predator voucher system

[KFhunter]

If I had my way, I'd make better use of hunters in managing herds.
via a voucher system   

If you want to hunt ungulates, you got to do your part.

How it works;  (the amounts and such are for illustration purposes and would vary depending on location and herd quality)

1 coyote will get you a standard deer voucher, with that voucher you can buy a standard OTC deer tag.   
5 coyote = Elk OTC (spike only)  voucher

1 bear = Elk voucher + Deer voucher (standard OTC type tags).

1 Cougar = Quality Elk + deer voucher
5 Cougar = star voucher (can't sell) for standard tags, but not quality tags (true spikes)

1 wolf = Quality any bull any method Elk tag + deer
5 wolves =  star voucher for life for standard tags (can't sell)  but not quality tags (true spikes). 


This will slow down the number of ungulate hunters and dramatically increase the predator hunting going on = bigger better herds.
right now there is zero incentive for people to go wack a yote, bear cat etc.


Here's the kicker, you can buy vouchers from other hunters!  So you get a very successful coyote hunter he/she could sell those vouchers.  It wouldn't be a "bounty" that way nor would it make use of tax payer funds.


edit:

This voucher system won't work, but there's some good discussion so read through and if you have a good idea let's hear it!
 

[KFhunter]

vouchers would be given after proof of kill similar to bobcat pelt sealing and would just consist of a computer generated code to be entered by the vendor when you purchase the license.

Star vouchers would be attached to your hunter ID and not transferrable.

[snowpack]

I think that would be a good deal, but they would need to keep the predator seasons open year round.

[deaner]

zero incentive to whack a yote bear cat etc?  come on man.  the incentive is knowing it will help the local ungulate herds.  i dished out the cash for multi season deer tag and have still been spending time with a rifle trying to call in a lion when i could be arch deer hunting.  trying to earn my deer.  dont need the state to force me to earn it.

[KFhunter]

ok almost zero 

[KFhunter]

I would suppose in control hunts where there is over population the voucher thing would go out the window,  but those are going to be rarer in the coming years.

[grundy53]

I like the idea!

sent from my typewriter

[Curly]

It's a good idea.  Something needs done to reduce predators.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

If I had my way, I'd make better use of hunters in managing herds.
via a voucher system   

If you want to hunt ungulates, you got to do your part.

How it works;  (the amounts and such are for illustration purposes and would vary depending on location and herd quality)

1 coyote will get you a standard deer voucher, with that voucher you can buy a standard OTC deer tag.   
5 coyote = Elk OTC (spike only)  voucher

1 bear = Elk voucher + Deer voucher (standard OTC type tags).

1 Cougar = Quality Elk + deer voucher
5 Cougar = star voucher (can't sell) for standard tags, but not quality tags (true spikes)

1 wolf = Quality any bull any method Elk tag + deer
5 wolves =  star voucher for life for standard tags (can't sell)  but not quality tags (true spikes). 


This will slow down the number of ungulate hunters and dramatically increase the predator hunting going on = bigger better herds.
right now there is zero incentive for people to go wack a yote, bear cat etc.


Here's the kicker, you can buy vouchers from other hunters!  So you get a very successful coyote hunter he/she could sell those vouchers.  It wouldn't be a "bounty" that way nor would it make use of tax payer funds.

Here's the real kicker. Your idea would never work.

According to the best stats I could find, here's a break down of the number of predators in the state.

Coyotes -------- 50,000
Black bears ---- 30,000
Cougars --------   2,500
Wolves ---------    100 - 200

The only number that looks out of whack by a long shot to me is coyotes. I'd be willing to bet there are closer to 100,000 of the song dogs in this state. Even if I'm right there is a problem if you're giving out deer and elk tags for predators.

In 2012 there were 120,000 deer hunters and 68,000 elk hunters.Together, that's 188,000 tags. Way more than the total # of predators in the state. So even if every predator in the state was killed (which will never happen even if the State said "Go for it!", which it won't) There wouldn't be enough tags to go around by at least 50,000. Add to that figure the 22,000 deer tags purchased that didn't get hunted and the 28,000 elk tags that didn't get hunted, and you've got 100,000 tags that won't be purchased and a bunch of hunting licenses. That's a lot of money the State would have to make up. Most likely by at least doubling the price of licenses and tags to the successful varmint hunters. And you're also going to have a revolt on your hands from the hunters who didn't take a predator so didn't earn a tag.  This plan would get rid of more hunters in a year than the most diabolical plan put out by anti-hunters outside of an outright ban on hunting!
 

[KFhunter]

If I had my way, I'd make better use of hunters in managing herds.
via a voucher system   

If you want to hunt ungulates, you got to do your part.

How it works;  (the amounts and such are for illustration purposes and would vary depending on location and herd quality)

1 coyote will get you a standard deer voucher, with that voucher you can buy a standard OTC deer tag.   
5 coyote = Elk OTC (spike only)  voucher

1 bear = Elk voucher + Deer voucher (standard OTC type tags).

1 Cougar = Quality Elk + deer voucher
5 Cougar = star voucher (can't sell) for standard tags, but not quality tags (true spikes)

1 wolf = Quality any bull any method Elk tag + deer
5 wolves =  star voucher for life for standard tags (can't sell)  but not quality tags (true spikes). 


This will slow down the number of ungulate hunters and dramatically increase the predator hunting going on = bigger better herds.
right now there is zero incentive for people to go wack a yote, bear cat etc.


Here's the kicker, you can buy vouchers from other hunters!  So you get a very successful coyote hunter he/she could sell those vouchers.  It wouldn't be a "bounty" that way nor would it make use of tax payer funds.

Here's the real kicker. Your idea would never work.

According to the best stats I could find, here's a break down of the number of predators in the state.

Coyotes -------- 50,000
Black bears ---- 30,000
Cougars --------   2,500
Wolves ---------    100 - 200

The only number that looks out of whack by a long shot to me is coyotes. I'd be willing to bet there are closer to 100,000 of the song dogs in this state. Even if I'm right there is a problem if you're giving out deer and elk tags for predators.

In 2012 there were 120,000 deer hunters and 68,000 elk hunters.Together, that's 188,000 tags. Way more than the total # of predators in the state. So even if every predator in the state was killed (which will never happen even if the State said "Go for it!", which it won't) There wouldn't be enough tags to go around by at least 50,000. Add to that figure the 22,000 deer tags purchased that didn't get hunted and the 28,000 elk tags that didn't get hunted, and you've got 100,000 tags that won't be purchased and a bunch of hunting licenses. That's a lot of money the State would have to make up. Most likely by at least doubling the price of licenses and tags to the successful varmint hunters. And you're also going to have a revolt on your hands from the hunters who didn't take a predator so didn't earn a tag.  This plan would get rid of more hunters in a year than the most diabolical plan put out by anti-hunters outside of an outright ban on hunting!

now we're talking,  was just an idea floated to get the conversation started.  Also I don't believe those number you posted for a second, I know they're probably the best out there but they are very subjective.  It's easier to keep track of deer/elk populations then control all predators related to that species until the numbers are back up.



Another idea, instead of vouchers add points for predators for quality hunt draws.  Kill a cat, get a point added you can put towards a quality elk draw.


Anyone else got any ideas?
We're fast heading towards a predator pit, we've got to get hunters out there controlling the populations.

[snowpack]

I kind of like the points toward the draw better.  Keeps hunters in the game, and gives a little more incentive to kill predators.  I do think cougar and bear should be unlimited for a hunter--let the guys that like to kill them get as many as they want (still a small number).

[summertime blues]

Not to hijack the thread but think of the money the state could generate (then waste) by selling wolf raffle tickets not that anyone would ever want to shoot one of the cute lovable little creatures

[Special T]

Sorry the cougar stats are WAY low. that 2500 number is adult cougars above the age of 2 the real number is 2x that. Just ask Kain. He has posted up here the real stats for cats and points out how the state is under reporting them.

This state is all about protecting predators, not making them easier to kill. 

[KFhunter]

This discussion has gone no where, predators are not on the minds of the average 1 trip a year deer hunter sadly.



We'll see deer/elk go more and more to permit draws and OTC hunting decline, still very few hunters will do their part to cull predators.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Even if it's double there still is far from enough predators to accomplish the OP's goal.