand with both draw, and general tag availability. Not to mention bird season. Also keep in mind our population is increasing daily, and an awful lot of the young men who've moved here for jobs have brought their 30-06 with them.

I don't know anything about outfitters or even SRD for that matter.

If you didn't get drawn there's always general tags. You still have a choice of buck/doe mule/whitetail, bull elk, bear, cougar, coyote, wolf, sheep, did I miss any?

 

[woodchopper]

I got 2 draws this year Mule Buck in 508 and Bull Moose in 510

So September season in 508 and November in 510

but I'm going to be short a hunting partner this year

 

[kjacko99]

I guess so much for the global warming BS. I would prefer if SRD played it a little safer with the numbers. We don't need a problem like they have in Sask. I guess the mulie buck I have been watching will get a little bigger before I get a shot at him. Good luck this season gents!

 

[Duffy]

I guess so much for the global warming BS.


Ha ha ha! What is that supposed to mean???

Are you one of those people who looks out the window in Jan. and says "duh, its cold outside so global warming is B.S."?

Sorry, off topic, the both of us.

I got a mule deer buck draw but in "west-central" Alberta. I would rather get a tag close to home where I can spend a lot of time hunting a buck, than draw a tag in the south-east where locating a big mule deer may be easier but I could only hunt there a few days.

It is a November regular season zone so I will be able to spend some time in there with my bow and at least do a heap of scouting for the rifle season.

 

[prosper]

I spend a fair bit of time camping in or driving through the areas where we usually hunt. There is an abundance of wildlife there - I've never seen so many elk, moose and bear around these places before, and yet still can't get drawn. My dad has hunted these areas for the past 30+ years, and he also tells me that there's more game around than there ever has been before.

 

[altagunguy]

I have noticed that as Edmonton and Calgary have grown, the hunting pressure has increased. Higher human population also reduces breeding habitat and increases vehicle collisions. You may have to get further away to get better results. I have had some great hunts the last couple of years in the Northern parts of the province.

 

[rautenstrauchc]

I've noticed this thread popping up on a couple boards that I frequent. The consensus seems to be that a harsh winter has severly hurt the populations especally in the southern zones. WMU 100's 200's and southern 300's (Someone was even pri 12 and didnt get drawn) I myself got a mule doe but no buck in 357 this is the second year that I drew for it (not bragging or anything).