4 pt. minimum whitetail units

[bobcat]

So has anyone made the comparisons yet, between 2010 and 2011 deer harvest in GMU's 117 & 121?

I thought it would be interesting to see how many more 4 point+ bucks were taken.

Just for now, here's unit 117 :

               Does    Bucks    Total     1 pt     2 pt     3 pt    4 pt+
2010-      124       912       1036     112     144     191      465
2011-      121       535         656        0          0         4      531


# of Hunters           2010           2011
Modern Firearm      3810           2964           
Archery                     523             569


So it looks like 66 more 4 point+ bucks were taken, even though there was close to 1000 less modern firearm hunters.

Interestingly, the number of archery hunters increased slightly.

[huntnphool]

Not too surprising really though, those people that shot 3 points or smaller the year before had to pass on them this last year, giving themselves better odds of finding a 4 point.

 Like the saying goes, you can't get a big one if you shoot a small one.

 Even though more 4 points were taken the overall harvest was lower.

[bobcat]

Yes, I agree, it all seems to be about what you would expect.

What will be even more interesting is to compare the data from the adjacent units in which any whitetail buck could be taken. I would expect an increase in the number of hunters, and in the harvest.

[huntnphool]

 The real interesting data will be 5 years down the road when we see if there is a increase in 4 point bucks running around or loads of unhuntable 2 and 3 points.

[bobcat]

True. Even more interesting will be to see if the WDFW turns it into a "Quality" permit unit.   

I looked real quick at the Mt Spokane GMU, and amazingly, the harvest numbers are virtually the same:

Totals of 2,125 deer in 2010 and 2,134 deer in 2011.

[Seabass]

I would argue it is likely that all antler classes will increase in a few years.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

The real interesting data will be 5 years down the road when we see if there is a increase in 4 point bucks running around or loads of unhuntable 2 and 3 points.

I think this is more of a concern with Mule Deer than Whitetail. I have hunted nothing but whitetail my entire life and 15 of those years in here in WA. I can count on two hands the number of 2 1/2+ 3 pt or less whitetail I have seen across the nation and two fingers the number I have seen here in WA.  I think we will undoubtedly see more four point bucks.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I would argue it is likely that all antler classes will increase in a few years.

yeah- I think those units are going to come on strong in a short time.  More bucks, bigger bucks, more bred does...= better hunting.

[BOWHUNTER45]

yeah it will BUT they need to thin down a few more doe.....serious whitetail doe population

[Miles]

I would argue it is likely that all antler classes will increase in a few years.

yeah- I think those units are going to come on strong in a short time.  More bucks, bigger bucks, more bred does...= better hunting.

I had a dream last night too, the only problem is I often struggle when trying to recall the details so precisely.


 

[huntnnw]

this year alone is going to be much better for seeing branch antler bucks..next year should really begin to show the effects

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Not to rain on your parade, but if those "bigger bucks" you claim are going to be the result of this experiment are shot before the rut, how does that equate to 'bigger  and older bucks" at breeding time when they are needed? And if all the bucks that are genetically inclined to grow larger racks are taken out before the rut, who's gonna be left to breed, and what will be the result? Smaller racked bucks will breed and the result will be bucks with genetics for smaller antlers, because having smaller antlers (less points) will become a trait that allows survival through the breeding season.

As was pointed out, if you want to shoot a big buck, you have to pass on the small ones. Some don't care about antler size so they shoot what ever they see first. This allows the big guy who was following the little guy the chance to slip away and survive to breed. Now all hunters are forced to wait and that big guy following the little guy gets shot because he thought it was safe when the little guy wasn't shot at.

I do think this rule will work temporarily, probably just long enough to be put in permanently, then it will start to go downhill, just like what happened in Pennsylvania.

[NWBREW]

Not all four pts. are mature animals. Some could be and are 2 1/2 year olds. I do not believe it will have ANY effect on the older mature bucks. It will just give younger bucks another year or two to grow. There is not and has not been a law that you could not shoot a larger mature animal.

I cannot remember the last time I shot a buck smaller then a 4pt. and I tag out every year AND hunt a unit without pt. restrictions. YES....I pass on smaller bucks almost every year. 

[huntnnw]

 

so tired of hearing about crap across the country blah blah completely different in more ways u will ever count

[Deep Forks]

Not all four pts. are mature animals. Some could be and are 2 1/2 year olds. I do not believe it will have ANY effect on the older mature bucks. It will just give younger bucks another year or two to grow. There is not and has not been a law that you could not shoot a larger mature animal.

I cannot remember the last time I shot a buck smaller then a 4pt. and I tag out every year AND hunt a unit without pt. restrictions. YES....I pass on smaller bucks almost every year. 

Are you hunting private land?  You're talking WTail correct?  If so can an old Muley hunter follow you next year.