Re: Close any buck general open seasons in the East Okanagan and Kootenays
Originally Posted by
6616
I think the biologists in Cranbrook were also suspicious of the data set for MU 4-03, especially in light of the high fawn ratio. Also to actually think it was the any buck season that was entirely responsible is probably wrong as well since 4-03 is the heaviest hunted MU in all of region 4 and is flooded by cow elk hunters for a good portion of the hunting season, and probably had a lower than average buck ratio long before the any buck season started. Surprizing how many people believe a population crash could be driven by a bucks only harvest.
Part of the big picture is we do need a BC based model for mule deer inventory. One of the areas we hunt they didn't even find a deer. I can go out in Nov and see 50 a day no problem. Buddies were in there this year again and still seeing lots of mule deer and lots of bucks.
The ratios, particularly in treed areas, are definitely low. Having said that I still support observed ratios to trigger management changes, at least until we come up with a proper model. Would hate to talk out of both sides of my mouth.
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